Much has been made of the following verse recently
(here LGF) and
(here DW), and I agree with it.
"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, do not seek against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High, Great (above you all)." [Qur'an 4:34].
I also shake my head at the lack of uproar from the feminist left for the tone of the verse. Clearly the status of women is below that of men and matter of factly they are to be disciplined at the discretion of men. This view is clearly unacceptable to most westerners, but since it is in the Qur'an, Muslims believe that it is the law of Allah. They cannot question what is written in the Qur'an.
