ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ وَبِمَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ ۚ فَٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتُ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٌ حَـٰفِظَـٰتٌ لِّلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَٱلَّـٰتِى تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَٱهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِى ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا 34
Translations
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allāh has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allāh would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them [lightly]. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allāh is ever Exalted and Grand.
Transliteration
Ar-rijālu qawwāmūna 'alan-nisā'i bimā fadhdala Allāhu ba'dahum 'alā ba'd wa-bimā anfaqū min amwālihim. Fās-sālihātu qānitātun hāfizātun lil-ghaybi bimā hafiza Allāh. Wa-allatī takhāfūna nushūzahunna fa'izūhunna wa-hjurūhunna fī al-madāji'i wa-adribūhunna. Fa-in ata'nakum falā tabghū 'alayhinna sabīlā. Inna Allāha kāna 'aliyyan kabīrā.
Tafsir (Explanation)
Men are guardians/maintainers (qawwāmūn) over women due to the superiority Allah has granted some over others and because men spend from their wealth for family provision. Righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding the unseen (their honor and marital duties) as Allah has protected them. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this qawwāmūn (guardianship) establishes male responsibility for provision and leadership within the family structure. The ayah addresses marital discord (nushūz) with graduated measures—admonition, separation in bed, and striking (interpreted by most scholars as light, non-injurious discipline)—while commanding men not to wrong their wives if they obey.
Revelation Context
This Medinan surah addresses the organized community (ummah) and its social laws. This particular ayah establishes the family as a foundational unit of Islamic society, with clear roles and responsibilities. It is believed to have been revealed to address marital disputes and establish procedures for their resolution within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of you are those who are best to their wives' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3895). Additionally, 'Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his wife; he should treat her kindly' (Sunan Ibn Majah 1977), emphasizing the protective and kind treatment obligatory upon husbands despite their guardianship role.
Themes
Key Lesson
While this ayah establishes distinct family roles, it must be understood within Islam's broader ethical framework emphasizing kindness, consultation (shūrā), and mutual respect—the Prophet ﷺ exemplified gentleness with his wives, and interpreters stress that any discipline must be non-harmful and a last resort, reflecting Islam's commitment to protecting women's dignity and preventing abuse.