Family Leadership: Qawamah (An Obligation to Fulfill, Not an Excuse to Abuse)

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• Author: Um Fatima (Canada)
  Much has been said about the power imbalance between husbands and wives who follow Islam. Among the chief critiques - that Islam condones the beating of wives for any type of disobedience.
  
  "Family Leadership" addresses this issue head-on, presenting various analysis and translations of the controversial verse in the Quran that supposedly gives men a licence to hit their wives.
  
  In fact, the book unequivocally points out the absolute fallacy of that understanding and raises some interesting, and rarely heard, explanations for the verse that shed light on the actual meaning and misunderstanding surrounding this topic.
  
  From there, Dr. Mohamed Rida Beshir (co-author of several important books on marriage and raising children), goes on to explore the true meaning of "Qawamah" in Islam through presenting day-to-day stories of spousal interactions that illustrate the proper or improper use of the benign leadership role entrusted to male partners.
  
  The book emphasizes that the aim of marriage in Islam is one that seeks to create harmony and mutual respect in the home, not dictatorship and blind allegiance.
  
  This book is a necessary read for anyone who is in a marital relationship, or who is contemplating marriage. It is also a book that Muslim spiritual leaders should read and provide for congregations, as well as to social services in their communities who deal with abused women, some of whom are Muslim.
  
  Dr. Beshir presents a clear renunciation of any kind of physical or mental abuse perpetuated against women in the name of Islam, and provides strong support for healthy, wholesome relationships meant to protect the peaceful and productive union between both partners.