Actually what that cleric says is in total agreement with what Islam allows.
In most improvised Muslim communities, women are beaten like animals and treated like slaves. That's because technically Islam gives provisions for beating your wife.
However, while Islam does allow the husband to beat his wife, its in no way should be torture or cause harm.
The main reason behind the cleric giving instructions is to make it clear what you can and what you can't do when you're willing to go ahead with beating your wife.
Some of the highlights from the speech of the cleric in accordance with Islamic teachings:
- ''Light Beatings.''
- ''Beating in the face is forbidden, even when it comes to animals.''
- ''Beating is meant to convey: Woman, it has gone too far, I can't bear it anymore.''
- ''He should beat her in places where it would not cause any damage.''
Hey, we are dealing with a religion that was pioneered 1400 years ago. How can we expect it to keep up with the morals of today's world?
I personally think raising your hand over a woman is the lousiest and most degrading thing a man can do. But its a product of my morals and what my culture taught me.
While I don't blame the religion for having provisions for beating the wife, I don't support it in any ways either.
But I just think its important to consider the context and facts before passing judgment.