[Islam Study] Abuse Of Women

Here are details on the three specific items, based on whether they derive primarily from Hadith/Sunnah (not the Quran itself).

Women covering their bodies and faces.

Stoning women for adultery.

Permission of pedophilia and child marriage.

1. Women covering their bodies and faces (e.g., full hijab, niqab/burqa/face veil)

• Quranic basis: The Quran commands modesty for women, including lowering the gaze, guarding private parts, not displaying adornments except what is apparent, and drawing veils (khimar) over bosoms/chests (24:31), and drawing outer garments (jilbab) over themselves when outside for protection and recognition (33:59). These emphasize covering the body modestly, guarding chastity, and avoiding harassment, but do not explicitly require covering the face or hair specifically. Many interpretations (including some classical and modern) see the face and hands as "apparent" (what is normally shown), so face covering is not mandated by the text alone.
• Hadith basis: The requirement for face covering (niqab) comes from Hadith interpretations and certain scholarly views (e.g., some narrations where women covered faces after verses were revealed, or analogies from hijab commands). For example, Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari describe women responding to revelation by covering more extensively, and some scholars (like in islamqa.info) argue it implies face covering via extension of chest/neck commands. However, other Hadith (e.g., in Bukhari and Muslim) prohibit women from covering faces during ihram (pilgrimage state), implying the face is not always 'awrah (must be covered). Face veiling is thus a cultural/traditional practice in many societies, strongly supported by Hadith-based fiqh (jurisprudence), but not explicitly from the Quran—leading to debate (some see it obligatory, others recommended or cultural).

2. Stoning women (or men) for adultery (rajm)

• Quranic basis: The Quran prescribes 100 lashes for those guilty of zina (unlawful sexual intercourse, including adultery/fornication): "The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse—lash each one of them with a hundred lashes..." (24:2). It makes no distinction for married vs. unmarried in the punishment text and does not mention stoning (rajm) at all for this crime. No verse commands stoning for adultery.
• Hadith basis: Stoning for married adulterers is derived exclusively from Hadith. Multiple authentic narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and others describe cases where the Prophet ordered or carried out stoning (e.g., for married individuals who confessed or were proven guilty via witnesses). Hadith also reference a "verse of stoning" that was recited but not included in the final Quran (abrogated in recitation but ruling retained, per some reports from Umar and others). This is why stoning is part of traditional hudud (fixed punishments) in classical fiqh, but critics (including Quran-focused views) argue it contradicts the explicit Quranic punishment of flogging.

3. Permission of pedophilia and child marriage

• Quranic basis: The Quran sets no minimum age for marriage explicitly. It emphasizes maturity for responsibilities (e.g., orphans reaching "marriageable age" or maturity before handling property, 4:6), and marriage should involve consent and fairness (e.g., 4:19, no forced inheritance-like coercion). It does not endorse or detail child marriage, nor does it permit sexual relations with prepubescent children (it condemns harm and injustice broadly). No verse commands or allows marriage/consummation at a young age.
• Hadith basis: The most cited basis for child marriage (and accusations of pedophilia) comes from Hadith about Aisha's age. In Sahih al-Bukhari (e.g., 5134, 5133) and Sahih Muslim, narrations attributed to Aisha state the Prophet married her at 6 years old and consummated at 9. These are widely accepted in Sunni tradition as authentic, influencing historical and some modern views on permissible marriage age (post-puberty, but with young betrothal allowed). Critics and some modern scholars question these reports' historicity or context (cultural norms of the time, possible misreporting), but they remain the primary source for justifying early marriage in conservative interpretations—not the Quran.

In summary:

• Full face covering (niqab) → Primarily Hadith/scholarly extension, not Quranic mandate.
• Stoning for adultery → Exclusively Hadith (with claims of abrogated verse), contradicts Quranic flogging.
• Child marriage/young consummation → Based on Hadith about Aisha, not Quranic command.