Proper Islamic beating

Toronto Sun via Instapundit:

A local bookstore has “sold out” of a controversial marriage guide that advises Muslim men on how to beat their wives.

The 160-page book, published by Idara Impex in New Delhi, India, is written by Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, who’s described in the book’s foreword as a “prolific writer on almost every topic of Islamic learning.”

Saudi Arabia had two TV channels. They were creatively called channel 1 and channel 2. The first one had Arabic programming while the second had English. I used to watch channel 2 which had a TV show about Islamic advice -- a "learned" Arab would answer questions sent in by viewers of the show.

Of course, one day, a question about the proper beating of a wife popped up. The response by the Arab guy was fascinating -- methodical, scientific, emotionless. He said that hitting the wife on the face was not a good idea; others will be able to see it and that'll be extra shameful for the wife. He said that one has to be careful to not break bones; we're trying to train her to be a good wife, not maim her. He described what kind of objects are suitable for beating. Don't remember exactly what he recommended but probably a plastic hanger is okay; a cast iron pan is going over the top, etc.

So, this book and its content is not a surprise. If anything, the author, a Maulana!, deserves points for honesty. He can collect the prize in hell.