Re: does Islam allow beating up of women
I have this book by Imam Al Ghazali (ra). It is a thematic commentary on the Qur'an. Regarding this particular ayah however, he says:-
Islam prescribes a gradual solution. The first step, for simple advice and gentle persuasion, followed by a temporary cessation of sexual contact, and then, and only then, permits resort to physical measures. The main condition attached to this last method is that physical punishment must be moderate and should not in any way touch the face or harm it. Looking closely to the Sunnah of the Prophet Salallah aleihi wassalam, however, I cannot find a justification for this last measure except when the wife refuses her husband's bed, or brings male outsiders into their home, both of which represent, as we can see, very serious problem indeed.
This book is called "A thematic commentary on the Qur'an", written by Sheikh Muhammad al Ghazali and translated by Ashur A.Shamis.