Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff is no “extremist.” She is merely repeating mainstream Islamic teachings.

Women are abused in all cultures. However, only in Islam is the abuse of women given the sanction of the almighty, so that the perpetrators can go away feeling righteous. The Qur’an teaches that men are superior to women and should beat those from whom they “fear disobedience”: “Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” — Qur’an 4:34

Muhammad’s child bride, Aisha, says in a hadith that Muhammad “struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: ‘Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?’” — Sahih Muslim 2127

“Malaysia’s minister for women tells husbands to beat their ‘stubborn’ wives for ‘unruly’ behavior,” by John Cody, Remix, February 16, 2022:

A Malaysian government minister has been accused of normalizing domestic violence after encouraging husbands to beat their “stubborn” wives if their behavior continues to disappoint them.

In a video posted on her Instagram, Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, the Islamic country’s deputy minister for women, family and community development, provided what she called “tips” for husbands dealing with “unruly” partners.

Siti Zailah suggested a three-step approach for husbands in handling difficult wives, the first of which consisted of speaking to them and informing them of their need for greater discipline. Should this not prove successful, the female government minister advised husbands to sleep apart from their wives for three nights, to show their dissatisfaction with their partner’s behavior.

“However, if the wife still refuses to take the advice, or change her behavior, or does things against Allah’s commands after the sleeping separation, then the husbands can try the physical touch approach, by striking her gently, to show his strictness and how much he wants her to change,” Siti Zailah claimed in the video.

The deputy minister for women and family also offered some words of wisdom for wives of men in the strict, Islamic nation, suggesting they only speak to their husbands when “they are calm, finished eating, have prayed and are relaxed.

“When we want to speak, ask for permission first,” Siti Zailah added.