Islam allows men to beat wives, forsake them in bed should they need discipline, says Saudi family therapist

London: The right way to discipline a wife for a Muslim man is to beat them with a “toothpick or handkerchief”, or “forsake them in bed”, advises a Saudi therapist, saying that it's a 'thorny' issue, but “Allah willing, we will cross this bridge safely”.

In a video, Khaled Al-Saqaby advises Muslim men the correct way to “discipline their wives” involving three courses of action - first “talk to them”, then “forsake them in bed” and finally “beat them”.

Al-Saqaby said that wives “undoubtedly” cause problems as they “want to live a life of equality with their husbands”, which is a “very grave problem”.

But he said that the husbands must do it safely and according to Islam.

“I believe the problem arises when husbands do not understand how to deal with disobedience.

“Some women disobey their husbands and make mistakes with them, and their husbands think this is due to inadequate treatment,” MailOnline quoted him as saying in the video.

Al-Saqaby further explained how “men should remain sharing a bed with their wives but turn their back on them, rather than one of the couple sleeping in a different room or on the floor.

“As a woman once told me, this is the most ingenious way to discipline a wife.

“If the husband leaves the room it is easier for her than if he remains but turns his back to her or if he sleeps on the floor or vice versa.”

But the final course of action is physical, said Al-Saqaby, stressing that it should not be a way for a husband to “vent one's anger”.

“Women have to understand the aim is to discipline. The necessary Islamic conditions for beating must be met,” he added.

The video was recorded in February but was released this week via the Washington DC-based Middle East Media Research Institute, according to Mail.