[Thread: Wife Beating & Islam]
Opinions of famous classical Muslim scholars.

Imam Al-Desouki:
If the wife claims she has been beaten in transgression and the husband claims otherwise, then the wife is to be believed and the husband is to be reprehended (rebuked, …) by the judge

Imam Al-Desouki:
And if proof for transgression is shown and the wife wants to remain with him, then the judge is to beat the husband.

Imam Al-Desouki:
If the husband believes that his wife will not stop rebelling except by beating, then he’s not allowed to beat her.

Ibn Hajar Al Haithami:
If a husband knows that beating isn't helpful, then it becomes haram.

Al-Shafi‘i:
Beating is allowed, but avoiding it is better.

Maliki opinion:
Beating is allowed ONLY if it delivers the benefit intended from it. If it doesn't, then it's haram.

Ibn Hazm:
A wife has the right to divorce herself and right to retribution (or retaliation) if her husband beats her violently.

He is not allowed to beat his wife violently even if he knows she won’t stop rebelling by no other means and...