Whenever a woman rebels against a man or opposes him in regards to what he is entitled to, she must be disciplined with the permission of Allah Mighty and Sublime. This consists in him admonishing her verbally; but if she persists in opposition, he is to abandon her in bed. And if she persists still, he is to beat her with a beating that is not severe, one or two lashings or a small additional number. The Prophet (SAW) said: Do not beat more than ten lashings except for one of the legal punishments [hudud] of Allah Mighty and Sublime.
It is ascertained of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that he did not ever beat any of his women; one must be aware that anyone for whom threats and intimidation are not effective, neither will the whip deter him. It may be that gentleness is more well-advised than beating; indeed beating makes a stray heart turn away even more.