Finally they should 'beat their wives' but 'not to vent their anger'

Then men should 'forsake their spouses in bed' by turning backs on them

A Saudi family therapist has released a video on the 'correct way' for Muslims to 'discipline their wives' - but advised doing so using a toothpick or handkerchief.

Khaled Al-Saqaby released the footage earlier this year and admitted on camera it was a 'thorny' issue, adding: 'Allah willing, we will cross this bridge safely'.

Mr Al-Saqaby urges men not to physically abuse their wives but pursue three courses of action should they need 'discipline' - first talk to them, then 'forsake them in bed' and finally beat them.

He said wives 'undoubtedly' caused problems because many 'want to live a life of equality with their husbands', which is a 'very grave problem'.

Saudi family therapist Khaled Al-Saqaby, pictured, released a video advising husbands on how to 'properly discipline their disobedient wives'

He said women 'undoubtedly' cause problems and in some cases provoke their husbands to hit them

Sitting in an unknown woodland location, he explains why men may need to discipline their wives but outlines how to do it safely and according to Islam.

In the video, he says: 'I am aware that this issue is a thorny one which contains many hazards, but Allah willing we will cross this bridge safely.

'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 [of disobedience].'

He added: 'The first step is to remind her of your rights and of her duties according to Allah. Then comes the second step - forsaking her in bed.

'Here some husbands make mistakes which might exacerbate the problem.'

Mr Al-Saqaby goes on to explain 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.

Mr Al-Saqaby says beating should be the last resort and is not to 'vent one's anger' but to impose discipline

He added necessary conditions must be met and that it should be done with a sewak tooth stick or a handkerchief

He said: '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.'

Finally comes physical action, although Mr Al-Saqaby stresses it should not be a way for a husband to 'vent one's anger'.

He said: 'Women have to understand the aim is to discipline. The necessary Islamic conditions for beating must be met.

'The beating should not be performed with a rod, nor should it be a headband, or a sharp object which, I am sad to say, some husbands use.

'It should be done with something like the sewak tooth-cleaning twig or with a handkerchief, because the goal is to merely make the wife feel that she was wrong in the way she treated her husband.'

The first step in his advice on dealing with 'disobedient wives' is to 'advise them' on their duties

If this does not work, the next stage is to 'forsake her in bed' where a husband turns his back on his wife

Mr Al-Saqaby adds there are some situations where a wife may hit her husband because of the 'faulty upbringing of some husbands' who may have seen their fathers hit their wives and be 'imitating their behaviour'.

But he added women seeking equality with their husbands was one of the main reasons for a husband's need to discipline them.

He said: 'This is a very grave problem. In addition, sometimes a woman makes a mistake that may lead her husband to beat her.

'I'm sad to say there are some women who say "Go ahead. If you are a real man, beat me." She provokes them.'