The Imam who wrote a book on how to beat your wife without leaving marks was ordered by a Spanish judge to read the Spanish constitution in order to “re-educate” himself.

The judge told Mohamed Kamal Mustafa, imam of a mosque in the southern resort of Fuengirola, to spend six months studying three articles of the constitution and the universal declaration of human rights.

Mr Kamal was sentenced to 15 months in jail and fined £1,500 last year after being found guilty of inciting violence against women. However, despite objections from Spain’s socialist government, a judge released him after 22 days in jail on condition that he undertake a re-education course.

A commission recommends that imams should speak Spanish and have a basic knowledge of human rights and Spanish law.

In his book Women in Islam, published four years ago, Kamal wrote that according to Islamic law, a disobedient wife could be beaten.

“The blows should be concentrated on the hands and feet using a rod that is thin and light so that it does not leave scars or bruises on the body,” he wrote.

Of course having a “basic knowledge of human rights” does not equate not advocating the beating of women and I would presume this Imam’s religious beliefs that it is right to beat women will override anything he reads in the document. Nevertheless, it might do some good, however I still believe this may have the adverse effect the judge in this case is hoping for.