al-Nushūz is interpreted in four ways:
1. al-Nushūz is used in the sense of a woman rebelling against or disobeying her husband, as in the following verse:
"Admonish those women whose nushūz (i.e., whom you know to be rebelling against or disobeying their husbands), [then] forsake them in bed, and [finally] strike them. But if they obey you, seek no means against them. Surely Allah is Most High, Most Great." (al-Nisāʾ 4:34)
2. The word al-Nushūz is used in the sense of a husband preferring one of his wives over the other(s), as in the following verse:
"If a woman fears nushūz or aversion from her husband (i.e., if she knows that he prefers his other wives over her), there is no blame upon them if they make terms of settlement between them; and settlement is best." (al-Nisāʾ 4:128)
3. al-Nushūz is used in the sense of standing up or rising, as in the following verse:
"When you are told, 'Unshuzū' (i.e., rise, stand up from where you are sitting), then fan-shuzū (i.e., immediately rise up from where you are sitting)..." (al-Mujādila 58:11)
4. al-Nushūz is used in the sense of giving life or reviving, as in the following verse:
"Look at the bones—how We nushūz them (i.e., how We give them life)." (al-Baqara 2:259)