There are clear rules in islam. One can't just go around executing people. This creates anarchy. The applicaiton of any penalty is carried out qadhi (judge). As for hitting wife, do you know what it entails. One can't go around beating their disobidnet wife willynilly. There are seleveral steps and rules has to be applied before one takes this drastic measures. And even if it is taken, brusing ones wife is classed as oppression in Islam. Rasullah (SAW) said to the nearest efect Í am best among you because I am good to family/women folks'. Islam caters for all situation.