Rulings of Women

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) conveys a message regarding how women should be treated. He reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked them to accept his advice that they should treat women in a kind and good manner. This is because women are characterized by some deficiency in their reason, religion, thinking, and all of their affairs, since they were created from a rib. To clarify, Allah created Adam (peace be upon him) from dust without father and mother. When Allah, the Exalted, willed to bring humanity out of Adam, He created his wife (Eve) from his bent rib. If a man wants to benefit from his bent rib, he has to benefit from it with its bending there. If he tried to straighten it, he would break it. Likewise, if a person wants to enjoy a woman, he has to enjoy her while crookedness remains in her and accept the benefits available. However, if he tries to straighten her, she will not be straightened and he will not be able to, because if she becomes straight in her religious matters, she will not be straight in the matters related to her nature. A woman will never behave exactly as her husband wishes. Rather, there must be cases of disagreement and negligence in addition to a sort of deficiency that already exists in her. Therefore, if you try to straighten her, you will break her, and breaking her is divorcing her. In other words, if you try to straighten her in the way you like, you will not be able to, and as a result you will get fed up with her and divorce her.

بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، سليم بن عيد الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي، الدمام، الطبعة: الأولى 1415هـ. تطريز رياض الصالحين، فيصل بن عبد العزيز المبارك، تحقيق: عبد العزيز بن عبد الله آل حمد، دار العاصمة للنشر والتوزيع، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى 1423هـ، 2002م. رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين، أبو زكريا محيي الدين النووي، تحقيق ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، بيروت، الطبعة: الأولى 1428هـ، 2007م. شرح رياض الصالحين للشيخ ابن عثيمين، دار الوطن للنشر، الرياض، 1426هـ. صحيح البخاري، محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري الجعفي، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، مسلم بن الحجاج القشيري النيسابوري، تحقيق محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، الطبعة: 1423هـ. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، مجموعة من الباحثين، مؤسسة الرسالة، بيروت، الطبعة: الرابعة عشر 1407هـ، 1987م. النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر، مجد الدين أبو السعادات المبارك بن الأثير، تحقيق: طاهر أحمد الزاوى، محمود محمد الطناحي، نشر: المكتبة العلمية، بيروت، الطبعة: 1399هـ، 1979م.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarifies that this worldly life has a sweet taste and looks green and alluring. Hence, man gets deceived by this worldly life, indulges in its pleasures, and makes it his biggest concern. Allah Almighty has made us successors of one another in this worldly life to see how we behave; and whether we obey or disobey Him. Then he said: Beware of being deceived by the worldly pleasures and adornment that will cause you to abandon Allah's commands and fall into His prohibitions. Among the gravest worldly trials that one must beware of is women's temptation, which was the first temptation the children of Israel fell into.

1. It encourages adherence to piety without being preoccupied with worldly pleasures and adornment.
2. Warning against being tempted by women either through gazing, allowing them to mingle with foreign men, etc.
3. Women's temptation is among the gravest worldly trials.
4. Taking lessons from the previous nations, such as what happened to the Children of Israel could happen to others as well.
5. In the case of the wife, a woman's temptation might be by asking her husband what he cannot afford, thus, distracting him from seeking religious affairs and urging him to exert himself in seeking this world. As for the foreign woman, her temptation lies in alluring men and making them deviate from the truth when she goes out and mixes with them, particularly if she is not wearing Hijāb and is exposing her adornment. This might lead to falling into various degrees of adultery. So, the believer must hold onto Allah and ask Him to save him from their temptation.

صحيح مسلم (4/ 2098) (2742). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 146). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 173). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 103).

‘Abdullāh ibn Zam‘ah (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions that he heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) deliver a sermon from above his camel. This is because it was from the Prophet's guidance not to overburden himself. He would thus not request something that was not available, nor would he reject something that was available, as long as this would not entail negligence or exaggeration in the Shariah. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was giving the sermon, and ‘Abdullāh ibn Zam‘ah heard him. He heard him mention the she-camel, which was the miracle of Prophet Sālih (Methusaleh) (peace be upon him). He also mentioned the one who had slain it, whose name was Qudhār, and he was the most wretched among his people. He made mention of some of his descriptions saying that he was unique (in the bad sense of the word) and extremely corrupt and that he enjoyed a high status among his people. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said during his sermon: "Some of you would whip their wives as if they were slaves." This indicates harsh disciplining. The context of the Hadīth indicates the improbability of these two being done by a rational person, i.e. that he would beat his wife severely and then have sexual intercourse with her the same day or night. This is because sexual intercourse normally requires a desire for companionship, love, and affection, whereas the one who is whipped normally shuns the one who whipped him. So, the dispraise of this type of action was pointed out here. If beating is necessary, it should be a gentle beating that does not cause complete repulsion, so one should not exceed the proper limits in both beating and disciplining. Then, he warned them against laughing at the act of passing wind because it is against good manners and because it entails exposing other people. Out of criticism for such an attitude, he said: "Why should any of you laugh at another doing what he does himself?" This is because laughing is normally caused by something strange or astonishing that lead to smiling. If the smile gets stronger and is accompanied by a sound, it will be considered laughter, and if it becomes even stronger than that, it will be called a guffaw. Since passing wind normally happens to all people, then what is the reason for laughing at the one who passes wind?

بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، سليم بن عيد الهلالي، دار ابن الجوزي، الدمام، الطبعة: الأولى 1415هـ. تطريز رياض الصالحين، فيصل بن عبد العزيز المبارك، تحقيق: عبد العزيز بن عبد الله آل حمد، دار العاصمة للنشر والتوزيع، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى 1423هـ، 2002م. دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين، محمد علي بن البكري بن علان، اعتنى بها: خليل مأمون شيحا، دار المعرفة، بيروت، الطبعة: الرابعة 1425هـ. رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين، أبو زكريا محيي الدين النووي، تحقيق ماهر الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، بيروت، الطبعة: الأولى 1428هـ. رياض الصالحين من كلام سيد المرسلين، أبو زكريا محيي الدين النووي، تحقيق: عصام هادي، وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية القطرية، دار الريان، بيروت، الطبعة: الرابعة 1428هـ. شرح رياض الصالحين، محمد بن صالح العثيمين، دار الوطن، الرياض، الطبعة: 1426هـ. صحيح البخاري، محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري الجعفي، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، الطبعة: الأولى 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، مسلم بن الحجاج القشيري النيسابوري، تحقيق محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، الطبعة: 1423هـ. كنوز رياض الصالحين، مجموعة من الباحثين برئاسة حمد بن ناصر العمار، كنوز إشبيليا، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى1430هـ، 2009م. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، مجموعة من الباحثين، مؤسسة الرسالة، بيروت، الطبعة: الرابعة عشر 1407هـ.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a husband from hating his wife in such a way that would lead him to wrong her, abandon her, and turn away from her. Deficiency is part of man's nature, so, if he dislikes a bad characteristic in her, he will find another good one. He will, thus, be pleased with what he approves of and will patiently endure what he disapproves of the bad characteristics. This will help him remain patient without hating her in such a way that leads him to part with her.

1. Calling the believer to be fair and refer to reason whenever a dispute arises with his wife without resorting to emotions and temporary feelings.
2. A believer does not entirely hate a female believer in such a way that drives him to leave her; rather, he should overlook what he hates for what he loves.
3. Encouraging kindness and good companionship between spouses.
4. Faith calls to noble morals. Thus, no believing man or woman is free of good morals, as faith requires the existence of praiseworthy qualities in both of them.

صحيح مسلم (2/ 1091) (1469). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 359). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (3/ 122). فتح رب البرية بتلخيص الحموية، لابن عثيمين (ص117). مجموع فتاوى ابن باز (25/ 246). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 282).

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said to ‘Atā’ ibn Abi Rabāh: Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise? ‘Atā’ said: Yes. He said: This black Abyssinian woman came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: I suffer from an illness that causes me to have seizures, and I become uncovered, revealing parts of my body without my awareness. So supplicate Allah to heal me. He (the Prophet) said: If you wish, be patient and you will enter Paradise, or, if you wish, I will supplicate Allah to cure you. She said: I will remain patient, then she said: Supplicate Allah that I do not become uncovered if I have a seizure, and he supplicated Allah for her.

1. Patience in enduring worldly trials leads to Paradise.
2. An-Nawawi said: It contains evidence that one who is afflicted with epilepsy receives the most complete reward.
3. The chastity and modesty of the female Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and their keenness on covering themselves, as this woman's greatest fear was that any part of her body might be exposed.
4. Ibn Hajar said: Choosing the stricter ruling over the concession is better for one who knows about himself that he is capable and is not weakened by adhering to what is strict.
5. Ibn Hajar said: It indicates that treating all illnesses through supplication and seeking refuge in Allah is more effective and beneficial than medicinal treatments. The impact of this on the body is greater than that of physical remedies. However, its efficacy depends on two conditions: 1. From the patient's side: sincerity of intention. 2. From the healer's side: the strength of their focus and heart through piety and reliance on Allah, and Allah knows best.
6. Ibn Hajar said: It contains evidence on the permissibility of abstaining from medical treatment.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 116) (5652). صحيح مسلم (4/ 1994) (2576). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 95). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (1/ 235).

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) ‎reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and ‎blessings be upon him) said: "If your wife asks your permission to go to the mosque, do not prevent her." This is in order not to deprive her of the merit of ‎performing the congregational prayer in the mosque. The ‎Hadīth highlights the ruling on a woman going out to the ‎mosque for prayer, which is permissible. Bilāl, a son of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar, was present when his ‎father was reporting this Hadīth and said: "By Allah! We ‎will prevent them." Bilāl said so without any intention to ‎object to the legislator, as his objection was just out of his ‎jealousy and desire to protect the women, whose behavior ‎differed from what was common during the Prophet's lifetime, ‎especially regarding the wide use of adornments and the like. ‎However, his father believed that his objection was out of ‎rejection of the Prophet's Sunnah. Therefore, he angrily insulted ‎him in an unprecedented manner out of his anger and ‎zeal for Allah, the Almighty, and His Messenger (‎may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), saying: "I am ‎telling you that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace ‎and blessings be upon him) said so, and you say: 'By Allah! We will prevent them'!"‎

تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام، حققه وعلق عليه وخرج أحاديثه وصنع فهارسه: محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، ط10، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات - مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، 1426هـ. تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة لأحكام، لابن عثيمين، ط1، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات، 1426هـ. عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام صلى الله عليه وسلم لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، ط2، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، 1408 هـ. صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، ط1، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، 1423هـ.

This Hadīth confirms the Islamic principle of gentleness towards the weak, like orphans and women. It is noticed in this Hadīth that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave extra care to the rights of orphans and women because they have no authority to resort to for defending them. So, he declared that whoever usurps their rights is sinful and exposes himself to suffering difficulty and hardship.

بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي، ط1، دار ابن الجوزي، الدمام، 1415هـ. دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين، لمحمد علي بن محمد بن علان، ط4، اعتنى بها: خليل مأمون شيحا، دار المعرفة، بيروت، 1425هـ. رياض الصالحين، للنووي، ط1، تحقيق: ماهر ياسين الفحل، دار ابن كثير، دمشق، بيروت، 1428هـ. رياض الصالحين، ط4، تحقيق: عصام هادي، وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية القطرية، دار الريان، بيروت، 1428هـ. السنن الكبرى للنسائي، تحقيق: حسن عبد المنعم شلبي، ط1، مؤسسة الرسالة - بيروت، 1421هـ. سنن ابن ماجه، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء الكتب العربية، فيصل عيسى البابي الحلبي. صحيح الجامع الصغير وزيادته، للألباني، ط3، المكتب الإسلامي، بيروت، 1408هـ. مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل، تحقيق: شعيب الأرنؤوط و عادل مرشد وآخرون، تحت إشراف: د عبد الله بن عبد المحسن التركي، (ط1)، مؤسسة الرسالة، 1421هـ. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين، ط14، مؤسسة الرسالة، 1407هـ.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says a man or a woman deserves Allah's mercy when wakes up at night to pray and wakes up their spouse to pray as well. If one's spouse refuses to wake up because of heavy sleep or laziness, one might sprinkle little water on their face.

-سنن أبي داود، سليمان بن الأشعث السِّجِسْتاني، تحقيق: محمد محيي الدين عبد الحميد، المكتبة العصرية. -سنن ابن ماجه، ابن ماجه أبو عبد الله محمد بن يزيد القزويني، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء الكتب العربية، فيصل عيسى البابي الحلبي. - السنن الصغرى للنسائي، أحمد بن شعيب، النسائي، تحقيق: عبد الفتاح أبو غدة، مكتب المطبوعات الإسلامية، حلب، الطبعة الثانية، 1406ه – 1986م. -مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل، المحقق: شعيب الأرنؤوط - عادل مرشد، وآخرون إشراف: د عبد الله بن عبد المحسن التركي، مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة: الأولى، 1421هـ - 2001م. -صَحِيحُ التَّرْغِيب وَالتَّرْهِيب، محمد ناصر الدين الألباني، مكتَبة المَعارف لِلنَشْرِ والتوزيْع، الرياض، المملكة العربية السعودية - الطبعة الأولى، 1421هـ - 2000م. - نزهة المتقين بشرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف مصطفى سعيد الخن، مصطفى البغا - محي الدين مستو- علي الشربجي- محمد أمين لطفي - مؤسسة الرسالة - بيروت – لبنان - الطبعة الرابعة عشرة. - كنوز رياض الصالحين، لحمد بن ناصر العمار، دار كنوز إشبيليا، الطبعة الأولى، 1430ه. - مرعاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح، المؤلف: أبو الحسن عبيد الله المباركفوري، إدارة البحوث العلمية والدعوة والإفتاء - الجامعة السلفية - بنارس الهند- الطبعة: الثالثة، 1404هـ - 1984م.