Why Do Women Face the Most Severe Threats Mentioned in Hadiths?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I’d like to know why, according to this hadith, only women receive such a punishment.

I don’t understand why the women in the hadiths have the worst threats, such as an unaccepted prayer, while the men have none. Their prayers are accepted even if they are unjust; we are talking about Islam’s most important act, and the woman’s prayer depends on a human. I’m so sad that the husband bothers us even in our personal connection with Allah. Men don’t have these issues; they can pray all the time quietly.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. I advise you not to be sad; Allah Most High, through His Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), has mentioned unimaginable rewards, blessings, great virtues, and mercy for all; this includes warnings—whether to men or women.

Warnings as Mercy

Thus, every word and action of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) is mercy if understood right, and this can only be achieved if one reads widely and sits in the company of knowledge and remembrance.

“We have not sent you except as Mercy for all the worlds (…).” [Quran, 21:107]

Purpose of Warnings

The purpose of warnings is to caution and remind us to return to Allah the Most Merciful and Eternal Felicity.

Prayer of Three People Will Not be Accepted

Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported, The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There are three whose prayer will not rise even a hand span over their heads: an Imam who leads people in prayer who hate him, a wife who spends the night while her husband is displeased, and two brothers who sever their relationship.” [Ibn Majah]

One has to look at the other two parts of the hadith, the warning is for men, an Imam who leads prayer, but people dislike him, and two brothers who sever their relationship. So this very hadith has mentioned severe warnings to men, too.

As for a woman whose husband is unhappy, this is not a general statement but a conditional one. It is only when a wife shows ill manners and a lack of obedience to the husband. As for if when a husband is unhappy without any reason, then this will not apply, or he is ill-mannered; he would be sinful as equal to when a wife is ill-mannered.

Warning Failing to Fulfil Rights of Women

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “O Allah, bear witness that I have issued a warning concerning (failing to fulfill or violating) the rights of the two weak ones: orphans and women.” [Ibn Majah] [Ibn al-Malak, Sharh al-Masabih; Tibi, Sharh al-Tibi; Abdul-Haq al-Dehlawi, Lama‘at al-Tanqih]

One Universal and Deciding Truth for Men and Women – Mindfulness of Allah (Taqwa)

As a decisive matter, the only quality that matters and will ultimately matter is being mindfulness (taqwa) for both men and women, all that is mentioned is a way to warn and direct us to make us return to our life’s purpose and to Allah and in truly recognizing Him and worshipping Him.

Allah Most High said, “O people, We have created you from male and female and made you into tribes and nations that you might know one another. Verily, the most honored of you to Allah is the most righteous of you.” [Quran, 49:13]

Remain Assured, You are in Good Stead; Just be Mindful of Allah Most High

I humbly request you to read books on hadith and wider reading of other books; you will find that the threats and warnings are equal, in fact, more towards men than women.

Being a woman is a huge privilege, be it a mother, wife, widow, daughter, sister, or even an aunt. Read about the status of women, learn about their role and virtues sitting in the company of learned female scholars, etc.; you will find otherwise, in sha’ Allah.

Just Ponder Upon this Comprehensive, All Inclusive Verse

The following sums up that men and women are all equal in terms of actions and rewards in the sight of Allah Most High:

Allah Most High said, “Surely for Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah often—for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” [Quran, 33:35]

Related:

• Reader on Women’s Ranks in the Hereafter
• Explaining Misunderstood Hadith About Women
• A Commentary on the Hadīth of Women’s Intelligence
• Why Will Women Be Lonely in Paradise While Men Enjoy All the Rewards?
• What Is the Value of Women in Islam?
• There is No Male Preference in Islamic Law [Book]. (The book repudiates the common allegation of Islam possessing an inherently male bias to the detriment of women as a false stereotype promulgated by the enemies of Islam whose goal is to alienate Muslim women and others…)

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani