I am a witness that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) offered the Id prayer before delivering the sermon and then he thought that the women would not be able to hear him (because of the distance), so he went to them along with Bilal who was spreading his garment. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised and ordered them to give in charity. So the women started giving their ornaments (in charity). (The sub-narrator Aiyub pointed towards his ears and neck meaning that they gave ornaments from those places such as earrings and necklaces.)
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1449 describes a significant event where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) delivered a special sermon to women after Eid prayer, emphasizing their inclusion in religious obligations and spiritual rewards.
Sequence of Actions
The Prophet (ﷺ) first performed Eid prayer, then delivered the khutbah (sermon), demonstrating the proper order of Eid observance.
Recognizing that women at the back might not hear his sermon clearly, he showed exceptional consideration by approaching them separately with Bilal.
Scholarly Commentary on Zakat & Charity
This incident establishes that women are equally obligated and encouraged to perform charitable acts, including Zakat. Their spiritual status is equal in the sight of Allah.
The immediate response of women donating their jewelry demonstrates the importance of hastening to perform good deeds and the virtue of sacrificing worldly adornments for Allah's pleasure.
Bilal's role in collecting the charity in his garment shows the proper method of receiving and handling charitable donations with respect and dignity.
Legal Rulings Derived
Eid prayer precedes the khutbah, unlike Friday prayer where khutbah comes first.
Women's attendance at Eid prayers is Sunnah and they receive equal religious instruction.
Jewelry and ornaments are subject to Zakat when they reach the nisab (minimum threshold) and hawl (one lunar year of possession).
The Prophet's concern for women's religious education establishes the obligation of making Islamic knowledge accessible to all believers regardless of gender.
Spiritual Lessons
This event exemplifies the Prophet's compassionate leadership and his commitment to ensuring no one is neglected in religious education.
The women's enthusiastic response teaches us about the virtue of immediate obedience to Allah's commands and the excellence of sacrificing what we love for His sake.
It demonstrates that true faith manifests in practical actions and financial sacrifices for the sake of Allah.