Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said that when God’s messenger went out to the place of prayer on the day of sacrifice, or on the day when the fast was broken, he came upon some women and said, "Give alms, you women folk, for I have been shown that you will be the majority of the inhabitants of hell.” They asked, “For what reason, messenger of God?” He replied, “You are greatly given to abuse, and you are ungrateful to your husbands. Among women who are deficient in intelligence and religion I have not seen anyone more able to remove the understanding of a prudent man than one of you.” They asked, “What is the deficiency of our religion and our intelligence, messenger of God?” He replied, “Is not the testimony of a woman equivalent to half the testimony of a man?” They said, “Yes.” Remarking that that pertained to the deficiency of her intelligence, he asked, “Is it not the case that when she menstruates she neither prays nor fasts?” When they replied, “Yes,” he said, “That pertains to the deficiency of her religion.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Faith - Mishkat al-Masabih 19
This hadith from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih, requires careful scholarly interpretation to avoid misunderstanding. The Prophet's address to women was not a condemnation but a loving warning and spiritual guidance.
Contextual Understanding
The Prophet spoke during Eid, a joyous occasion, using dramatic language to emphasize spiritual realities. His words serve as preventive medicine for the soul, much like a physician warning patients about health risks.
The "majority in Hell" refers to statistical reality in the afterlife realm, not inherent female nature. It highlights the serious consequences of specific spiritual diseases that require remedy.
Deficiency in Intelligence Explained
The "deficiency in intelligence" (nuqsan al-'aql) refers to legal testimony capacity, not intellectual capability. In Islamic jurisprudence, two women witnesses equal one man in financial matters due to women's typically lesser involvement in commercial transactions during that era.
This ruling protects women from bearing sole legal responsibility in areas where they may lack practical experience, serving as a legal accommodation rather than an intellectual judgment.
Deficiency in Religion Clarified
The "deficiency in religion" (nuqsan al-din) refers to ritual exemptions during menstruation, not spiritual status. Menstruating women are exempt from prayer and fasting as divine mercy, not punishment.
This exemption demonstrates Allah's compassion toward women's physiological reality. The missed prayers need not be made up, while missed fasts require compensation only, indicating the lightness of this religious "deficiency."
Spiritual Remedies Prescribed
The Prophet specifically prescribed charity (sadaqah) as the antidote to the spiritual diseases mentioned. Generosity purifies wealth and soul, countering tendencies toward ingratitude and criticism.
Gratitude to husbands represents gratitude to Allah, as marital harmony reflects divine mercy. The warning serves to elevate women's spiritual awareness and encourage positive character development.