" O people." And she said to one who was combing: Leave my head; the rest of the hadith is the same.
The Book of Virtues - Sahih Muslim 2295 b
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
Contextual Analysis
This narration appears in the chapter concerning the virtues of the Prophet's household and companions. The phrase "O people" indicates a public address of significance, likely delivered by a female companion of noble status. The instruction to cease combing her hair suggests she was preparing for an important matter that required immediate attention.
Scholarly Commentary
The classical scholars note that such interruptions in personal grooming demonstrate the urgency with which the early Muslims responded to matters of religious importance. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that this shows how the companions prioritized religious gatherings over worldly adornment.
Al-Nawawi explains in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that the incomplete narration style indicates the transmitter's focus on the essential lesson rather than repetitive details, a common feature in hadith transmission where previous context is assumed known.
Spiritual Lessons
This teaching illustrates the importance of hastening to religious gatherings and prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns. The female companion's immediate response serves as a model for Muslims in all ages regarding the proper hierarchy of values in Islamic life.
The narration also demonstrates the active participation of women in early Islamic society and their keenness to benefit from religious knowledge, refuting any notions that women were marginalized in religious learning during the Prophet's era.