Question
Is there a Hadith wherein Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has said that women will enter the workforce before the coming of Judgement Day? I read it as one of the signs of the hour.
Answer
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has recorded a narration of such nature on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Adda ibn Khalid (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Mu’jamul Kabir, vol. 18 pg. 13, Hadith: 17; Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7 pg. 329)
Translation
Sayyiduna ‘Adda ibn Khalid (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has narrated: ‘I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) say: ‘The [Final] Hour will not take place until a man only greets the one he knows, the Masjids are taken as pathways, both the woman and her husband conduct business, and women as well as horses become cheap, never again holding significant value till the Day of Judgement.’
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has also recorded a very similar narration as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Nonetheless, both the context and nature of this narration are such that Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) will be understood to have heard it from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) (مرفوع حكما).
(Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 9486)
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has graded the chain of this narration (of Ibn Masu’d – radiyallahu ‘anhu) as authentic.
(See: Mustadrak Hakim along with the Talkhis of Imam Dhahabi, vol. 4 pg. 446; Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7 pg. 329)
See a similar narration here.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar