Question
I came across a narration in Ihya ‘Ulumid Din that ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said:
“If the Prophet only knew of the misdeeds that women would bring about after his time, he would have forbidden them from going out.”
Is it authentic?
Answer
‘Allamah Ghazali (rahimahullah) has cited the following narration:
‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “If Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) knew what women are now doing, he would have prevented them from going out.”
(Ihya ‘Ulumid Din, vol. 3 pg. 189)
I have not come across these exact words in any primary source.
‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has referenced the narration cited in Ihya ‘Ulumid Din to Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and has pointed out the slight difference in wording.
(Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1504. Also see: Ithafus Sadah Al Muttaqin, vol. 5 pg. 363)
The wording in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim is as follows:
Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “If Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) were to see what women are now doing, he would have prevented them [from attending] the Masjid/Masjids just as the women of the Banu Israil were prevented.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 869, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 445)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar