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Sayyidah Hawwa was created from the Rib of Nabi Adam (‘alayhimas salam)

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by HadithAnswers.com

I want to know that whether Sayyidah Hawwa was created from the ribs of Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) or the Hadith that states so has a metaphorical meaning?

And is the story of Sayyidah Hawwa’s creation from Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) from Israili Rawayat ?

Lastly, what is the meaning of نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ in verse 1 of Surah Nisa ?

Answer

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallalalhu’alayhi wasalalm) said:

‘Be good to women, for indeed the woman was created from a rib…”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3331 & Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 3631)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) commented on this Hadith with the following:

‘It is said that this Hadith points to the fact that Hawwa was created from the left rib of Adam (‘alayhis salam)… as reported by Ibn Is-haq.’

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3331)

Imam  Nawawi (rahimahullah) writes;

‘In this [Hadith] is support for what the Jurists, or some of them say: that Hawwa was created from the rib of Adam (‘alayhis salam). Allah Ta’ala said: ‘He created you from a single soul and created from it, its spouse.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) has clarified [in this Hadith] that she was created from [his] rib.’

(Sharh Muslim, Hadith: 3631. Also see Takmilah Fathul Mulhim, vol.1, pg.93)

The above explanations indicate to the literal meaning being understood by the Scholars.

(Also see: Tafsir Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir & Tafsir Ruhul Ma’ani, Surah Nisa, Ayah: 1)

The meaning of the verse: ‘O People, fear your Rabb, who created you from a single soul and created from it its spouse, and He spread out [on Earth] from them many men and women…’

(Surah Nisa, verse: 1)

Allah Ta’ala is referring to the same discussion above; that first Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) was created, and from him Allah created his spouse; Sayyidah Hawwa. Allah Ta’ala then used them two to create the rest of mankind.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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