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A Hadith regarding the self possessiveness of women

My question is about the following Hadith:

“Allah Ta’ala has decreed the quality of possessiveness for women and jihad for men, so whoever bears that with patience out of faith and in the hope of reward will have a reward like that of a martyr.”

Is this Hadith authentic and if so, can you also provide some commentary as well?

Answer

Imam Bazzar, Imam Tabarani (rahimahumallah) and others have recorded this Hadith as part of a longer incident on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 1490 and Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 10040)

There exists difference of opinion among the Muhaddithun regarding the authenticity of this Hadith. Imam Abu Hatim, Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumallah) and others have declared the narration very weak due to a particular narrator.

Imam Bazzar, Imam Ibn Hibban, ‘Allamah ‘Ayni (rahimahumullah) and others have declared this narrator reliable. Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al ‘Asqalani (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators reliable albeit pointing out the difference of opinion regarding this particular narrator.

Explanation

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) explains:

Allah Ta’ala has instilled the quality of possessiveness in women, over their husbands and co-wives. So just as men endure difficulties when going out in jihad, so too should women exercise patience with regards to their husbands and co-wives when this quality of self possessiveness is stirred up. If she fails to do so, Shaytan has won the battle against her by causing her to become upset and perhaps oppress her husband or co-wives. Since women are prohibited from fighting on the battle field, this is their jihad and therefore the great reward.

He further explains, this Hadith has a subtle indication, that since women easily become overpowered by self possessiveness, one should not hold her to task for words she utters during this state as her mind is overcome with anger, which is caused by this quality of self possessiveness.

References for all of the above

Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 3 pg. 23, Lisanul Mizan, vol. 5 pg. 353, Fathul Bari and ‘Umdatul Qari, under Hadith: 5225, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 1767. Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4 pg. 320, Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 232 and Kashful Khafa, vol. 1 pg. 268

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved 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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