Question
Kindly provide the correct Arabic wording and authenticity of the following narration:
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has said: ‘The majority of those I saw therein [i.e. in the fire] were women who spread secrets when entrusted; when they are asked, they are stingy, and when they ask others, they do so in a demanding way.’
Husayn [ibn Muhammad, when narrating this Hadith] said [that Rasulullah – sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam – also added]: ‘And when they are given something, they are not appreciative.’
Answer
This is part of a lengthy narration which Imam Ahmad and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded on the authority of Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3 pgs. 352-353; Also see: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 2 pgs. 87-88)
Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with the following wording:
وأكثر من رأيت فيها النساء اللاتي إن ائتمن أفشين وإن يسئلن بخلن وإن يسألن الحفن- قال حسين: وإن أعطين لم يشكرن
Imam Hakim (rahimahullah) has recorded and authenticated a very similar Hadith [with identical wording] on the authority of Sayyiduna Ubay ibn Ka’b (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has also concurred.
(Mustadrak Hakim with the Talkhis of Imam Dhahabi, vol. 4 pg. 605)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar