Muhammad Issues: Female Deficiencies & Hell

Overview

According to Sahih al-Bukhari (304 & 2658), Muhammad taught that women are deficient or lacking in their intelligence and religion. When questioned about this, Muhammad said that the proof that women are deficient in their intelligence (mind, discernment and reason) is that the testimony of two women is equal to the testimony of one man. Regarding the proof that women are deficient in their religion, Muhammad said that this is evidenced by the fact that women cannot engage in corporate prayer and fasting during their monthly periods. Muhammad also said that the majority of the inhabitants of hell are women because women curse frequently and are ungrateful to their husbands. This narration is also related by Sunan Ibn Majah (4003 - Graded: Sahih).

Hadith Narrations

Sahih al-Bukhari, 304

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Messenger went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) of `Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Messenger?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."

Sahih al-Bukhari, 2658

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind."

Sunan Ibn Majah, 4003 (Graded: Sahih)

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah said: “O women, give in charity and pray a great deal for forgiveness, for I have seen that you form the majority of the people of Hell.” A woman who was very wise said: “Why is it, O Messenger of Allah, that we form the majority of the people of Hell?” He said: “You curse a great deal and you are ungrateful to your husbands, and I have never seen anyone lacking in discernment and religion more overwhelming to a man of wisdom than you.” She said: “O Messenger of Allah, what is this lacking in discernment and religion?” He said: “The lack of discernment is the fact that the testimony of two women is equal to the testimony of one man; this is the lack of reason. And (a woman) spends several nights when she does not pray, and she does not fast in Ramadhan, and this is the lack in religion.”