The Hadith: 'Women's reasoning and worship are weak'

Q 2: What is the degree of authenticity of the Hadith: "Women's reasoning and worship are weak"?

A: It is authentically related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) and others from the Hadith reported by Abu Sa`id Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Once the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went out to the Musalla (place for Prayer) to offer Al-Adha or Al-Fitr Prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, 'O company of women, give Sadaqah (voluntary charity). I have seen that you comprise the majority of the people of the Fire.' They asked, 'Why is it so, O Messenger of Allah?' He (peace be upon him) replied, 'You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone, although imperfect in reasoning and worship, yet more capable of turning the brain of a resolute man than you.' The women asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is imperfect in our reasoning and worship?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'Is not the testimony of two women equal to that of one man?' They replied in the affirmative. He (peace be upon him) said, 'This is the imperfection in her reasoning. Is not it so that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?' The women replied in the affirmative. He (peace be upon him) said, 'This is the imperfection in her worship.' Muslim related the Hadith on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) who narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: O company of women, give Sadaqah and seek forgiveness often. I have seen that you comprise the majority of the people of the Fire - the Hadith has been transmitted with the same wording - except for the part in which he said: A woman stays for days not praying and breaks the fast in Ramadan (i.e. because of menses); this is the imperfection in religion. As for the following Hadith, which is mentioned in some (Part No. 3; Page No. 250) books with the wording: I have not seen anyone, although imperfect in reasoning and worship, yet more capable of turning the brain of a resolute man than you. The imperfection in reasoning is that the testimony of two women is equal to the testimony of one man. The imperfection in worship is that throughout half of her life she does not pray. This Hadith with the wording "half" has no origin. Many scholars held this view such as Ibn Al-Jawzy, Al-Zayla`y, Ibn Hajar, and others. Therefore, it is the Hadiths that are mentioned above that are authentically reported in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.