Are Women Fitna and The Source of All Evil?
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
16 August
2023
What Does
It Mean In The Hadith When Women Are Called "Fitna"?
Main
Points
1. Stereotypes about women exist in
society, often claiming they are the root cause of all problems.
2. Some people often cite dubious or
improperly interpreted Hadiths to support their claims, while trustworthy
Hadiths can contradict their assumptions.
3. "Fitnah" in Arabic has
various interpretations, including a trial, test, or subjecting someone to a
test.
4. Allah tests a man through wealth and
children, as well as wives and women, which are blessings from Allah.
5. A servant may neglect to worship
Allah and fulfil His commands and obligations, even after receiving gifts like
wealth, children, and women. Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) advises
males to avoid temptation and keep Allah in mind, as women are both blessings
and tests.
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Many
stereotypes regarding women exist in our society. Some individuals think that
women alone are to blame for all of the bad things and challenges in the world.
Women are frequently referred to as Fitnah with a derogatory meaning. They
claim that women alone are Fitnah and the root of all problems, and they
occasionally cite dubious or improperly interpreted Hadiths to support their
claims. Other times, they cite trustworthy Hadiths that contradict their
assumptions, as the one below warns against the Fitnah of women.
The Prophet
(peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “I have not left Fitna [a trial]
after me more harmful to men than women.” (Bukhari 4808, Muslim 2740)
What does
it mean for women to be Fitnah in this Hadith? By citing such Hadiths, they try
to show that women are completely Fitnah in the negative sense, and as a
result, they treat women very harshly.
They believe that the best course of action for them is to remain
incarcerated within the four walls of the house until they pass away. Islam, on
the other hand, has increased respect for women. Ensuring that women are
treated fairly and have access to all of their legal rights is a major
responsibility of Islam. However, in spite of our best efforts, we were unable
to persuade the rigid and stern academic types to change their views on women.
They have
also misunderstood the meaning of the term Fitna as it is used in the Hadith
above. They derived the idea that women are the source of all evil and problems
from the term Fitna in this context. But this is not at all how the Hadith is
supposed to be understood. The word "Fitnah" has numerous
interpretations in Arabic. The concept of a trial, test, or something that puts
someone to the test is included in one of these meanings. This test is administered sometimes through
bad things and sometimes through good things. Allah Ta'ala tests man by giving
him difficulties at times and blessings at other times. Allah says:
“...And We test you with evil and with good as
trial [Fitnah], and to Us, you will be returned.” (21:35)
As a
result, the Arabic word Fitnah can refer to both good and terrible things.
Riches and children, for example, are unquestionably great gifts from Allah,
but He has also referred to them as Fitnah.
“Your wealth and your children are but a trial
and Allah has with Him a great reward.” (64:15)
These are
benefits from Allah Almighty, yet Allah tests His servants through them to make
sure they don't become distracted by them and forget about their obligations.
The following Qur'anic verse may be interpreted in this way:
“O you who have believed, let not your wealth
and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whoever does
that - then those are the losers.” (63:9)
Similar to
how Allah tests a man via wealth and children, even though these two things are
blessings from Allah, so too does He test him with wives and women, even though
they are also favours from Allah. These women are neither the cause of evil nor
its source nor are they its incubator. Instead, the Holy Prophet said that
having a good wife is a great blessing from Allah. In addition, Allah has
included a condition in this reward that requires His slaves to remember their
Lord when they are around women. The same criterion is discussed in the verse
mentioned above.
Man and
woman are naturally drawn to and in love with one another thanks to Allah
Almighty. The gradient here is organic. Each of them leans in the direction of
the other. However, the woman is more appealing, and the man is more drawn to
her. This tendency causes man to frequently do what is wrong and to turn away
from worship and good activities.
It is
possible for a servant to become so preoccupied with receiving a favour that he
neglects to worship Allah and carry out His laws and obligations. The servants
are instructed to obey their commitments even after gaining gifts like wealth,
children, and women because these things are also favours from Allah. Women are
not only a blessing in this aspect, but also a test. Because of this, Allah's
Messenger (peace be upon him) has cautioned males to avoid being drawn into
temptation by a strong connection to women and to keep Allah in mind at all
times.
From this
information, it is clear that the word "Fitnah," has been mentioned
for a woman in the Hadith does not refer to her humiliation, flaws, undermining
of her dignity, or diminution of her value. Rather, a woman holds an honourable
and respected standing in Islam. According to this Hadith, men's ability to treat
women is their greatest trial and challenge. In this way, this Hadith has
helped to remind men of their obligations and served as a warning to them.
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/woman-fitna-source-evil/d/130456
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