Why Islam claims women are deficient in religion and intelligence? When in reality they are not
The statements regarding women being "deficient in religion and intelligence" come primarily from hadith literature, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ addressed these issues in the context of certain observable societal norms and religious practices.
In one narration from Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet ﷺ remarked: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went out on Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr to the prayer ground. He passed by the women and said, 'O womenfolk, give charity, for I have seen that the majority of the inhabitants of Hellfire are you.' They asked, 'Why, O Messenger of Allah?' 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 prudent man among you is more deficient in intellect than a woman.' They said, 'O Messenger of Allah, how are we deficient in intellect and religion?' He said, 'Is not the testimony of a woman half that of a man?' They said, 'Yes.' He said, 'That is the deficiency in her intellect. Is it not true that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?' They said, 'Yes.' He said, 'That is the deficiency in her religion.'
Sahih al-Bukhari 6:9.
Sahih Muslim also touches on this theme, with the Prophet ﷺ stating: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O women, give charity and frequently ask for forgiveness, for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of the Hellfire.' A woman among them said, 'How comes this, O Messenger of Allah, that we are majority of the people of the Hellfire?' He said, 'You curse frequently and disbelieve in the changes of partners; and I have not seen anyone deficient in intellect and religion more than you.' She said, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is meant by deficient intellect and religion?' He said, 'The deficiency in intellect is that if a woman gives testimony, it will be accepted as half of that of a man. And the deficiency in religion is that she prays at night and breaks the fast during Ramadan.'
Sahih Muslim 1:147.
In the Shia tradition, a similar sentiment is expressed in Al-Kafi, where the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Of the weak in religion and deficient in intellect, none have undermined those endowed with understanding among you like women.
Al-Kafi 3:11.
These narrations highlight specific cultural and religious practices of the time, particularly concerning women's roles and responsibilities. Scholars and commentators from both Sunni and Shia traditions often discuss these hadiths within their historical and contextual frameworks, noting that they should not be taken as blanket statements about women's capabilities or worth.
Many modern scholars emphasize that these sayings reflect the context of the 7th century rather than serving as definitive judgments on the nature of women today. They encourage a more nuanced understanding that recognizes women's contributions to society and their equal standing before God, as stated in the Qur'an: O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
49:13. This verse underscores the equality of all humans, regardless of gender, in the eyes of God.
In conclusion, while the hadiths address certain deficiencies in specific contexts, contemporary interpretations strive to reconcile these teachings with the recognition of women's dignity and intelligence in modern society.
Sources
-
49:13 · Al-Hujuraat
49:13 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ
O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.
-
Sahih al-Bukhari 6:9
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 6, Hadith 9 · Narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went out on Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr to the prayer ground. He passed by the women and said, "O womenfolk, give charity, for I have seen that the majority of the inhabitants of Hellfire are you." They asked, "Why, O Messenger of Allah?" 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 prudent man among you is more deficient in intellect than a woman." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, how are we deficient in intellect and religion?" He said, "Is not the testimony of a woman half that of a man?" They said, "Yes." He said, "That is the deficiency in her intellect. Is it not true that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?" They said, "Yes." He said, "That is the deficiency in her religion."
-
Sahih Muslim 1:147
Sahih Muslim · Book 1, Hadith 147 · Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "O women, give charity and frequently ask for forgiveness, for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of the Hellfire." A woman among them said, 'How comes this, O Messenger of Allah, that we are majority of the people of the Hellfire?' He said, 'You curse frequently and disbelieve in the changes of partners; and I have not seen anyone deficient in intellect and religion more than you.' She said, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is meant by deficient intellect and religion?' He said, 'The deficiency in intellect is that if a woman gives testimony, it will be accepted as half of that of a man. And the deficiency in religion is that she prays at night and breaks the fast during Ramadan.'
-
Al-Kafi 3:11
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 11
God is free and independent of His creation, and His creation is free and independent of Him. Everything that is called a 'thing,' except God Almighty, is created. God is the Creator of everything. — OR — He said: The Qur’an will come on the Day of Resurrection in the best formed shape. It will pass among the Muslims who will say: This man is one of us. It will pass among the Prophets who will say: He is from us. It will pass among the angels, who will say: He is from us. It will reach the Lord of Power who will say: O Lord, this servant devoted nights in this world striving and loving and despising on my account. God will command: Enter my servant into Paradise adorned and crowned. Then this will be shown to the Qur’an, which will say: Are you pleased with what is done to your wali? He will respond: Yes, and request more good. God will answer that He will grant five special things to the servant and those equal in rank. They will never age, never be ill, never be poor, never grieve, and never die. Then the verse will recite about tasting death only once. The narrator asked if the Qur’an speaks. The Imam smiled and said: Yes, and it has form and creation that commands and forbids. Sa’d said his color changed and thought the matter was beyond him. Abu Ja’far said: Aren’t people but our Shia? Whoever does not know our prayer has rejected our right. He then said: I will convey to you the words of the Qur’an. Sa’d said: Indeed, may God bless you. The Imam said: Prayer forbids indecency and evil, and remembrance of God is greater; prohibition is speech, indecency and evil are men, and we are remembrance of God and are greater. — OR — The Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) raised his head to the sky and smiled. It was said to him: O Messenger of God, we saw you raising your head and smiling. He said: I was amazed at two angels who descended from the heavens to earth seeking a pious believer praying in his oratory to record his deeds for his day and night. They did not find him there, so they ascended back to the heavens and said: Our Lord, your believing servant so and so, we sought him in his place of prayer to record his deeds for his day and night but did not find him. Then we found him in Your bonds. God Almighty said: Record for My servant as he used to do in his health, for his day and night, so long as he is in My bonds, for it is upon Me to record for him the reward for what he used to do in his health as long as I restrain him from it. — OR — I asked him: Why was the House called 'Al-Atiq'? He said: It is a noble, free house belonging to the people that no one has owned. — OR — The Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said, "Of the weak in religion and deficient in intellect, none have undermined those endowed with understanding among you like women." — OR — From Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Shammun from Abdullah ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Asamm from Mismāʻ Abi Sayyār from Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said, 'There is no manumission except after ownership.' — OR — Surely Allah the Blessed and Exalted has left nothing that the nation needs until the Day of Resurrection except that He has revealed it in His Book, explained it to His Messenger (peace be upon him and his family), set a limit for everything, provided a sign pointing to it, and established a punishment for whoever transgresses that limit.
Answers are generated and checked automatically; they may still be incomplete or imperfect. For religious rulings, consult a qualified scholar.
Ask your own question →