Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Principles, Authentication and Investigation of Narrations, Page 620
The Four Fundamental Duties of a Woman: A Hadith Reference and Its Investigation
Question:
Is it correct that if a woman performs four specific deeds — namely:
✿ Observes the obligatory prayers,
✿ Fasts during Ramadan,
✿ Guards her chastity,
✿ Obeys her husband —
then all eight gates of Paradise will be opened for her? If this is mentioned in a Hadith, what is the reference?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.
This concept is mentioned in a Hadith narrated in Sahih Ibn Hibban. The wording of the Hadith is as follows:
Arabic Text:
“إذا صلت المرأة خمسها وصامت شهرها وحصنت فرجها وأطاعت بعلها دخلت من أي أبواب الجنة شاءت”
Translation:
“When a woman prays her five prayers, fasts during her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise through whichever gate she wishes.”
Reference:
Sahih Ibn Hibban, Mawarid al-Dhaman, Hadith No. 1296
Grade of the Hadith’s Chain (Isnad)
✿ The chain of this Hadith is weak (Da‘eef).
✿ However, based on supporting evidences, some scholars have graded it as Hasan Lighayrih, meaning a weak narration strengthened through corroborative chains.
✿ Shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) classified this Hadith as Hasan Lighayrih:
Sahih al-Targhib wal-Tarhib, Vol. 2, Page 411, Hadith No. 1931, 1932
✿ Furthermore, in his book Adab al-Zifaf, Shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) uses this Hadith to emphasize that:
Serving one’s husband is obligatory for a wife.
Adab al-Zifaf, Page 286
Important Note
✿ Although some scholars consider it reaches the level of Hasan Lighayrih, it is important to note:
✿ Hasan Lighayrih narrations are not fully authoritative evidence, but a category of weak narrations that have gained some strength.
✿ Further clarification can be seen in:
Mahnamah al-Hadith Hazro, Issue 5, Pages 12, 14
Additional Evidences
✿ There are many other strong evidences that serving one’s husband is obligatory for a wife.
✿ Similarly, it is also obligatory upon the husband to treat his wife with good conduct, kindness, and benevolence.
✿ For a detailed discussion, refer to Adab al-Zifaf:
Shahadat, October 2003
Conclusion:
This is the knowledge I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.
