Bukhari

Chapter of Sahih Bukhari Hadith Number: 5366: «بَابُ كِسْوَةِ الْمَرْأَةِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ:»
Relevance between the Chapter and the Hadith:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has clarified about giving a woman clothing that is customary (ma‘ruf). However, in the text under the chapter, there is no mention of giving clothing according to custom, so here the relevance is established with very precise wording.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah states:
«هذه الترجمة لفظ حديث أخرجه مسلم من حديث جابر المطول فى صفة الحج، ومن جملته فى خطبة النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بعرفة : اتقوا الله فى النساء ولهن عليكم ورزقهن وكسوتهن بالمعروف، ولما لم يكن على شرط البخاري أشار اليه واستنبط الحكم من حديث اخر على شرطه .» [فتح الباري لابن حجر : 438/10]
“The chapter heading «كسوة المرأة بالمعروف» is actually taken from the wording of the hadith, which Imam Muslim rahimahullah has narrated at length in the Book of Hajj from Jabir radi Allahu anhu. In the Farewell Sermon, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ‘Fear Allah regarding women, their provision and clothing are your responsibility according to what is customary.’ So, when this hadith was not according to Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s conditions, he alluded to it, and by presenting another hadith that was according to his conditions, he derived the ruling.”

Ibn al-Munir rahimahullah, explaining the relevance between the chapter and the hadith, writes:
“The correspondence is from the aspect that (certainly) Sayyidah Fatimah radi Allahu anha must have received something from it, and she was content with what was given according to the situation, not extravagantly.” [فتح الباري لابن حجر : 438/10]

Imam Qastallani rahimahullah writes:
«والمطابقة بين الترجمة والحديث من جهة الذى حصل لفاطمة رضي الله عنها من العلة قطعة، فرضيت بها، اقتصاد بحسب الحال لا اسرافاً .» [ارشاد الساري : 337/9]
Thus, Imam Qastallani rahimahullah also adopted the same reconciliation, which we have mentioned in the previous statements.

The relevance of the chapter heading with the hadith is from the aspect that the maintenance (nafaqah) of the wife is the responsibility of the man. The garment that Ali radi Allahu anhu wore was a silk outfit; upon seeing the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam’s dislike, he distributed it among his women. In the hadith, “nisa’ihi” (his women) is in the plural form, but at that time, Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu had only one wife, Fatimah radi Allahu anha. Therefore, along with other women, he also gave a portion to his wife, so from here it is established to give one’s wife clothing and maintenance according to custom, which is the intent of the chapter heading.

Hadith Commentary:

That is, to his female relatives, because in the house of Ali (radi Allahu anhu) during the lifetime of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), there was no woman except Fatimah (radi Allahu anha).

In another narration, it is stated that I distributed it among the Fatimahs, meaning Fatimah az-Zahra, Fatimah bint Asad (the mother of Ali), and Fatimah bint Hamzah (radi Allahu anhunna).

It is understood from this that if things like silk or gold come into the possession of a man in any way, instead of using them himself, he can distribute them among his womenfolk.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
By "his women" is not meant wives, because during the blessed life of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), his only spouse was Sayyidah Fatimah (radi Allahu anha). What is meant here are other female relatives of Ali (radi Allahu anhu). In another narration, it is clarified that "I distributed it among the Fawatim" (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Libas wa al-Zinah, Hadith: 5422 (2071)), meaning Fatimah al-Zahra, Fatimah bint Asad, and Fatimah bint Hamzah (radi Allahu anhunna).

(2)
From this, it is understood that silk or gold, etc., are not permissible for men in any way; if one comes across such items, instead of using them himself, he should distribute them among his female relatives. In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Beware! Women have a right over you that you treat them well in providing them with clothing and food." (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Hajj, Hadith: 2950 (1218)). Since this narration was not according to the conditions of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, its content has been established through another hadith. From this, it is also understood that whoever is responsible for someone’s expenses is also responsible for their clothing and accommodation. Ibn Battal has written: There is consensus among the scholars that it is obligatory upon the husband to provide his wife with maintenance and clothing according to necessity, and both ease and hardship should be taken into consideration in this.

(3)
The relevance of this hadith to the chapter heading is established in that Sayyidah Fatimah (radi Allahu anha) also received a piece from this silk garment, which she accepted gladly. And Allah knows best.