Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
Critics argue that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Three things are a source of misfortune: a woman, a house, and a horse."
Based on this narration, the objectors question:
If these things were truly a source of misfortune, why did the Prophet ﷺ benefit from them?
Were the women who gave birth to Prophets, saints, and sages also misfortunate?
This objection stems from a misunderstanding of a specific narration. The deniers of Hadith or opponents of Islam deliberately ignore the context and present the narration incompletely.
It is narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Misfortune is found in a woman, a house, and a horse."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth 4703)
A similar narration is also found from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) stating the same:
(al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ by Ṭabarānī, Ḥadīth 7710)
It is essential to understand that the Prophet ﷺ often clarified certain sayings through other narrations. If a narration is viewed in isolation, it may lead to misunderstanding. However, other Hadiths offer further context and clarification.
Let us examine the key points to uncover the true understanding of this matter:
➊ The Belief of the Jews:
The notion that a woman, house, or horse is a source of misfortune was part of Jewish beliefs. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned this to criticize and reject such a belief.
➋ Clarification by ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):
She explained that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"May Allah destroy the Jews; they say misfortune lies in women, homes, and horses."
(Musnad al-Ṭayālisī, Ḥadīth 1630)
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) only heard the last part of the statement and not the full context, which led to a misunderstanding.
➌ Correction by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
In another narration, he states:
"If misfortune were to exist in anything, it would have been in a woman, a house, and a horse."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
This implies that misfortune does not inherently exist in these things; the concept itself is baseless.
➍ Clarification from Other Narrations:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is no such thing as misfortune. Rather, three things are a source of blessing: a woman, a home, and a horse."
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth 1993)
It becomes clear that the Prophet ﷺ did not declare women, homes, or horses as sources of misfortune. He was rejecting the Jewish belief by quoting it. Some Companions did not hear the full statement, which led to confusion, but it was clarified during their own lifetimes through authentic Hadiths.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ did not label women or any other object as misfortunate.
✔ He was refuting a belief held by the Jews, which some Companions misheard or misunderstood.
✔ Islam honors women and grants them a noble status. Declaring marriage a Sunnah and elevating the role of women in society are testaments to this dignity.
❖ Detail of the Objection
Critics argue that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Three things are a source of misfortune: a woman, a house, and a horse."
Based on this narration, the objectors question:
If these things were truly a source of misfortune, why did the Prophet ﷺ benefit from them? Were the women who gave birth to Prophets, saints, and sages also misfortunate?❖ Foundation of the Objection
This objection stems from a misunderstanding of a specific narration. The deniers of Hadith or opponents of Islam deliberately ignore the context and present the narration incompletely.
❖ The Text and Context of the Hadith
It is narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Misfortune is found in a woman, a house, and a horse."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth 4703)
A similar narration is also found from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) stating the same:
(al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ by Ṭabarānī, Ḥadīth 7710)
❖ Explanation of the Hadith
It is essential to understand that the Prophet ﷺ often clarified certain sayings through other narrations. If a narration is viewed in isolation, it may lead to misunderstanding. However, other Hadiths offer further context and clarification.
❖ The Reality Behind the Objection
Let us examine the key points to uncover the true understanding of this matter:
➊ The Belief of the Jews:
The notion that a woman, house, or horse is a source of misfortune was part of Jewish beliefs. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned this to criticize and reject such a belief.
➋ Clarification by ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):
She explained that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"May Allah destroy the Jews; they say misfortune lies in women, homes, and horses."
(Musnad al-Ṭayālisī, Ḥadīth 1630)
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) only heard the last part of the statement and not the full context, which led to a misunderstanding.
➌ Correction by ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما):
In another narration, he states:
"If misfortune were to exist in anything, it would have been in a woman, a house, and a horse."
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
This implies that misfortune does not inherently exist in these things; the concept itself is baseless.
➍ Clarification from Other Narrations:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"There is no such thing as misfortune. Rather, three things are a source of blessing: a woman, a home, and a horse."
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, Ḥadīth 1993)
❖ Summary
It becomes clear that the Prophet ﷺ did not declare women, homes, or horses as sources of misfortune. He was rejecting the Jewish belief by quoting it. Some Companions did not hear the full statement, which led to confusion, but it was clarified during their own lifetimes through authentic Hadiths.
❖ Response to the Objection
✔ The Prophet ﷺ did not label women or any other object as misfortunate.
✔ He was refuting a belief held by the Jews, which some Companions misheard or misunderstood.
✔ Islam honors women and grants them a noble status. Declaring marriage a Sunnah and elevating the role of women in society are testaments to this dignity.
