In the hadiths, a woman is described as a trial, as mentioned in the hadith:
ما تركت بعدي فتنة أضر على الرجال من النساء
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: After me, I have left no trial more harmful to men than women.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari 5096)
Whereas the Holy Prophet ﷺ would not use such words about a woman.
First Point:
The objectors' objection is: How can the Holy Prophet ﷺ describe a woman as a trial? Before this objection, they should understand the meaning and concept of the word "fitnah" (trial). In the Arabic language, this word is used in many meanings, one of which is affliction, test, or trial. In this sense, a woman can be a cause of trial and test for a man, certainly for various reasons. This may include her beauty and charm, the man's responsibilities regarding her maintenance and expenses, or the man's troubles due to her delicacy, etc. Because of a woman's delicacy, when she is called the delicate gender, no one objects.
Second Point:
In this hadith, not every woman is called a trial because in various hadiths the status and greatness of women have been described. In one hadith, a righteous woman is described as the best possession in the world for a man. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
الدنیا متاع وخیر متاع الدنیا المرأۃ الصالحة
Reference: ( Sahih Muslim: 1467 )
Translation: The world is a provision, and the best provision of the world is a righteous woman.
Similarly, Islam has set a standard for marriage with a woman, and the most fundamental quality to seek is good reputation and piety.
Reference: ( Sahih Bukhari: 5090, Sahih Muslim: 1466 )
From these two types of hadiths, it is understood that not every woman becomes a trial for a man in religion, but only those women who are not righteous and pious become so.
Third point:
If the Quran is studied with misunderstanding, then this objection would also apply to the Quran because the Quran states:
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنْطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ذَلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ
Reference: ( Al-Imran: 14 )
Translation: People have been adorned with the love of carnal desires, such as women and sons, and the accumulated treasures of gold and silver, and branded horses, and cattle, and farmland. These are the provisions of worldly life, and Allah is the one who has the best abode.
Thus, among the things in which a person becomes engrossed and forgets his Lord, the love and desire for which causes attachment to the world, the first mentioned is the woman.
Fourth point:
If the word "fitnah" used in the hadith is objectionable, then this word has also been used in the Quran for children, men, and wealth, as in
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
Reference: (Al-Anfal:28)
Translation: And know that your wealth and your children are but a trial, and that surely with Allah is a great reward.
Love for wealth and children generally inclines a person towards betrayal and avoidance of obedience to Allah Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ. Therefore, they are called trials (fitnah), meaning through them a person is tested whether he fulfills the requirements of trust and obedience in their love or not.
وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ
Reference: ( الفرقان:20 )
Translation: And We have made some of you a trial for others (to see) whether you are patient or not.
That is, Allah Almighty sends His Messenger and tests people, thoroughly examining everyone. Both the believers and the disbelievers.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَادِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَكُمْ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ
Reference: ( التغابن:14 )
Translation: O you who have believed! Indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them.
The love of wives and children is natural. Allah Almighty has advised His servants regarding such love which causes them to submit to demands of wives and children that involve any religious prohibition.
Thus, from these evidences, it is understood that this word has not been used only for women but also for others.
