The True Meaning of a Woman Being “Deficient in Intelligence”
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed the women during an Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr sermon and encouraged them to give charity. He said that he had seen most of the dwellers of Hell to be women. When the women asked the reason, the Prophet ﷺ replied:
"You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands."
When the women asked for further clarification, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Is not the testimony of a woman equal to half the testimony of a man?"
They replied: "Yes, it is."
He ﷺ said: "That is because of the deficiency in her intellect."
Then he ﷺ added: "When a woman is in the state of menstruation, she does not pray or fast—that is the deficiency in her religion."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Menstruation, Chapter: A Menstruating Woman Leaving Fasting, Hadith: 305)
This ḥadīth was spoken on a specific occasion when the Prophet ﷺ was raising charity during an Eid gathering. He ﷺ used figurative language (majāz-i-mursal) in his speech. Therefore, the words must be understood in contextual and figurative sense, not in a literal or demeaning way.
Example: Saying “there is a bread problem” refers to an employment or livelihood crisis—not just about bread itself.
Another narration in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim clarifies that the purpose was not to belittle the religious or social status of women, but rather to encourage them to give more in charity to protect themselves from Hellfire.
Jābir (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered the Eid sermon and then approached the women and said:
“Give in charity, for indeed most of you are the fuel of Hell.”
A woman asked: “Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied: “You complain much and are often ungrateful to your husbands.”
As a result, the women began donating their jewelry in charity.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith: 2048)
It is evident that men and women differ naturally in several domains:
Men, in general, tend to be stronger in analytical, logical, and mathematical tasks.
A BBC report (British Journal of Psychology) indicates that men have an average IQ that is 5 points higher than women, reflected in scientific achievements and among Nobel laureates.
On the other hand, women are naturally more adept in emotional intelligence (E.Q.).
They excel in empathy, relationship management, and social responsibilities more than men.
Research shows that women outperform men in emotional intelligence testing.
Men and women are interdependent by nature.
✔ Men may be stronger in analytical capabilities,
✔ Women balance this with superior emotional and social aptitude.
Hence, men need women in emotional and domestic life, and women need men for practical and rational guidance.
They complete one another, not compete.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated:
"Women are the counterparts (shaqā’iq) of men."
(Sunan Abū Dāwūd)
“Shaqā’iq” means that men and women are of the same nature and equal in worth.
Islamic law grants equal status, and the true standard is piety, as mentioned in the Qur'an:
اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْ
(Sūrah Al-Ḥujurāt: 13)
“Indeed, the most honored among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
Neither emotional intelligence nor rational intelligence defines a person’s value in Islam.
The real standard is taqwā (piety) and righteous deeds.
Both men and women are equal in faith with their own unique strengths and responsibilities.
The words of the Prophet ﷺ must be understood in their specific context and with the intended purpose.
This statement was not meant to degrade women, but rather to encourage moral correction and increased charity for their own salvation.
❖ Explanation of the Hadith
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressed the women during an Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr sermon and encouraged them to give charity. He said that he had seen most of the dwellers of Hell to be women. When the women asked the reason, the Prophet ﷺ replied:
"You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands."
When the women asked for further clarification, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Is not the testimony of a woman equal to half the testimony of a man?"
They replied: "Yes, it is."
He ﷺ said: "That is because of the deficiency in her intellect."
Then he ﷺ added: "When a woman is in the state of menstruation, she does not pray or fast—that is the deficiency in her religion."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Menstruation, Chapter: A Menstruating Woman Leaving Fasting, Hadith: 305)
❖ Context of the Hadith
This ḥadīth was spoken on a specific occasion when the Prophet ﷺ was raising charity during an Eid gathering. He ﷺ used figurative language (majāz-i-mursal) in his speech. Therefore, the words must be understood in contextual and figurative sense, not in a literal or demeaning way.
Example: Saying “there is a bread problem” refers to an employment or livelihood crisis—not just about bread itself.❖ Objective: Encouragement for Charity
Another narration in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim clarifies that the purpose was not to belittle the religious or social status of women, but rather to encourage them to give more in charity to protect themselves from Hellfire.
Jābir (RA) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ delivered the Eid sermon and then approached the women and said:
“Give in charity, for indeed most of you are the fuel of Hell.”
A woman asked: “Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied: “You complain much and are often ungrateful to your husbands.”
As a result, the women began donating their jewelry in charity.
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadith: 2048)
❖ Difference Between Intellect and Emotions
It is evident that men and women differ naturally in several domains:
✔ Intellectual Matters
Men, in general, tend to be stronger in analytical, logical, and mathematical tasks.
A BBC report (British Journal of Psychology) indicates that men have an average IQ that is 5 points higher than women, reflected in scientific achievements and among Nobel laureates.
✔ Emotional Matters
On the other hand, women are naturally more adept in emotional intelligence (E.Q.).
They excel in empathy, relationship management, and social responsibilities more than men.
Research shows that women outperform men in emotional intelligence testing.
❖ Complementary Nature of Men and Women
Men and women are interdependent by nature.
✔ Men may be stronger in analytical capabilities,
✔ Women balance this with superior emotional and social aptitude.
Hence, men need women in emotional and domestic life, and women need men for practical and rational guidance.
They complete one another, not compete.
❖ Equality in Islamic Law
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated:
"Women are the counterparts (shaqā’iq) of men."
(Sunan Abū Dāwūd)
“Shaqā’iq” means that men and women are of the same nature and equal in worth.
Islamic law grants equal status, and the true standard is piety, as mentioned in the Qur'an:
اِنَّ اَكْرَمَكُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰىكُمْ
(Sūrah Al-Ḥujurāt: 13)
“Indeed, the most honored among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
❖ Intelligence vs. Human Worth
Neither emotional intelligence nor rational intelligence defines a person’s value in Islam.
The real standard is taqwā (piety) and righteous deeds.
Both men and women are equal in faith with their own unique strengths and responsibilities.
❖ Conclusion
The words of the Prophet ﷺ must be understood in their specific context and with the intended purpose.
This statement was not meant to degrade women, but rather to encourage moral correction and increased charity for their own salvation.
