Ten hadiths on the virtues of women
Females have a very high degree in Islam, which does not fit in with the mass media image of a downtrodden Muslim woman. As a daughter, wife or mother, a Muslim woman gains many blessings. Thus, a daughter is the cause of the acquisition of Paradise by her father; a wife completes half of her husband’s faith; and a mother is the woman under whose feet is Paradise. There are many sayings of the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), which report on the many blessings associated with women. Here are some of them.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “When a female child is born, Almighty Allah sends His angels to that house. They come to the dwellers of the house and pray that peace may be upon them, The angels then cover the newly born girl in the shadow of their wings and caressing the head of the baby with their hands they say that, this is a weak and frail person, whoever will bear the responsibility of cherishing her will go on having the blessing of the Almighty until the Day of Judgement.” (Narrated by At-Tabarani).
A hadith says, “To the one who brings up daughters and treats them kindly, they will become his protectors from the flames of hell.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Another saying says, “The best of you is the one who treats his wife and daughters best.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi).
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) noted, “This world is given to you for temporary use, and the best of what you can get for use in this world is a righteous wife.” (Narrated by Muslim).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes.” (Narrated by Al Bazaar).
Another hadith says, “The women of this world (believers) are seventy thousand times more excellent than the houris.” (Narrated by Ibn al-Mubarak).
Another saying says, “The advantage of women over men is that they are more sensual in pleasures (i.e. out of a hundred parts they feel ninety-nine parts). But God the Almighty made them shy in this.” (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi).
Once, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw women riding camels. The driver drove the camels so fast that such a ride caused great inconvenience to the women. Then the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, “You are carrying fragile vessels, be careful with them.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari).
The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A woman from the time of pregnancy until childbirth and weaning the baby is like a guard standing in the way of God, if she dies during this period, then her reward will be as a martyr.” (Narrated by At-Tabarani).
It is reported that once Mu'awiya ibn Jahim al-Sulami came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of God, I intend to join the expedition and I seek your counsel!” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “Do you have a mother?” He replied, “Yes.” Then the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Take care of her, truly Paradise is under her feet!” (Narrated by An-Nasai).
