Question
Where can I find the following Hadith and how sound is it?
“Muslim ibn ‘Ubayd related from Asma bint Yazid Al Ansariyyah that she went to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) while he was seated with his Companions. She said,
‘I came as an emissary to you from a group of women. Indeed Allah has sent you to both men and women, and we believe in you. Indeed, we women are limited and constrained, though we are the pillars of your houses, from us do you fulfill your desires, and we also carry your children. Indeed, you men have been favoured over us by the congregational Friday prayer and by all other congregational prayers, by visiting the sick, by attending funeral prayers, by performing pilgrimage after pilgrimage, and better than all of that – Jihad in the way of Allah. When men go out to perform Hajj, Umrah, or Jihad, we protect for them their wealth, spin for them their garments, and raise for them their children. Shall we not share with you in this recompense and reward?’
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) turned to his Companions and said, ‘Have you ever heard any speech of a woman that is more beautiful than this woman’s questioning regarding the affairs of her religion?’ They said, ‘O Rasulullah, we never thought that a woman should be guided to something like this.’
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) turned to her and said, ‘Understand this, O woman, and teach this to those women whom you left behind: For a woman to be a good spouse to her husband, for her to seek his pleasure, for her to follow and cooperate with him, is equal to all of that (i.e., all of the rewards that men get for their toils or for the deeds mentioned above).’
She left and was making Tahlil and Takbir (i.e., she was saying ‘La ilaha illallah’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’) out of rejoice.”
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this lengthy narration in question.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 8369)
Many Muhaddithun have recorded a concise version of this Hadith in their Hadith collections with their own chain of narrators. These chains when combined gain collective strength. The Hadith in question is suitable to quote.
(Refer: Kitabul ‘iyal of Hafiz Abu Bakr ibn Abid Dunya, Hadith: 528, Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 15914, Musnad Bazzar; Kashful Astar, Hadith: 1474. Also see Targhib, vol. 3, pg. 53 Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 4, pg. 305 and Hayatus Sahabah, vol. 1, pg. 913)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar