Question

I want to know that whether Sayyidah Hawwa was created from the ribs of Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) or the Hadith that states so has a metaphorical meaning?

And is the story of Sayyidah Hawwa’s creation from Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) from Israili Rawayat ?

Lastly, what is the meaning of نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ in verse 1 of Surah Nisa ?

 

Answer

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Be good to women, for indeed the woman was created from a rib…”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3331 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 3631)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) commented on this Hadith with the following:

“It is said that this Hadith points to the fact that Hawwa was created from the left rib of Adam (‘alayhis salam)… as reported by Ibn Ishaq.”

(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 3331)

Imam  Nawawi (rahimahullah) writes;

“In this [Hadith] is support for what the Jurists, or some of them say: that Hawwa was created from the rib of Adam (‘alayhis salam). Allah Ta’ala said: ‘He created you from a single soul and created from it, its spouse.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has clarified [in this Hadith] that she was created from [his] rib.”

(Sharh Muslim, Hadith: 3631. Also see Takmilah Fathul Mulhim, vol. 1, pg. 93)

The above explanations indicate to the literal meaning being understood by the Scholars.

(Also see: Tafsir Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir Ruhul Ma’ani, Surah Nisa, Ayah: 1)

The meaning of the verse: “O People, fear your Rabb, who created you from a single soul and created from it its spouse, and He spread out [on Earth] from them many men and women…”

(Surah Nisa, verse: 1)

Allah Ta’ala is referring to the same discussion above; that first Nabi Adam (‘alayhis salam) was created, and from him Allah created his spouse; Sayyidah Hawwa. Allah Ta’ala then used them two to create the rest of mankind.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar