Authenticity And Brief Explanation of The Hadith, ‘Best of your women, worst of your women..’

[Question and answer taken from Islamqa.info|223833 ]

What is the authenticity of the Hadith below?

Abu Udhaynah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best of your women are loving, fertile, suitable, and comforting, if they fear Allah. The worst of your women unveil their beauty, take pride in their appearance, and they are hypocrites. None of them will enter Paradise except as rarely as you see a red-beaked crow.”

(As-Sunan Al-Kubrá lil-Bayhaqī 13478. Translation:abuaminaelias.com)

Answer: Alhamdulillah.

First: Al-Bayhaqi reported in “As-Sunan Al-Kubra” (13478) through his chain of transmission from Abu Adh-Dhuha Al-Kindi that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best of your women are loving, fertile, suitable, and comforting, if they fear Allah. The worst of your women unveil their beauty, take pride in their appearance, and they are hypocrites. None of them will enter Paradise except as rarely as you see a red-beaked crow.”

This Hadith has been subject to disagreement among scholars regarding its authenticity. Some scholars, including Ibn Al-Qattan Al-Fasi in his book “Al-Nazar fi Ahkam An-Nazar” (177), have deemed it inauthentic. As-Suyuti inclined towards considering it Mursal (a Hadith with an incomplete chain of transmission), and Al-Bayhaqi preceded him in this assessment. However, Al-Albani authenticated it in “Sahih Al-Jami’ As-Sagheer” (3330) and in “As-Silsilah As-Saheehah” (1849).

Second: In “At-Taysir bi Sharh Al-Jami’ As-Sagheer” (1/532), it is stated: “(The best of your women are those who are) fertile (Al-Walud), meaning those who have many children; (loving) Al-Wadud, meaning those who are affectionate towards their husbands; (obedient) Al-Muwati’ah, meaning those who obey their husbands; (and kind) Al-Muwasiah, meaning those who are gentle. (if they fear Allah), meaning if they fear Allah and obey Him. (The worst of your women are those who are Al-Mutabarrijaat) – meaning those who display their adornments to strangers (nonahram men); (who assume the appearance of men) Al-Mutakhayyilaat, meaning those who are arrogant and conceited; (and those who are hypocrites) wa hunna Al-Munafiqaat, meaning those who resemble them. (None of them will enter Paradise, except as rarely as you see a red-beaked crow.”), meaning those who enter Paradise will be few, just like the crow with a red beak.”

And Allah knows best. End quote.

(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna.)