Do you know why more women are in hell in Islam or what is the context of this common hadith? Or do you know that this hadith helps me as a Muslim lady personally to lead a better life whenever I practice it through my life and that it supports my faith in this miraculous faith of Islam in its unique dealing with women even in the warning style, proving divine and absolute knowledge of Almighty God?!
This article explores the prophetic saying when the Prophet Muhammad mentioned that women are the most of hell people, analyzes the combined parts of the prophetic saying, and refutes the misconception around it, highlighting the true position of women in Islam. Also, the article stresses the Islamic principle of justice illustrated in declaring the same sin for both men and women while the mention of women carries more alert for them out of frequency in falling in the problems mentioned compared to men. Keep reading for deeper insights!
Are More Women in Hell in Islam?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states that women are the majority of the people of Hell in many authentic hadiths, saying in one of them:
“O womenfolk, you should give charity and ask much forgiveness for I saw you the majority of Hell people. A wise lady among them said: Why is it, Messenger of Allah, that our folk is in bulk in Hell? Upon this the Prophet observed: You curse too much and are ungrateful to your spouses.”
Let’s analyze the context of this hadith combined with other Quranic verses and Prophetic sayings for a better understanding of the text:
Women Are the Majority in Both Paradise and Hell
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states in a hadith about the pleasure of paradise that every person would have two wives:
“The (members) of the first group to get into Paradise … every person would have two wives.”
[Sahih Muslim]
Commenting on this hadith, some scholars deduce that since women are more than men in paradise, and in hellfire in the other hadith, this means that women are more than men in human beings.
The Warning Is Built on Actions That Women Can Stop
Warning of hellfire is reasoned by specific actions that women can focus on getting rid of them to purify their hearts and pass the test of life moving to paradise. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentions the common reasons behind hell entry for women, saying,
“You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands”
[Sahih Muslim]
Thus, the major reasons for hell entry for women are:
- Frequent cursing and related tongue miseries
- Ungratefulness to the benevolence of close ones
In another narration, the Prophet (PBUH) illustrates women’s ungratefulness saying:
“If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them (i.e., a woman) and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 29]
Thus, through prophetic clear and measurable instructions, women can reform themselves to reach the best version of elevation and high grades in paradise.
Almighty God Gives Women Ability to Challenge Their Shortcomings
The test of divine instructions to keep women away from hell is bearable and manageable. Almighty God states in the Quran that the general law is that God won’t burden anyone with an unbearable order:
“Allāh does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.” [2:286]
In another verse, Almighty God states:
“Allah does not require of any soul beyond what He has given it.” [65:7]
Thus, women can improve their behaviors and keep away from hell by sincerely asking Almighty God to get rid of bad actions and taking actual steps for reformation.
Read more:
Examples of Women High Models Prove the Possibility of Test Success
Islam provides many examples of women who elevate themselves and deserve high grades in paradise exceeding a lot of men in life test. This can inspire sincere women to follow the footsteps of successful women such as Asyiah, Mary, and Khadijah.
For more on this topic, read:
- What Does The Quran Say About Women?
- +10 Women Mentioned In The Quran
- Was Mary the Only Woman Mentioned in the Quran?
The Hadith Provides Healthy Warning Implies Mercy and Practical Remedy
Warning in Islam is a means for helping the Muslim to keep away from it, not a means for despair. The evidence in this warning for women is that the hadith carries the reasons of hell entry and provides the practical solutions helping to overcome this obstacle. The Prophet mentions two measures that women can focus on to save themselves from warning of hell entry:
- Giving charity
- Increase in asking God for forgiveness
The Prophet (PBUH) uses these measures as an introduction for giving them the warning, encouraging them to take action in a healthy way of warning:
“ You should give charity and ask much forgiveness …”
Thus, the early women who listened to this Prophetic preaching were encouraged to give instant charity:
“They (women) began to give alms out of their ornaments such as their earrings and rings.”
[Sahih Muslim]
Islam Is the Only Religion and System Elevating Women and Willing Happiness for Them
When truth seekers give a comprehensive look to Islamic teachings related to women, they have no choice but to admire this system. For example:
- Marriage: Islam guaranteed dowry for wives and asks men to provide for them and be in charge of them as an obligation.
- Motherhood: Islam urges the followers to care for their mothers till their last moments.
- Inheritance: Islam provides certain shares for women in inheritance.
Do Christianity, Judaism, feminism, liberation, or any other system guarantee the same level of honor for women or similar to it?!
Read more: Why Might Women In Arab Society Have Welcomed Islam?
The Hadith Is a Reflection of Divine Absolute Knowledge and Wisdom
Almighty All-Knowing God creates human beings, and He is the Only One that has absolute knowledge of their shortcomings and methods to encourage them effectively for positive change.
The current situation of women’s lives and complaints proves that the concept is the same and the reformation is the same as well and that Islamic legislation is suitable for every place and time. As Almighty God says:
“How could He not know His Own creation? For He ˙alone˙ is the Most Subtle, All-Aware.”
[67:14]
Read more:
- Is There More Than One God?
- Who Is The Real & True God In The World?
- Why Aren’t There Any Mediators between God And His Slaves in Islam?
- The Concept of God’s Mercy in Islam and Christianity
Men Committing Sins Mentioned in Hadith Deserve Punishment
Punishment out of being ungrateful or cursing is not restricted to women. Men who commit those actions mentioned in the hadith of warning to women deserve hell punishment. The warning comes especially for women since they are more vulnerable and easy to fall into these sins.
Almighty God states the principle of justice in accounting, saying:
“Each person will only have what they endeavored towards”
Thus, justice is a general Islamic principle governing both men and women in rulings and accounting.
Read more:
- What Does The Quran Teach About Men And Women At A Spiritual Level?
- Why Do Men And Women Pray Separately In Islam?
- Can Men And Women Be Friends In Islam?
- Why Can’t Women Have Multiple Husbands In Islam
Sins Mentioned in the Hadith Do Not Lead to Eternal Hell
The hadith was directed at Muslim women as a motivational warning to help them eliminate sins such as ingratitude and frequent cursing. However, even if a woman commits these sins, her belief in Almighty God and His final Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH), serves as a safeguard against eternal punishment in Hell.
Moreover, Almighty God may forgive whomever He wills, and sincere repentance absolves both men and women from these sins.
For more on repentance and the only unforgivable sin in Islam that results in eternal punishment if one dies without repenting, read:
Conclusion
To conclude, the hadith stating that more women are in Hell in Islam serves as a unique warning for Muslim women, guiding them to avoid specific sins and follow the prescribed remedies. Rather than being a message of despair, it is an effective call for self-reformation.
While the hadith highlights a common pitfall that Muslim women may encounter, ultimate salvation lies in belief in one God and His final Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH). The far greater danger applies to both men and women who die without repenting from the unforgivable sin of polytheism or adhering to any faith other than Islam.
Fortunately, you still have the chance to win salvation by reverting to Islam and following easy steps. Start a conversation with our team right now and become a Muslim to have all your past sins forgiven and start a new life!
