Hadith #10183

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

طاعَةُ النِّساءِ غايَةُ الْجَهْلِ۔

This can be translated as,

Obedience to women is the height of ignorance.

To understand the essence of this statement, let us delve into the important words used in this Hadith.

The word (ta'atu) "طاعَةُ" refers to obedience or submission. It is derived from the root word (ta'a) "طَاعَ", which means to obey or comply with someone's command. Obedience is a fundamental aspect of our faith as Muslims, as we are commanded to obey Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and His Messenger (ﷺ).

The word (an-nisaa') "النِّساءِ" refers to women. In this context, it specifically refers to wives or female partners. Women hold a significant role in society, and their rights and responsibilities are emphasized in Islam. However, this Hadith highlights a specific aspect of obedience towards women that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is addressing.

The word (ghayatu) "غايَةُ" means the height or extreme. It signifies the utmost level or pinnacle of something. In this Hadith, it is used to describe the level of ignorance that is reached when one blindly obeys women.

Now, let us turn to the Quran to find support for the exegesis of this Hadith. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 228:

And women have rights similar to those against them in a just manner, while men have a degree (of responsibility) over them.

This verse emphasizes the importance of justice and balance in the relationship between men and women. It highlights that both genders have rights and responsibilities, and neither should oppress or dominate the other.

Furthermore, in Surah An-Nisa, verse 34, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states:

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has made one of them excel the other, and because they spend from their wealth.

This verse highlights the role of men as protectors and maintainers of women. It does not imply blind obedience, but rather a responsibility to provide and support their female counterparts.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the exegesis of the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). The obedience referred to in the Hadith is not the general obedience that is required in a healthy and balanced relationship. Rather, it refers to blind obedience, where a person unquestioningly follows the desires or commands of their female partner without considering the consequences or seeking guidance from Allah and His teachings.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, is cautioning Muslims against blindly obeying women without using their own intellect and seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This is because blindly following the desires or commands of others, regardless of their gender, can lead to ignorance and deviation from the path of righteousness.

It is important to note that this Hadith does not undermine the rights and status of women in Islam. Rather, it serves as a reminder for both men and women to maintain a balanced and just relationship, where obedience is based on mutual respect, consultation, and adherence to the teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that blind obedience to women, or anyone for that matter, without considering the teachings of Islam and using our own intellect, is a manifestation of ignorance. It emphasizes the need for balanced and just relationships, where obedience is based on mutual respect and adherence to the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ). May Allah guide us all to understand and implement the teachings of Islam in our lives.