The Meaning of the Hadith: “Be Kind to Women”

Question:
We are in touch with you, our dear listeners, through today’s episode of the program *Nur 'ala al-Darb* (Light on the Path), with our honored guest, the Honorable Shaykh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan. Umm Salim from Tabuk asks: What is the meaning of the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): “Be kind to women”?

Answer:
Treat women well by respecting them, not belittling their rights, and protecting them from anything that compromises their honor and modesty. This is among the greatest ways to fulfill the trust regarding women. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) protected women in the best way, and the greatest of that is preserving them, providing them with Islamic upbringing, and keeping them away from indecency, the removal of the hijab, immodesty, and free mixing with men. This is among the greatest things Allah has commanded us to do: to establish a proper guardianship over them by preserving and caring for them. This is the greatest trust regarding women. We must not neglect women and leave them to do as they please. Some people cite this hadith for only one aspect, which is that one should be kind to the woman and not mistreat her. Yes, that is obligatory, but greater than that is preventing her from what is inappropriate and what compromises her modesty, chastity, and dignity. Yes.