The hadith also indicates the virtue of emancipating slaves and the greater merit of emancipating a male slave than a female slave. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar explained the reason for this in al-Fath; whoever wishes may consult it. We ask Allah Most High to bring a day when the Muslims will be able to put this virtue into practice. That will only be possible after they return to their religion, with sound understanding and correct practice. Thus they will resume Islamic life and establish the state for which they aspire. May that be soon.
- “Consider carefully where you stand with him—that is, your husband—for he is your Paradise and your Hellfire.”
Al-Nasa’i narrated it in al-Kubra (folio 86/2, The Treatment of Women), Ahmad (4/341 and 6/419), al-Humaydi (355)—from whom al-Hakim narrated it (2/189), and from the latter al-Bayhaqi (7/291)—Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf (7/47/1), and al-Tabarani in al-Awsat (1/170/1), through several routes from Yahya ibn Sa‘id al-Ansari, who said that Bashir ibn Yasar informed him that Husayn ibn Muhsin told him, on the authority of an aunt of his, that she came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning a need. He fulfilled her need, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked her, “Are you married?” She replied, “Yes.” He asked, “How do you treat him?” She said, “I leave nothing undone for him except what I am unable to do.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) then said the aforementioned words.
Al-Hakim said: “Authentic, though neither of the two recorded it.” Al-Dhahabi concurred with him, and al-Mundhiri (3/74) endorsed it. I say: Its narrators are trustworthy narrators of the two Sahihs, apart from Husayn ibn Muhsin. Ibn Hibban included him in The Reliable Successors, but several scholars included him among the Companions. Al-Hafiz apparently inclined to this latter view, for he said in al-Taqrib: “He is counted among the Companions.”