They replied: “We are from the people of Syria.” She said: “Perhaps you are from the district whose women frequent the bathhouses?” They said: “Yes.” She said: “I indeed heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, say:

‘There is no woman who removes her clothes ...’” the hadith.

I say: This does not contradict the hadith cited in the heading, which establishes that bathhouses existed in Medina during the time of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. At most, it indicates that Homs was known for its women’s frequenting bathhouses, unlike Medina; hence Lady Aishah said what she said. It is authentically established that a number of the Companions entered the bathhouse, such as Abdullah ibn Umar and Abu al-Darda; they tried it and came to know its benefit. Abu Hurayrah and Ibn Umar said:

“What an excellent place the bathhouse is: it removes grime and reminds one of the Fire.” (1)

If this occurred after the conquest of Damascus and Homs, that does not preclude their having begun to build bathhouses in Medina, even during the final part of his life, Allah bless him and grant him peace. This is a historical issue, not a juridical one; therefore, inference and lack of knowledge are insufficient. Rather, an explicit negating text that admits of no interpretation is required. So how can that be, when the affirming text is established? Reflect, then!

This is what I have concluded regarding this matter. If I am correct, it is from Allah; and if I am mistaken, it is from myself. I ask Allah Most High to guide my steps to that which He loves and is pleased with.

(Note): The hadith cited in the heading was omitted from the edition of al-Targhib prepared by the three annotators, without their making the slightest indication of this. This shows that they are far removed from the textual verification which they claimed in the introduction, saying: