What is the authenticity of the hadith that says "women were created for nothing but evil"?

Question

“I think that women were created for nothing but evil.” (Hanbal, Musnad, volume 6, p. 86)

Is the above report authentically attributed to the Prophet SAW?

Answer 1

The hadith is as follows:

قالت عائشة: دخل علي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بسرف وقد نفست وأنا منكسة، فقال لي: " أنفست؟ " فقلت: نعم، يا رسول الله، ولا أحسب النساء خلقن إلا للشر، فقال: " لا، ولكنه شيء ابتلي به نساء بني آدم

Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered upon me when we were at Sarif and I was menstruating and I was depressed.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked: "Are you in menses?"

I replied: "Yes, and I think that women are only created for evil."

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "No, rather this is a thing with which Allah has tested the daughters of Adam."

^{— Musnad Ahmad - Vol 6 Page 86}

The context of this hadith is the same as Bukhari 294, Muslim 1211, Abu Dawud 1782, Nasai 290 etc.

Things to consider:

• The part you have quoted was not said by the Prophet ﷺ, but rather by Aisha, and the prophet ﷺ negated it.

• This hadith with this specific wording is weak because its chain is severed as Abu Ubaid did not meet Aisha.