Q: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Act kindly towards women, for a woman is created from a rib..." (Agreed upon) (Part No. 17; Page No. 9) Sheikh Shu`ayb Al-Arna'ut says in his commentary on "Riyad Al-Salihin" by Imam Al-Nawawy regarding this Hadith that, "This is a metaphor and it is clearer in the narration that reads, "A woman is like a rib." Women were not actually created from Adam's rib as some claim and there is nothing in the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) that supports such claim".These are the exact words of Sheikh Al-Arna'ut, although the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated in clear words, "A woman is created from a rib." In my opinion, this is supported by the words of Allah (Exalted be He): Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ (Eve)] He (Exalted be He) also states: It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then) He has created from him his wife [Hawwâ’ (Eve)] And He says: And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them Allah further states: And Allâh has made for you Azwâj (mates or wives) of your own kind Scholars have said that this reference is to women, as Eve was created from the rib of Adam (peace be upon him).Is what Sheikh Al-Arna'ut states correct or not? What is your opinion regarding the Hadith he cited to support his view: "A woman is like a rib. If you attempt to straighten her, you will break her; and if you leave her, you will get pleasure from her from the curvature." (Part No. 17; Page No. 10) Please answer us, may Allah reward you.

A: The apparent meaning of the Hadith is that a woman - and the one meant here is Eve (peace be upon her) - was created from the rib of Adam and this does not contradict the other Hadith that likens a woman to a rib. We learn from them that a woman in her original creation has a curvature just like a rib. This means that a woman is created from a curved rib and thus none denies her curvature. If a husband attempts to straighten his wife and change her curvature, this will cause dissension and separation and that is breaking her. Yet if a husband shows patience with his wife's curvature, their marriage will last. This is explained by the commentators (may Allah be merciful with them all) on the Hadith, such as Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar in his "Al-Fath" (Vol. 6, p. 368). This proves that those who deny that Eve was created from the rib of Adam are mistaken. (Part No. 17; Page No. 11) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.