A Perspective on Sunni Hadiths Concerning Women with Emphasis on the Narration “Indeed, They Overcome the Wise, and the Ignorant Overcome Them”

Abstract

The hadith “Indeed, they overcome the wise, and the ignorant overcome them,” which refers to the influence of women on wise men and the harsh behavior of ignorant men, is among the expressions reflected in mystical texts, especially Masnavi-ye Ma'navi. However, its authenticity is questionable in Islamic hadith sources. This study aims to examine its chain of transmission, conduct semantic analysis, and align its concepts with Islamic teachings to determine its place in religious and literary texts. Initially, through examining this hadith in reliable Shia and Sunni hadith sources such as Sahih al-Bukhari, Al-Kafi, and Bihar al-Anwar, it was established that this hadith lacks a credible chain of transmission. Subsequently, the semantic analysis indicated that women's influence on the wise stems from their emotional and ethical strength, while the dominance of ignorant men over women results from their harsh and uninformed behavior. These concepts align with Quranic teachings, such as “And live with them in kindness” (al-Nisa, 4:19), and Prophetic traditions like “The best of you are those who are best to their families.” The importance of this research lies in its emphasis on healthy human relationships and its critique of violence. The findings indicate that, although this hadith lacks an authentic chain of transmission, it contains ethical and mystical messages applicable in Islamic culture and contemporary society. The conclusion of this study underscores the value of wisdom, love, and mutual respect in human relationships.