More Women in Hell than Men: Why?

The Hadith about women forming the majority in Hell

It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that women will form the majority of the people of Hell. It was narrated from `Imran ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I looked into Paradise and I saw that the majority of its people were the poor. And I looked into Hell and I saw that the majority of its people are women.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 3241 and Muslim, 2737)

Why do women form the majority in Hell?

With regard to the reason for this, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked about it and he explained the reason.

It was narrated that `Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I was shown Hell and I have never seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that the majority of its people are women.” They said, “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because of their ingratitude.” It was said, “Are they ungrateful to Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, `I have never had anything good from you.’” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 1052)

It was narrated that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to the Musalla (prayer place) on the day of `Eid Al-Adha or `Eid Al-Fitr. He passed by the women and said, ‘O women! Give charity, for I have seen that you form the majority of the people of Hell.’ They asked, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’  He replied, `You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religious commitment than you. A cautious and sensible man could be led astray by some of you.’ The women asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, what is deficient in our intelligence and religious commitment?’ He said, 'Is not the testimony of two women equal to the testimony of one man?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, `This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Is it not true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her religious commitment.’”  (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 304)

It was narrated that Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I attended `Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He started with the prayer before the Khutbah (sermon), with no Adhan (call to prayer) or Iqamah (final call to prayer). Then he stood up, leaning on Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), speaking of fear of Allah (Taqwa) and urging us to obey Him. He preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over to the women and preached to them and reminded them. Then he said, ‘Give in charity, for you are the majority of the fuel of Hell. A woman with dark cheeks stood up in the midst of the women and said, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Because you complain too much and are ungrateful to your husbands.’ Then they started to give their jewellery in charity, throwing their earrings and rings into Bilal’s cloak.” (Narrated by Muslim, 885)

Lessons for Muslim women

Our believing sisters who learn of this Hadith should behave like those female Companions who, when they learned of this, did good deeds which would be the means, by Allah’s leave, of keeping them far away from being included in that majority of the inhabitants of Hell.

So our advice to the sisters is to strive to adhere to the rituals and obligatory duties of Islam, especially prayer, and to keep away from that which Allah has forbidden, especially shirk in its many forms which is widespread among women, such as seeking one's needs from someone other than Allah, going to practitioners of witchcraft and fortune-tellers, etc.

We ask Allah to keep us and all our brothers and sisters far away from the Fire and the words and deeds that bring one close to it.

For more details, please see the following answers: 344118 , 22836 , 114050 , 608 , 149336 , and 96619 .

And Allah knows best.