Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

We cannot take traditions of the Prophet out of context and rush to interpret them piecemeal.

 

We may do well to take the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in their right spirit rather than taking them out of context. He intended to encourage men and women to work harder to excel themselves. So, while mentioning the fact that there are a lot more men who excel, he meant to urge women to exert themselves so that they do not lag behind. The Prophet is a teacher, and he wants all of his students, including males and females to excel.

 

The hadith should in no way be taken to imply that women are inferior to men. How can we do so when the Qur’an is emphatic about the potential equality of males and females in regards to spiritual excellence.

 

Allah says: “And thus does their Lord answer their prayer: “I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours [in My way], be it man or woman: each of you is an issue of the other.” (Aal `Imran: 3: 195)

 

“VERILY, for all men and women who have sur­rendered themselves unto God, and all believing men and believing women, and all truly devout men and truly devout women, and all men and women who are true to their word, and all men and women who are patient in adversity, and all men and women who humble themselves [before God], and all men and women who give in charity, and all self-denying men and self-denying women,  and all men and women who are mindful of their chastity,  and all men and women who remember God unceasingly: for [all of] them has God readied forgiveness of sins and a mighty reward.” (Al-Ahzab 33:35)

 

Almighty Allah knows best.