It was narrated on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, said: "There was a woman from Bani Israa'eel who was short-statured and she walked in the company of two tall women with wooden sandals in her feet and a ring of gold made of plates with musk filled in them and then looked up, and musk is the best of scents; then she walked between two women and they (the people) did not recognize her, and she made a gesture with her hand like this, and Shu‘bah shook his hand in order to give an indication how she shook her hand." (1).

Amongst the lessons drawn from the above-mentioned Hadeeth:

1- An-Nawawi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: As for the short-statured woman who wore wooden sandals in her feet and walked between two tall women so that she may not be recognized, its ruling, according to our religion, is that she had a sound religious intention i.e. she meant to cover herself so that she may not be recognized and thus not harmed or the like. There is no harm in this at all. However, if she meant to be haughty or likened to perfect women to deceive men and the like, then this is something prohibited.

2- That woman made great efforts to look tall and the proper thing that Muslim should do is to be pleased with the Qadar (i.e. Predestination) of Allaah The Almighty and know that Allaah The Almighty does not look at the outward appearance and colors of His servants, but He The Exalted looks at their hearts and deeds as it was mentioned in the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him: "Allaah does not look at the outward appearance or wealth of any one of you, but He looks at your hearts and deeds." (2).

There are many shot- statured people who became great with their deeds and the good qualities and attributes they are adorned with and the knowledge they gained, and the works that they did perfectly. 

3- Story implies a great warning against the temptations that women may cause and the great efforts they make for temptations and enticement.

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(1)         Reported by Muslim No (2252).

(2)         Reported by Muslim.

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