Questioner:

What is intended by the Prophet’s statement ﷺ : “Take good care of women” [Muslim]

Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān:

The intent is to safeguard and preserve the well-being of the woman so that she is not oppressed and neglected. None of her rights should be violated, and she should not be deemed vulnerable (taken advantage of), mistreated or abandoned; rather one should safeguard her with utmost concern because she is a fitnah (temptation for men). The Prophet ﷺ said: “I have not left after me a fitnah (temptation) more harmful to men than women” [al-Bukhārī] And he said: “Fear the (fitnah of) women for indeed the tribulation of the children of Isrāʾīl was regarding women” [Muslim]

The woman should be well looked after with regards to her not being oppressed (deprived) of her rights that Allāh has legislated for her, and also she should not be neglected and abandoned so as to (irresponsibly) do as she wishes having disregard for shyness and chastity, and a disregard for looking after her house, children, and her husband’s rights, it is a must to be balanced in these issues.