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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Nahjul Balagha Part 1, The Sermons Sermon 80: O people, women are ... After the Battle of Jamal, [^1] Concerning Women and their Shortcomings. ومن كلام له (عليه السلام) بعد فراغه من حرب الجمل، في ذم النساء O people! Women are deficient in Faith, deficient in shares and deficient in intelligence. As regards the deficiency in their Faith, it is their abstention from prayers and fasting during their menstrual period.

As regards deficiency in their intelligence it is because the evidence of two women is equal to that of one man. As for the deficiency of their shares that is because of their share in inheritance being half of men. So beware of the evils of women. Be on your guard even from those of them who are (reportedly) good. Do not obey them even in good things so that they may not attract you to evils.

Alternative Sources for Sermon 80 (1) Sibt ibn al-Jawzi, Tadhkirah, 85; (2) Abu Talib al-Makki, Qut, I, 282; (3) al-Kulayni, Furu` al-Kafi, V; (4) al-Saduq, al-'Amali, Majlis 50; (5) al-Mufid, al-'Ikhtisas. [^1]: Amir al-mu'minin delivered this sermon after the devastation created by the Battle of Jamal. Since the devastation resulting from this battle was the outcome of blindly following a woman's command, in this sermon he has described women's physical defects and their causes and effects.

Thus their first weakness is that for a few days in every month they have to abstain from prayer and fasting, and this abstention from worship is a proof of their deficiency in Faith. Although the real meaning of `iman (belief) is heart-felt testimony and inner conviction yet metaphorically it also applies to action and character. Since actions are the reflection of Belief they are also regarded as part of Belief.

Thus, it is related from Imam `Ali ibn Musa ar-Rida (p.b.u.t.) that: `iman (belief) is testimony at heart, admission by the tongue and action by the limbs.