Women

Imam Ali (AS) said, Women are the greater of the two temptations.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Women are [like] meat on the butchers block, except that which is protected [and defended].

Imam Ali (AS) said, Beware of evil women, and be on your guard [even] from the good among them.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Beware of excessive infatuation with women and being tempted (or deceived) by the pleasures of this world, for indeed the one who is infatuated with women faces trials and the one who is tempted by the pleasures [of this world] is abased.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Beware of consulting with women, for indeed their opinions are inclined towards immaturity and their decisions are infirm; and restrain their gazes [by keeping them behind the veil], for your veiling them is better than being suspicions about them, and their coming out [in public] is not worse than your letting one who cannot be trusted enter their abode; and if you are able to ensure that they do not get acquainted with anybody other than you then do it.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily women are [only] concerned about the ornaments of this world and [creating] mischief herein.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Being infatuated with women is the trait of the foolish.

Imam Ali (AS) said, If you see something suspicious from your women, then assign to them a guard who will watch over the old and young [among the family, and not for the women in particular as this will cause them unease], and beware not to continuously scold them for this will incite them to commit sins and make it easy for them to bear the scolding [as they will become accustomed to it].

Imam Ali (AS) said, The best of traits for women is the worst of traits for men.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Obedience to women is the height of ignorance.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Obedience to women degrades the noble ones and destroys the intelligent ones.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Obedience to women is the trait of the foolish.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Whoever [constantly] delights in women, his mind gets corrupted.

Imam Ali (AS) said, O People! Verily women are deficient in faith, lacking in intellect and deficient in shares. As for their deficiency in faith, it is their abstention from prayers and fasting during their menstrual periods, and as for their deficiency in shares, it is due to their inheritance being half of what is inherited by men, and as for their lacking in intellect, it is because the testimony of two women equals the testimony of one man; so beware of the evil women and be on your guard [even] from those of them who are good.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Do not obey women in good [actions] such that they expect [your obedience] in evil.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Never be frequently alone with women, for they will become weary of you and you will also become weary of them, and leave a part of yourself and your mind to tarry [away] from them.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Let women not bear your burden and [try to] be independent from them as much as possible, for indeed they put many obligations [on you] and are ungrateful for [many of your] favours.

Imam Ali (AS) said, The woman is wholly evil, and more evil than her is the fact that man cannot do without her.

Imam Ali (AS) said, A woman is a scorpion whose sting is sweet.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Verily a woman is only [considered] a plaything, so whoever takes her should cover her.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Guarding the woman [from people and places that would harm her chastity] is better for her condition and more lasting for her beauty.

Imam Ali (AS) said, Do not give a woman the responsibility that she cannot bear for indeed a woman is [like] a sweet basil and not a strong ruler [who can govern the people].