The Book of Suckling
17/18. Chapter:
Advice with regard to women
Sahih Muslim
وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ كَالضِّلَعِ إِذَا ذَهَبْتَ تُقِيمُهَا كَسَرْتَهَا وَإِنْ تَرَكْتَهَا اسْتَمْتَعْتَ بِهَا وَفِيهَا عِوَجٌ " .
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Woman is like a rib. When you attempt to straighten it, you would break it. And if you leave her alone you would benefit by her, and crookedness will remain in her.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 715lIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 77USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3466