Q 4: It was narrated by Imam Ahmad on the authority of Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to her, while her brother, Abdullah ibn Abu ‘Umaiyyah, was with her and there was an effeminate in the house, who was saying, “O ‘Abdullah, if Allah should make you conquer Ta’if, then take the daughter of Ghailan (in marriage) as (she is so fat that) she shows four folds of flesh when facing you, and eight when she turns her back. Upon hearing him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: These (effeminate men) should never enter upon you (O women!).”

( Part No : 4,Page No:265)

 This was mentioned in the Tafsir (explanation/exegesis of the meanings of the Qur’an) of Ibn Kathir volume 2, Surah Al-Nour, p.258. I would like to know what is meant by “she shows four folds of flesh when facing you, and eight when she turns her back”?

A: This means that the woman they mentioned was fat, and due to her obesity, she had four folds of flesh on her stomach. Thus, if anyone saw her coming, he would see four folds on her stomach, and if she went away, he would see from behind the end parts of the four folds on her right side, and another four on the left side, and by that the total amount of folds that would be seen amount to eight.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!