Assalaamu alaykum dear Scholars. My question is: what is the authenticity of the following narration? The narration goes as follows: The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said, "A woman has two veils: the first is the husband, and the second is the grave. The one that conceals more is the grave." (At-Tabaraani) Is this narration authentic or weak, and can you please provide a chain of narration, if possible? Please shed some light on this narration. May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

This hadeeth was narrated by At-Tabaraani, and some scholars, among whom are Ibn Al-Jawzi in Al-Mawdhoo’aat, Ash-Shawkaani in Al-Fawaa’id Al-Majmoo’ah, As-Suyooti in Al-La’aali Al-Masnoo’ah, and Al-Albaani in Silsilat Al-Ahadeeth Adh-Dha’eefah wal Mawdhoo’ah, ruled that it is fabricated (Mawdhoo’).

Some other scholars, such as As-Sakhaawi in Al-Maqaasid Al-Hasanah, and Al-Ajlooni in Kashf Al-Khafaa’, ruled that this hadeeth is very weak.

As for the meaning of the hadeeth, it is clear; the husband is a veil or protection for the wife as he keeps her chaste, and the grave is a veil for her as it conceals her body from being seen by the people.

For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 91457.

Allaah knows best.