they said: 'From al-Shām.' She said: 'Perhaps you are from the region where women enter the bathhouse?' They said: 'Yes.' She said: 'Indeed, I heard the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) say: "No woman removes her clothes... " [the ḥadīth]. I said: This does not contradict the ḥadīth of the chapter that affirms the existence of the bathhouse in Madīnah during the time of the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam); for the most it indicates is that Ḥimṣ was famous for women entering bathhouses, unlike Madīnah, which is why Lady ʿĀʾishah said what she said. It is authentically reported that a group of Companions entered the bathhouse, such as ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUmar, Abū al-Dardāʾ, and they experienced and recognized its benefit. Abū Hurayrah and Ibn ʿUmar said: 'The bathhouse is a good place; it removes dirt and reminds one of the Fire.' (1) If this was after the conquest of Damascus and Ḥimṣ, it does not negate that they might have started establishing them in Madīnah, even towards the end of his (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) life. The issue is historical, not jurisprudential, so inference and lack of knowledge are insufficient; rather, a definitive text that does not allow for interpretation is required. How, then, when the affirming text is established? Reflect on this! This is what I have concluded regarding this issue; if I am correct, it is from Allāh, and if I am mistaken, it is from myself. I ask Allāh, the Exalted, to guide my steps to what He loves and is pleased with. (Note): The ḥadīth of the chapter has been omitted from the edition of the three commentators of the book "al-Targhīb," without the slightest indication of this, which indicates that they are far from the verification they claimed in the introduction, saying: