This doubt stems from the hadith of Jabir who reported that
Al Nawawi, Ibn al Jawzi, and Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen explain that the hadith is not saying that a woman is a devil in herself. Rather, it means that Shaytan uses unlawful looking and desire as a way to stir fitnah in the heart of a man. When a woman appears before him, Shaytan may beautify her in his sight, increase his desire, and make the matter seem more attractive than it truly is.
Al Nawawi explains that this is because Allah placed in men a natural inclination towards women, and pleasure in looking at them and what relates to them. For that reason, a woman can become a means through which desire is stirred, just as Shaytan calls towards evil by whispering and beautifying it.
Ibn al Jawzi conveys the same meaning more directly. Shaytan beautifies the woman to the one looking, and the strength of that pull depends on the strength of his desire. When he goes to his wife, the stirring cause becomes weaker, and the lawful replacement removes what was affecting his heart.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen adds that Shaytan may beautify even an unattractive woman in a man’s sight until he sees her as extremely beautiful. This can happen whether she is coming forward or turning away, because the issue is not only the woman herself, but the beautification of Shaytan and the weakness of desire when the gaze is not controlled.
So the meaning of the hadith is practical guidance. A man should lower his gaze, turn away from temptation, and deal with desire through the permissible path of marriage. This protects the heart, the eyes, and chastity, and blocks the way of Shaytan.
Translated Explanations From The Scholars Below
An Nawawi said: His ﷺ words, “A woman comes forward in the form of a devil and goes away in the form of a devil.”
The ulama said: Its meaning is an indication of desire and of being called towards temptation through her, because Allah, Most High, placed in the souls of men an inclination towards women, and pleasure in looking at them and at what is connected to them.
So she is similar to the devil in his calling to evil through his whispering and making it seem attractive.
What is taken from this is that a woman should not go out among men except due to necessity, and that men should lower their gaze from her clothing and turn away from her completely.
The ulama said: He only did this as a clarification for them and as guidance towards what they should do. So he taught them through his action and his words.
It also shows that there is no issue with a man calling his wife to intercourse during the day or at other times, even if she is busy with something that can be left, because desire may overcome a man, and delaying it may harm him in his body, his heart, or his sight. And Allah knows best.
Al Minhaj fi Sharh Sahih Muslim ibn al Hajjaj by Yahya ibn Sharaf al Nawawi pg 870
Ibn Al Jawzī said: His ﷺ words, “in the form of a devil,” mean that the devil makes her matter seem attractive and urges one towards her. The desire of the one looking at her only becomes stronger in proportion to the strength of his lust. Then, when he has intercourse with his wife, the stirring cause becomes weaker, and a lawful replacement is attained.
Kashf al Mushkil min Ḥadīth al Ṣaḥīḥayn by Ibn al Jawzī 3/103
His words, “in the form of a devil,” mean: in a form that Shaytan beautifies, until a person may see a woman who is unattractive as though she is among the most beautiful of women. When she first appears before him, she dazzles him, and he thinks she is among the most beautiful women in the universe, while in reality she may be among the least attractive of women. However, Shaytan beautifies her to a person until he sees her as though she is among the most beautiful of women. The same applies when she turns away. Yes.
