إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ :
Marriage is a command of Allah and a source of tranquility for mankind
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢١﴾
Allah the Exalted said: “And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, so that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect.”
Hadith 1
عَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : النِّكَاحُ سُنَّتِي فَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِسُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي.
“Aishah, the truthful one (may Allah be pleased with her), reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Marriage is my Sunnah, so whoever does not act upon my Sunnah has no connection with me.”
Marriage is the Sunnah of the Prophets (peace be upon them)
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً ۚ
Allah the Exalted said: “And We certainly sent messengers before you and gave them spouses and offspring.”
Hadith 2
وَعَنْ سَعِيدِ بن جبير قَالَ: قَالَ لِي ابْنُ عَبَّاسِ هَلْ تَزَوَّجْتَ؟ قُلْتُ: لَا ، قَالَ: فَتَزَوَّجْ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَكْثَرُهَا نِسَاءً.
“Sa’id ibn Jubayr reported: Ibn Abbas asked me, ‘Have you married?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said: ‘Marry, for the best of this Ummah is the one who has the most wives,’ referring to Muhammad ﷺ, who had many wives.”
The Prophet ﷺ’s disassociation from one who refrains from marriage
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَاجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ ﴿٧٢﴾
Allah the Exalted said: “And Allah made for you spouses from among yourselves, and made for you, from your spouses, sons and grandsons, and provided you with good things. Do they then believe in falsehood and deny the favour of Allah?”
Hadith 3
وَعَنْ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكِؓ يَقُولُ: جَاءَ ثَلَاثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى بُيُوتِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبِيِّ ، فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُوهَا فَقَالُوا: وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ ، قَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ: أَمَّا أَنَا فَإِنِّي أُصَلَّى اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًا ، وَقَالَ آخَرُ: أَنَا أَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ ، وَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَا أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا، فَجَاءَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ: أَنْتُمُ الَّذِينَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا؟ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ، لَكِنِّي أَصُومُ وَأَفْطِرُ، وَأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي.
“Anas ibn Malik reported: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ asking about his worship. When they were informed of it, they considered it little and said: ‘How can we compare ourselves to the Prophet ﷺ? All his past and future sins have been forgiven.’ One of them said: ‘As for me, I will pray all night forever.’ Another said: ‘I will fast all the time and never break my fast.’ Another said: ‘I will keep away from women and never marry.’ Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to them and said: ‘Are you the ones who said such and such? By Allah, I am the one among you who fears Allah most and is most mindful of Him. But I fast and I break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.'”
Marriage is half of faith
Hadith 4
وَعَنْهُؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الْعَبْدُ فَقَدِ اسْتَكْمَلَ نِصْفَ الدِّينِ ، فَلْيَتَّقِ اللهَ فِي النِّصْفِ الْبَاقِي .
“Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When a servant marries, he has completed half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the other half.”
Glad tidings of Allah’s help for one who marries seeking chastity
Hadith 5
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ثَلَاثَةٌ: حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَوْنُهُمْ: الْمُجَاهِدُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ، وَالْمُكَاتَبُ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ الْأَدَاءَ ، وَالنَّاكِحُ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ الْعَفَافَ.
“Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: There are three whom it is a right upon Allah to help: the slave who seeks to pay his contract of manumission, the one who marries seeking chastity, and the one who fights in the way of Allah.”
Marriage is the best means of love and affection
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ﴿٢١﴾
Allah the Exalted said: “And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, so that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect.”
Hadith 6
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : لَمْ يُرَ لِلْمُتَحَابَّيْنِ مِثْلُ النِّكَاح.
“Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: We have not seen anything better for two who love each other than marriage.”
A righteous wife is the best of worldly goods
Hadith 7
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِوؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: الدُّنْيَا كُلُّهَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ.
“Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The whole world is a provision to be enjoyed, and the best of the world’s provisions is a righteous wife.”
A righteous wife is one of a man’s sources of happiness
Hadith 8
وَعَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِى وَقَاصِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : مِنْ سَعَادَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ ثَلَاثَة ، وَمِنْ شِقْوَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْ سَعَادَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ وَالْمَسْكَنُ الصَّالِحُ ، وَالْمَرْكَبُ الصَّالِحُ ، وَمِنْ شِقْوَةِ ابْنِ آدَمَ الْمَرْأَةُ السُّوءُ، وَالْمَسْكَنُ السوء ، وَالْمَرْكَبُ السَّوْءِ.
“Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Three things are among the happiness of the son of Adam and three are among his misery. Among the things that bring happiness to the son of Adam are: a righteous wife, a good dwelling, and a good means of transport. Among the things that bring misery to the son of Adam are: a bad wife, a bad dwelling, and a bad means of transport.”
On the Day of Resurrection the Prophet ﷺ will boast of his ummah’s large number
Hadith 9
وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : تَزَوَّجُوْا فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.
“Aishah reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Marry, for I will boast of your great numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.”
Every person who has the means has been commanded to marry
Hadith 10
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودِ، قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ : يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمُ الْبَائَةَ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجُ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ .
“And Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to us: O assembly of youth! Whoever among you has the ability to marry, let him marry, and whoever does not have the ability, let him fast, for it will curb his desire.”
It Is Not Permissible for a Person of Means to Completely Cut Off Relations with Women
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ
Allah the Exalted said: “And live with them in a good manner.”
Hadith 11
وَعَنْ سَمُرَةَ ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنْ التَّبَتُّلِ زَادَ زَيْدُ بْنُ أَخْزَمَ وَقَرَأَ قَتَادَةُ: وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً.
“And Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade living in isolation from women (tabattul). Zayd ibn Akhzam added: And Qatadah recited this verse: And We certainly sent messengers before you and gave them wives and offspring.”
There Is No Marriage Without a Guardian
Hadith 12
وَعَنْ أَبِى مُوسَى أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا نِكَاحَ إِلَّا بِوَلِيٍّ.
“And Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: There is no marriage without a guardian’s permission.”
A Marriage Must Have Two Trustworthy Witnesses
Hadith 13
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا نِكَاحَ إِلَّا بِوَلِيِّ ، وَشَاهِدِيْ عَدْل.
“And Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: A marriage cannot take place without a guardian (permission) and two trustworthy witnesses.”
Fosterage Creates Prohibition Just as Lineage Does
Hadith 14
وَعَنْ عَلِيّؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ مِنَ الرِّضَاعَةِ مَا حَرَّمَ مِنَ النَّسَبِ.
“And Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Allah has made unlawful through fosterage what He has made unlawful through lineage.”
Holding Two Sisters, by Foster or Blood Relation, in Marriage at the Same Time
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : وَأَن تَجْمَعُوا بَيْنَ الْأُخْتَيْنِ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ ۗ
Allah the Exalted said: “And [it is also forbidden] that you combine two sisters, except for what has already passed.”
Hadith 15
وَعَنْ فَيْرُوزَ ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ وَتَحْتِي اُخْتَان ، قَالَ : طَلَّقْ أَيْتَهُمَا شِئْتَ.
“Firuz al-Daylami (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said, O Messenger of Allah! Indeed I have embraced Islam, and I have two sisters in my marriage. The Prophet ﷺ said: Divorce whichever of the two you wish.”
Holding a Paternal Aunt and Niece, or a Maternal Aunt and Niece, in Marriage at the Same Time
Hadith 16
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا يُجْمَعُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَعَمَّتِهَا ، وَلا بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَخَالَتِهَا.
“And Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: A woman and her paternal aunt shall not be combined in one man’s marriage, nor a woman and her maternal aunt.”
Marrying More Than Four Women
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا فِي الْيَتَامَىٰ فَانكِحُوا مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ النِّسَاءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَاثَ وَرُبَاعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا فَوَاحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا ﴿٣﴾
Allah the Exalted said: “And if you fear that you will not be able to act justly with orphan girls, then marry from among the women who appeal to you, two, three, or four. But if you fear that you will not be able to be just, then [marry] only one, or what your right hands possess. That is more suitable so that you do not deviate.”
Hadith 17
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: أَسْلَمَ غَيْلانُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ وَتَحْتَهُ عَشْرُ نِسْوَةِ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ : خُذْ مِنْهُنَّ أَرْبَعًا.
“And Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when Ghaylan ibn Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam, he had ten wives. The Prophet ﷺ said to him: Keep four of them (and leave the rest).”
The Prohibition of Mut’ah Marriage
Hadith 18
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: لَمَّا وَلِيَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ، خَطَبَ النَّاسَ ، فَقَالَ: إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَذِنَ لَنَا فِي الْمُتْعَةِ ثَلاثًا ، ثُمَّ حَرَّمَهَا ، وَاللَّهِ لَا أَعْلَمُ أَحَدًا يَتَمَتَّعُ وَهُوَ مُحْصَنْ إِلَّا رَجَمْتُهُ بِالْحِجَارَةِ، إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَنِي بِأَرْبَعَةِ يَشْهَدُونَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَحَلَّهَا بَعْدَ إِذْ حَرَّمَهَا.
“Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said in a sermon that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ permitted us mut’ah three times and then forbade it. By Allah! If I learn of anyone married who contracts a mut’ah marriage, I will stone him to death with stones, unless he brings me four witnesses who testify that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ made it lawful again after having forbidden it.”
Performing Halala Is Forbidden
Hadith 19
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُحِلَّ ، وَالْمُحَلَّلَ لَهُ .
“And Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed both the one who performs halala and the one for whom halala is performed.”
Nikah Shighar Is Prohibited
Hadith 20
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَؓ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ الشَّغَارِ، وَالشَّغَارُ أَنْ يُزَوجَ الرَّجُلُ ابْنَتَهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُزَوجَهُ الْآخَرُ ابْنَتَهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُمَا صَدَاقُ.
“And Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade nikah shighar. Shighar is when a man gives his daughter in marriage to another man on the condition that the other gives his daughter to him in marriage, and there is no dowry (mahr) fixed between them.”
Qualities of a Righteous Wife
Hadith 21
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قِيْلَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ : أَيُّ النِّسَاءِ خَيْرُ؟ قَالَ: الَّتِي تَسُّرُهُ إِذَا نَظَرَ ، وَتُطِيْعُهُ إِذَا أَمَرَ ، وَلَا تُخَالِفُهُ فِي نَفْسِهَا وَمَالِهَا بِمَا يَكْرَهُ.
“And Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked which woman is the best. He said: One who pleases her husband when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands her, and does not oppose him concerning herself or her wealth in a way he dislikes.”
Hadith 22
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا صَلَّتِ الْمَرْأَةِ خَمْسَهَا ، وَصَامَتْ شَهْرَهَا ، وَحَصَّنَتْ فَرْجَهَا، وَأَطَاعَتْ زَوْجَهَا، قِيْلَ لَهَا: ادْخُلِي مِنْ أَى أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ شِشْتِ.
“And Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, it will be said to her (on the Day of Resurrection): Enter by whichever of the gates of Paradise you wish.”
Experts in Domestic Matters
Hadith 23
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: خَيْرُ نِسَاءِ رَكِبْنَ الْإِبِلَ ، صَالِحُ نِسَاءِ قُرَيْشٍ أَحْنَاهُ عَلَى وَلَدٍ فِي صِغَرِهِ، وَأَرْعَاهُ عَلَى زَوْجِ فِي ذَاتِ يَدِهِ.
‘It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: The best of women are those who ride camels, the righteous women of Quraysh, who are most tender towards a child in his infancy and most attentive to their husband’s property.’
Which Woman Should Be Married?
Hadith 24
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ الأَرْبَع : لِمَالِهَا ، وَلِحَسَبِهَا ، وَجَمَالِهَا، وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرُ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ.
‘It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty, and for her religion. So choose the one who is religious, and you will be successful; otherwise, may your hands be covered with dust (i.e., may you be regretful and remorseful).’
The Best Husband
Hadith 25
وَعَنْهُؓ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا خَطَبَ إِلَيْكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ دِينَهُ وَخُلْقَهُ، فَزَوِّجُوهُ، إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوا تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ عَرِيضُ۔
‘It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: When someone comes to you proposing whose religion and character you approve, then marry him to her. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (trial) and great corruption on earth.’
Sending a Proposal Over Another’s Proposal Is Forbidden
Hadith 26
وَعَنِ ابْنَ عُمَرَؓ كَانَ يَقُولُ: نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَبِيعَ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَيْعِ بَعْضٍ ، وَلَا يَخْطُبَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى خِطْبَةِ أَخِيهِ الله حَتَّى يَتْرُكَ الْخَاطِبُ قَبْلَهُ أَوْ يَأْذَنَ لَهُ الْخَاطِبُ.
‘It is narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: None of you should make a proposal over the proposal of his brother, until the previous suitor gives it up or the suitor grants permission.’
It Is Permissible to Appoint a Representative to Arrange a Match
Hadith 27
وَعَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ ، أَتَرْضَى أَنْ أَزَوَجَكَ فُلَانَةَ قَالَ : نَعَمْ ، وَقَالَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ : أَتَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ أُزَوَجَكِ فلانًا؟ قَالَتْ : نَعَمْ، فَزَوَّجَ أَحَدَهُمَا الْآخَرَ.
‘It is narrated from Uqbah ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said to a man: Do you agree that I arrange your marriage to so-and-so woman? He said: Yes. Then he said to the woman: Do you agree that I arrange your marriage to so-and-so man? She said: Yes. So he married the two of them to each other.’
It Is Permissible to Look at One’s Betrothed Once
Hadith 28
وَعَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، قَالَ: خَطَبْتُ امْرَأَةً ، فَقَالَ لِي رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : هَلْ نَظَرْتَ إِلَيْهَا؟ قُلْتُ: لَا ، قَالَ: فَانْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا ، فإنه أخرى أنْ يُودَمَ بَيْنَكُمَا.
‘It is narrated from Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: In the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I sent a proposal to a woman. The Prophet ﷺ asked me: Have you looked at her? I said: No. He said: Look at her, for that is more likely to create affection between you.’
A Woman Cannot Be a Guardian
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ
Allah the Exalted said: “And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe.”
Hadith 29
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : لَا تُزَوِّجُ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمَرْأَةَ ، وَلَا تُزَوِّجُ الْمَرْأَةُ نَفْسَهَا ، فَإِنَّ الزَّنْيَةَ هِيَ الَّتِي تزوج نَفْسَهَا.
‘It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: A woman should not give another woman in marriage, nor should a woman marry herself, for indeed the adulteress is the one who marries herself.’
A Person in the State of Ihram Cannot Act as a Guardian
Hadith 30
وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ ابْنِ عَفَّانَ ، يَقُولُ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : لَا يَنْكِحُ الْمُحْرِمُ وَلَا يُنْكِحُ وَلَا يَخْطُبُ.
‘It is narrated from Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: A person in the state of ihram should not marry, nor arrange a marriage, nor send a proposal.’
If the Girl Is Unwilling, the Guardian Should Not Force Her into Marriage
Hadith 31
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : الْيَتِيمَةُ تُسْتَأْمَرُ فِي نَفْسِهَا ، فَإِنْ صَمَتَتْ فَهُوَ إِذْنُهَا ، وَإِنْ أَبَتْ فَلَا جَوَازَ عليها.
‘It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: An orphan (adult girl) is to be consulted about her marriage. If she remains silent, that is her consent, and if she refuses, then there is no permission to force her into marriage.’
If a Marriage Is Performed Forcibly Without the Girl’s Consent?
Hadith 32
وَعَنْ خَنْسَاءَ بِنْتِ خِدَامِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوْجَهَا وَهِيَ تَيْب فَكَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ ، فَأَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَدَّ نِكَاحَهُ.
‘It is narrated from Khansa bint Khidam al-Ansariyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she was a widow, and her father married her off while she disliked it. So she came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he annulled the marriage her father had arranged.’
Hadith 33
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ جَارِيَةٌ بِكْرًا أَتَتْ النَّبِيِّ ، فَذَكَرَتْ أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوْجَهَا وَهِيَ كَارِهَةٌ ، فَخَيَّرَهَا النَّبِيُّ
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that a virgin girl came to the Prophet ﷺ and mentioned that her father had married her off while she disliked it, so he gave her the choice (that if she wished to end the marriage, she could do so).
The Khutbah of the Nikah
Hadith 34
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ، قَالَ عَلَّمْنَا رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ خُطْبَةَ الْحَاجَةِ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ، نَسْتَعِينُهُ، وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ ولُهُ يَاَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ حَقَّ تُقَتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُّسْلِمُونَ، يَايُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاء وَاتَّقُوا اللهَ الَّذِى تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ، يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا۔۔ يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
’’And Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ taught us this sermon for (times of) need: Indeed, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our souls and from our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and His Messenger. “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except in a state of Islam.” “O mankind! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate and spread from the two of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs (ties of kinship). Indeed, Allah is ever Watchful over you.” “O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success.”
Words of congratulations for the bride and groom
Hadith 35
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا رَفَأَ الْإِنْسَانَ – إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ – قَالَ: بَارَكَ اللهُ لَكَ ، وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ، وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خیر
’’And Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Prophet ﷺ saw a person who had married, he would say: May Allah bless you, bestow His blessings upon you, and join you both in goodness.”
The marriage should be announced publicly
Hadith 36
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَعْلِنُوا النِّكَاح.
’’And Abdullah ibn al-Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Announce the marriage.”
The marital bond between husband and wife does not end even with death
Hadith 37
وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ، أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: أَمَا تَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ تَكُوْنِيْ زَوْجَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ؟ قُلْتُ: بَلَى قَالَ: فَأَنْتِ زَوْجَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ.
And Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said (to me): Would you not like to be my wife in this world and the Hereafter? I said: Yes indeed. He ﷺ said: You are my wife in this world and the Hereafter.”
Offering food to a wife to comfort her
Hadith 38
وَعَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ ، قَالَتْ: كُنْتُ صَاحِبَةَ عَائِشَةَ الَّتِي هَيَّأَتْهَا وَأَدْخَلْتَهَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَعِي نِسْوَةٌ، قَالَتْ: فَوَاللَّهِ مَا وَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهُ قِرَى إِلَّا قَدَحًا مِنْ لَبَنِ . قَالَتْ: فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ ، ثُمَّ نَاوَلَهُ عَائِشَةَ ، فَاسْتَحْيَتِ الْجَارِيَةِ ، فَقُلْنَا: لَا تَرُدِّي يَدَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ، خُذِى مِنْهُ ، فَأَخَذَتْهُ عَلَى حَيَاءِ ، فَشَرِبَتْ نْهُ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: نَاوِلِى صَوَاحِبَكِ، فَقُلْنَا: لَا نَشْتَهِيهِ ، فَقَالَ: لَا تَجْمَعْنَ جُوْعًا وَكَذِبًا قَالَتْ: فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنْ قَالَتْ إِحْدَانَا لِشَيْءٍ نَشْتَهِيْهِ ، لَا أَشْتَهِيْهِ، بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ كَذِبًا ، قَالَ: إِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يُكْتَبُ كَذِبًا حَتَّى تُكتَبَ الْحُذَيْبَةُ كُذَيْبَةٌ.
’’And Asma bint Yazid (may Allah be pleased with her) said: I adorned Aisha, for the Prophet ﷺ, on his wedding, and I brought her to him, and I invited him so that he might see Aisha. Then he came and sat beside Aisha, and a large bowl of milk was brought, from which he drank. Then he offered the bowl to Aisha, but Aisha lowered her head out of shyness. I rebuked Aisha and said: Take the bowl from the hand of the Prophet ﷺ. So Aisha took the bowl from the Prophet ﷺ and drank a little milk. Then he said to Aisha: Give this bowl to your companion. I said: O Messenger of Allah, rather, take the bowl and drink more from it. So he drank from the bowl again and then handed it to me.”
Reward for intercourse
قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: سَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ ۖ
Allah the Exalted said: “Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth however you wish.”
Hadith 39
وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍ: أَنَّ نَاسًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالُوا: لِلنَّبِي : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ذَهَبَ أَهْلُ الدُّثُورِ بِالْأُجُورِ ، يُصَلُّونَ كَمَا نُصَلّى ، وَيَصُومُونَ كَمَا نَصُومُ، وَيَتَصَدَّقُونَ بِفُضُولِ أَمْوَالِهِمْ ، قَالَ: أَوَ لَيْسَ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ مَا تَصَّدَّقُونَ؟ إِنَّ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَكُلّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَكُلَّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةً ، وَكُلّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ، وَأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَنَهى عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ صَدَقَةٌ، وَفِي بُضْعِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ . قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! أَيَأْتِي أَحَدُنَا شَهْوَتَهُ وَيَكُونُ لَهُ فِيهَا أَجْرٌ؟ قَالَ : أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ وَضَعَهَا فِي حَرَامٍ ، أَكَانَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا وِزْرُ؟ فَكَذَلِكَ إِذَا وَضَعَهَا فِي الْحَلَالِ كَانَ لَهُ أَجْرًا.
’’And Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that some companions of the Prophet ﷺ said to the Prophet ﷺ: O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have taken the rewards: they pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from their surplus wealth. He ﷺ said: Has Allah not made for you something to give in charity? Every tasbih (سُبحَانَ اللہ) is a charity, every takbir (اللہ اکبر) is a charity, every tahmid (الْحَمدُلِلہ) is a charity, and every tahlil (لا الہ الا اللہ) is a charity; enjoining good is a charity, and forbidding evil is a charity; and in the intimacy of one of you there is a charity. They said: O Messenger of Allah, when one of us fulfils his desire, will he be rewarded for it? He said: Tell me, if he were to place it in something unlawful, would he bear a sin for it? Likewise, when he places it in what is lawful, he will have a reward.”
Supplication before intercourse
Hadith 40
وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسِ يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَالَ بِاسْمِ اللهِ ، اللَّهُمَّ جَنِّبْنَا الشَّيْطَانَ وَجَنِّبِ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا ، فَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَدٌ لَمْ يَضُرهُ.
’’And Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If any one of you, when going to his wife, says: “In the name of Allah. O Allah, keep Satan away from us, and keep Satan away from what You bestow upon us,” then if a child is decreed from that union, Satan will never be able to harm it.”
وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ
