Sayyiduna Abu Kabshah al-Anmari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came among his companions, then went away and performed a ritual bath (ghusl). They said: "O Messenger of Allah! Did something happen?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Yes. A woman passed by me, and desire for my wife arose in my heart, so I went to my wife and was intimate with her. The finest means of protection among your deeds is that a man (fulfils his desire) in a lawful way."
Imam Ahmad recorded it, and Imam al-Tabarani recorded it with the words: "So do likewise." The narrators of Imam Ahmad are thiqat (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب النكاح / 7549
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسنادہ صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اخرجه الطبراني فى المعجم الكبير (338/22) اخرجه احمد فى المسند (231/4) ، أخرجه مسند أحمد برقم: 17567، وأخرجه المعجم الأوسط للطبراني برقم: 3275»