Mukhtasar Muslim

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Sayyiduna Abdullah (the father of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him) passed away and left behind nine or seven daughters (the narrator is unsure). So I married a previously married woman (one who was divorced or whose husband had died). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me, "O Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him), have you married?" I replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, "To a virgin or a previously married woman?" I replied, "O Messenger of Allah! To a previously married woman." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Why did you not marry a virgin, so that she could play with you and you could play with her, or (he peace and blessings be upon him) said, so that she could joke with you and you could joke with her?" Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I replied, 'My father Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away and left behind nine or seven daughters, and I did not think it appropriate to bring a girl like them (i.e., a young girl) among them. I thought it better to bring a wife (into my marriage and for their upbringing) who would look after them and reform them.'" So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "May Allah bless you," or he said some other good words.