Forty Authentic Hadiths Regarding Nikah and Marriage

Written by: Abu Hamzah Abd al-Khaliq Siddiqi

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 :
Indeed, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him and seek His help. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide him, and whomever He sends astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. To proceed:

Nikah is a command of Allah and a means 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﴾ (الروم : 21)
Allah the Exalted said: “And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves spouses 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.” (Ar-Rum: 21)

Hadith 1​

عَنْ عَائِشَةَؓ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : النِّكَاحُ سُنَّتِي فَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِسُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي.
It is narrated from Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Nikah (marriage) is my Sunnah, so whoever does not act upon my Sunnah has no connection with me.”

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, no. 3949; Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, no. 3124

Marriage is the Sunnah of the Prophets​

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً ۚ (الرعد : 38)
Allah the Exalted said: “And indeed We sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring.” (Ar-Ra'd: 38)

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 (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said to me, “Have you married?” I replied, “No.” He said, “Then marry, for indeed the best of this Ummah (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) had the most wives.”

Reference: Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, no. 6807

The Prophet’s declaration of dissociation from the one who does not marry​

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﴾ (النحل :72)
Allah the Exalted said: “And Allah has made for you from yourselves spouses and made for you from your spouses sons and grandchildren and provided for you from the good things. Then do they believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the favor of Allah?” (An-Nahl: 72)

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 (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asking about the worship of the Prophet. When they were informed of it, they deemed it little and said, “Where are we compared to the Prophet, whose 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 continuously and never break my fast.” The third said, “I will keep away from women and never marry.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) then came to them and said, “Are you the ones who said such-and-such? By Allah, indeed I am the one who fears Allah the most among you and is most dutiful to Him, but I fast and break my fast, I pray and sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah has no connection with me.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5063; Sahih Muslim, no. 1401; Sunan an-Nasa'i, no. 3217; Musnad Ahmad, vol. 3, p. 241

Nikah is half of faith​

Hadith 4​

وَعَنْهُؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الْعَبْدُ فَقَدِ اسْتَكْمَلَ نِصْفَ الدِّينِ ، فَلْيَتَّقِ اللهَ فِي النِّصْفِ الْبَاقِي .
It is also narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a servant marries, he has completed half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.”

Reference: Hidayat ar-Ruwat, no. 3032; Shu'ab al-Iman by al-Bayhaqi, no. 5486; al-Mustadrak by al-Hakim, 2/161

Glad tidings of divine help for the one who marries intending 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 Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are three whose help is a right upon Allah: the one striving in the path of Allah, the contracted slave who intends to pay off (his contract), and the one who marries wanting chastity.”

Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Book of the Virtues of Jihad, no. 1655; Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 18; Sahih at-Targhib wa at-Tarhib, no. 1917

Nikah 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﴾ (الروم : 21)
Allah the Exalted said: “And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves spouses 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.” (Ar-Rum: 21)

Hadith 6​

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : لَمْ يُرَ لِلْمُتَحَابَّيْنِ مِثْلُ النِّكَاح.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Nothing has been seen for two who love one another like nikah (marriage).”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, no. 1847; Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 624

A righteous wife is the best provision of this world​

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 (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The whole world is an enjoyment, and the best enjoyment of the world is a righteous woman.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Suckling, no. 1467; Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 1855

A righteous wife is a man’s good fortune​

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 (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “From the happiness of the son of Adam are three things, and from the misery of the son of Adam are three things. From his happiness is a righteous wife, a good dwelling, and a good mount; and from his misery is a bad wife, a bad dwelling, and a bad mount.”

Reference: Musnad Ahmad, 1/168; Sahih at-Targhib, Book of Marriage, no. 1914

The Prophet’s pride on the Day of Resurrection due to the multitude of his Ummah​

Hadith 9​

وَعَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ : تَزَوَّجُوْا فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Marry, for indeed I will boast of your great numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.”

Reference: Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, no. 6807

Every person who has the ability is 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 .
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O group of young men, whoever among you is able to afford the means to marry, let him marry; and whoever is not able, then upon him is fasting, for it will be a protection for him.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5065; Sahih Muslim, no. 1400; Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 3046

It is not permissible for a capable person to completely abstain from women​

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ (النساء : 19)
Allah the Exalted said: “And live with them in kindness.” (An-Nisa: 19)

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.
Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade celibacy (completely abstaining from women). Zayd ibn Akhzam added (in his narration), and Qatadah recited the verse: “And indeed We sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, no. 1449; authenticated by al-Albani

No marriage without a guardian (wali)​

Hadith 12​

وَعَنْ أَبِى مُوسَى أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا نِكَاحَ إِلَّا بِوَلِيٍّ.
Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no marriage except with a guardian.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Marriage, no. 2085; authenticated by al-Albani

There must be two just witnesses in a marriage​

Hadith 13​

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ، أَنَّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا نِكَاحَ إِلَّا بِوَلِيِّ ، وَشَاهِدِيْ عَدْل.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There is no marriage except with a guardian and two just witnesses.”

Reference: Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi, 7/128; Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, no. 7557

Breastfeeding also creates prohibition like lineage​

Hadith 14​

وَعَنْ عَلِيّؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ مِنَ الرِّضَاعَةِ مَا حَرَّمَ مِنَ النَّسَبِ.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed Allah has prohibited through breastfeeding what He has prohibited through lineage.”

Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Book of Suckling, no. 1146; Irwa' al-Ghalil, 6/284

Keeping two sisters, whether through lineage or breastfeeding, in marriage at the same time​

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : وَأَن تَجْمَعُوا بَيْنَ الْأُخْتَيْنِ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ سَلَفَ ۗ (النساء : 23)
Allah the Exalted said: “And (forbidden to you is) that you combine two sisters (in marriage) at the same time, except what has already passed.” (An-Nisa: 23)

Hadith 15​

وَعَنْ فَيْرُوزَ ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ وَتَحْتِي اُخْتَان ، قَالَ : طَلَّقْ أَيْتَهُمَا شِئْتَ.
Fayruz (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have accepted Islam and I have two sisters (as wives) under me.” He said: “Divorce whichever of the two you wish.”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Divorce, no. 2243; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, no. 1130

Combining a paternal aunt with her niece or a maternal aunt with her niece in marriage​

Hadith 16​

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: لَا يُجْمَعُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَعَمَّتِهَا ، وَلا بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَخَالَتِهَا.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A woman and her paternal aunt are not to be combined (in marriage to one man), nor a woman and her maternal aunt.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5109

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﴾ (النساء : 3)
Allah the Exalted said: “And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those that please you of women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then (marry only) one or those your right hands possess. That is more suitable that you may not incline (to injustice).” (An-Nisa: 3)

Hadith 17​

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: أَسْلَمَ غَيْلانُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ وَتَحْتَهُ عَشْرُ نِسْوَةِ ، فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ : خُذْ مِنْهُنَّ أَرْبَعًا.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Ghilan ibn Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted Islam while he had ten wives. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: “Keep four of them (and separate from the rest).”

Reference: Irwa' al-Ghalil, no. 1883; Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 1953; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, no. 1128

The prohibition of temporary marriage (mut'ah)​

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.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: When Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) took charge (of the caliphate), he addressed the people and said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) permitted us temporary marriage (mut'ah) three times, then he forbade it. By Allah, if I ever find anyone practicing mut'ah while he is married (muhsan), I will certainly stone him with stones, unless he brings me four witnesses who testify that the Messenger of Allah allowed it after having forbidden it.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, no. 1963; Talkhis al-Habir, 3/154

Arranged halalah is forbidden​

Hadith 19​

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُحِلَّ ، وَالْمُحَلَّلَ لَهُ .
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who does halalah (the tahlil husband) and the one for whom halalah is done.

Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, no. 1120

Shighar marriage 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.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade shighar. Shighar is when a man marries his daughter to another man on condition that the other marries his daughter to him, and there is no dowry between them.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5112; Sahih Muslim, no. 1415; Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 2074; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, no. 1124

The 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.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: It was said to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), “Which women are best?” He said: “The one who pleases him (her husband) when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands, and does not go against him with regard to herself or his wealth in a way that he dislikes.”

Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, no. 3331; Irwa' al-Ghalil, no. 1786; Sahih al-Jami' as-Saghir, no. 3298; Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 1838

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.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If a woman prays her five (daily) prayers, fasts her (month of) Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: ‘Enter Paradise from whichever of its gates you wish.’”

Reference: Sahih Ibn Hibban, no. 1296; Majma' az-Zawa'id, 4/305

Skilled in household 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.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best women who ride camels (i.e. the best among women) are the righteous women of Quraysh: they are the kindest to their children when they are small and the best in protecting the wealth of their husbands.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5082; Sahih Muslim, no. 257

What kind of woman should one marry?​

Hadith 24​

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: تُنْكَحُ الْمَرْأَةُ الأَرْبَع : لِمَالِهَا ، وَلِحَسَبِهَا ، وَجَمَالِهَا، وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرُ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A woman is married for four reasons: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty, and for her religion. So attain success by choosing the one who is religious, may your hands be dusty (i.e. may you prosper).”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5090; Sahih Muslim, no. 1466; Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 2047

The best type of husband​

Hadith 25​

وَعَنْهُؓ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : إِذَا خَطَبَ إِلَيْكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ دِينَهُ وَخُلْقَهُ، فَزَوِّجُوهُ، إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوا تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ عَرِيضُ۔
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If someone whose religion and character you are pleased with comes to you (seeking marriage), then marry (your women) to him. If you do not do so, there will be tribulation in the land and widespread corruption.”

Reference: Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, no. 1084; Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, no. 1967

It is forbidden to send a proposal over your brother’s proposal​

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.
Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade that some of you sell over the sale of others, and that a man propose over the proposal of his brother until the first suitor leaves off or gives him permission.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5142; Musnad Ahmad, 2/42

It is permissible to appoint someone as 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.
Uqbah ibn Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to a man: “Do you accept that I marry you to so-and-so (woman)?” He replied, “Yes.” Then he said to the woman: “Do you accept that I marry you to so-and-so (man)?” She replied, “Yes.” So he married one of them to the other.

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Marriage, no. 2117

It is permissible to look once at the fiancée​

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.
Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I proposed to a woman, so the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: “Have you looked at her?” I said, “No.” He said: “Then look at her, for that is more likely to create affection between you.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Marriage, no. 1865; Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, 1/151–152

A woman cannot be a guardian (wali)​

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَلَا تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ (البقرة : 221)
Allah the Exalted said: “And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe.” (Al-Baqarah: 221)

Hadith 29​

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَؓ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : لَا تُزَوِّجُ الْمَرْأَةُ الْمَرْأَةَ ، وَلَا تُزَوِّجُ الْمَرْأَةُ نَفْسَهَا ، فَإِنَّ الزَّنْيَةَ هِيَ الَّتِي تزوج نَفْسَهَا.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A woman is not to marry another woman (i.e. act as her guardian), nor is a woman to marry herself off. Indeed, the woman who marries herself off is a fornicator.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 1882; Hidayat ar-Ruwat, Book of Marriage, no. 3072

A person in the state of ihram cannot be a guardian​

Hadith 30​

وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ ابْنِ عَفَّانَ ، يَقُولُ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : لَا يَنْكِحُ الْمُحْرِمُ وَلَا يُنْكِحُ وَلَا يَخْطُبُ.
Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The muhrim (one in the state of ihram) is not to marry, nor marry (someone else) off, nor give a proposal.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Marriage, no. 1409

If a girl is not pleased, the guardian must 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.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The orphan girl (who has reached marriageable age) must be consulted regarding herself. If she remains silent, that is her permission; and if she refuses, then there is no (valid) marriage over her.”

Reference: Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1825; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, no. 1109; Musnad Ahmad, 2/259

What if a girl is married off by force without her consent?​

Hadith 32​

وَعَنْ خَنْسَاءَ بِنْتِ خِدَامِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوْجَهَا وَهِيَ تَيْب فَكَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ ، فَأَتَتْ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَرَدَّ نِكَاحَهُ.
Khansa bint Khidam al-Ansariyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that her father married her off while she was a previously married woman (widow/divorcee), and she disliked that. She then came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he annulled that marriage.

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, no. 5138; Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 2101

Hadith 33​

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ جَارِيَةٌ بِكْرًا أَتَتْ النَّبِيِّ ، فَذَكَرَتْ أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوْجَهَا وَهِيَ كَارِهَةٌ ، فَخَيَّرَهَا النَّبِيُّ
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a virgin girl came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned that her father had married her off while she disliked it, so the Prophet gave her the choice (to keep the marriage or end it).

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Marriage, no. 2096

The khutbah of nikah​

Hadith 34​

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ، قَالَ عَلَّمْنَا رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ خُطْبَةَ الْحَاجَةِ إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ، نَسْتَعِينُهُ، وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا ، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّّهُ 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 الا يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us the khutbah of need: “Indeed, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and His forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our souls and from our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whomever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger. ‘O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims’ (Aal ‘Imran: 102). ‘O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate, and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and (respect) the wombs. Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer’ (An-Nisa: 1). ‘O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will then amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success’ (Al-Ahzab: 70–71).”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Marriage, no. 2118

Words of congratulations for the groom and bride​

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
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would offer congratulations to a person who had married, he would say: “Baarakallahu laka, wa baaraka ‘alayka, wa jama‘a baynakuma fi khayr (May Allah bless you, and bless upon you, and bring you together in goodness).”

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Marriage, no. 2130

Nikah should be announced publicly​

Hadith 36​

وَعَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَعْلِنُوا النِّكَاح.
Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Announce the nikah (marriage).”

Reference: Adab az-Zafaf, p. 183

The relationship of 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.
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said (to her): “Are you not pleased to be my wife in this world and the Hereafter?” She said, “Why not?” He said: “Then you are my wife in this world and the Hereafter.”

Reference: Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, no. 1142

Presenting some food to cheer one’s wife​

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.
Asma bint Umais (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: I was the companion of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who prepared her and brought her to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him (for marriage)), and there were some women with me. She said: By Allah, we did not find any food with him except a cup of milk. He drank from it, then passed it to Aishah. The girl felt shy, so we said, “Do not reject the hand of the Messenger of Allah; take it from him.” So she took it shyly and drank from it. Then he said: “Pass it to your companions.” We said, “We do not feel like it.” He said: “Do not combine hunger and lying.” She said: So I said, “O Messenger of Allah, if one of us says about something that we desire, ‘I do not desire it,’ is this considered lying after that?” He said: “Indeed, lying is written as lying, even to the point that a small lie is written as a small lie.”

Reference: Musnad Ahmad, 6/438; Musnad al-Humaydi, 2/61; Adab az-Zafaf, p. 92

Reward for marital relations​

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: سَاؤُكُمْ حَرْثٌ لَّكُمْ فَأْتُوا حَرْثَكُمْ أَنَّىٰ شِئْتُمْ ۖ
(البقرة : 223)
Allah the Exalted said: “Your wives are a place of sowing for you, so come to your place of cultivation as you wish.” (Al-Baqarah: 223)

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 تَصَدَّقُونَ؟ 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.
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Some of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the Prophet: “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have taken all the rewards: they pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from the excess of their wealth.” He said: “Has not Allah made for you what you can give as charity? Indeed, every tasbihah (saying ‘Subhan Allah’) is charity, every takbirah (saying ‘Allahu Akbar’) is charity, every tahmidah (saying ‘Alhamdulillah’) is charity, every tahlilah (saying ‘La ilaha illallah’) is charity, enjoining good is charity, forbidding evil is charity, and in the sexual act of each one of you there is charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, does one of us come to fulfill his desire and he will have a reward in that?” He said: “Do you not see that if he were to put it in haram (unlawful intercourse), he would have a sin? Likewise, when he puts it in halal (lawful intercourse), he has a reward.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Zakah, no. 2329

The supplication for marital relations​

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 وَجَنَّبٍ الشَّيْطَانَ مَا رَزَقْتَنَا ، فَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَدٌ لَمْ يَضُرهُ.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If one of you, when he goes to his wife (for intercourse), says: ‘Bismillah, Allahumma jannibna ash-shaytan wa jannib ash-shaytan ma razaqtana (In the name of Allah, O Allah, keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from what You provide for us),’ and then it is decreed that they have a child from that union, Satan will never harm him.”

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Wudu', no. 141; Sahih Muslim, no. 1434

وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ
And may the exalted Allah send His blessings upon the best of His creation, Muhammad, and upon his family and all of his Companions.