❀ Fundamental Qualities for Choosing a Righteous Husband ❀
This fatwa is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the fatāwā of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
What are the key qualities on the basis of which a girl should select a man for marriage? Furthermore, if a woman avoids marrying a pious man for worldly motives, does that make her deserving of Allāh’s punishment?
The primary attributes upon which a woman should base her decision in choosing a husband are:
Good character
Religious commitment
As for wealth and lineage, they hold a secondary status. The most crucial factor is that the prospective husband be pious and possess noble character, because a religious and well-mannered man is unlikely to cause harm or loss to his wife.
✦ If he keeps her, he will do so with goodness.
✦ And if he separates from her, it will be with kindness and fairness.
Moreover, a righteous man is a source of blessing for his wife and children, as they will learn morality and piety from him.
In contrast, a man lacking in these qualities should be avoided—especially those who are negligent in performing ṣalāh or are habitual smokers.
Those who completely abandon prayer are considered disbelievers and are not lawful spouses for believing women, nor are believing women lawful for them. Hence, the most essential criterion in selecting a husband should be piety and good conduct.
If a husband also possesses noble lineage, then that is a further virtue, as the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
«إذا أتاكم من ترضون دينه وخلقه فأنكحوه»
“If someone comes to you (seeking marriage) whose religion and character you are pleased with, then marry him (to your daughter or sister).”
[Ḥasan – Sunan al-Tirmidhī, ḥadīth no. 1084]
And if he is also of equal or matching social standing, then that is even better and more virtuous.
(Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله)
This fatwa is excerpted from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” based on the fatāwā of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
What are the key qualities on the basis of which a girl should select a man for marriage? Furthermore, if a woman avoids marrying a pious man for worldly motives, does that make her deserving of Allāh’s punishment?
❖ Answer:
The primary attributes upon which a woman should base her decision in choosing a husband are:
Good character Religious commitmentAs for wealth and lineage, they hold a secondary status. The most crucial factor is that the prospective husband be pious and possess noble character, because a religious and well-mannered man is unlikely to cause harm or loss to his wife.
✦ If he keeps her, he will do so with goodness.
✦ And if he separates from her, it will be with kindness and fairness.
Moreover, a righteous man is a source of blessing for his wife and children, as they will learn morality and piety from him.
In contrast, a man lacking in these qualities should be avoided—especially those who are negligent in performing ṣalāh or are habitual smokers.
Those who completely abandon prayer are considered disbelievers and are not lawful spouses for believing women, nor are believing women lawful for them. Hence, the most essential criterion in selecting a husband should be piety and good conduct.If a husband also possesses noble lineage, then that is a further virtue, as the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
«إذا أتاكم من ترضون دينه وخلقه فأنكحوه»
“If someone comes to you (seeking marriage) whose religion and character you are pleased with, then marry him (to your daughter or sister).”
[Ḥasan – Sunan al-Tirmidhī, ḥadīth no. 1084]
And if he is also of equal or matching social standing, then that is even better and more virtuous.
(Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله)
