The Book of Marriage

Narrated Jabir: It was narrated from Jabir that he married a woman at the time of the Messenger of Allah, and the Prophet met him and said: "Have you got married, O Jabir?" He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'A virgin or a previously-married woman?' I said: 'A previously-married woman.' He said: 'Why not a virgin who would play with you?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have sisters, and I did not want her to come between them and I.' He said: 'That's better then. A woman may be married for her religious commitment, her wealth or her beauty. You should choose the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust (may you prosper).'"

Narrated Ma'qil bin Yasar: It was narrated that Ma'qil bin Yasar said: "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'I have found a woman who is from a good family and of good status, but she does not bear children, should I marry her?' He told him not to. Then he came to him a second time and he told him not to (marry her). Then he came to him a third time and he told him not to (marry her), then he said: 'Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will boast of your great numbers.'"

Narrated 'Amr bin Shu'aib: It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that Marthad bin Abi Marthad Al-Ghanawi --a strong man who used to take the prisoners from Makkah to Al-Madinah-- said: "I arranged with a man to bring him (from Makkah to Al-Madinah). There was a prostitute in Makkah who was called 'Anaq, and she was his friend. She came out and saw my shadow on the wall, and said: 'Who is this? Marthad? Welcome, O Marthad, come tonight and stay at our place.' I said: 'O 'Anaq, the Messenger of Allah has forbidden adultery.' She said: 'O people of the tents, this porcupine is the one who is taking your prisoners from Makkah to Al-Madinah!' I headed toward (the mountain of) Al-Khandamah, and eight men came after me. They came and stood over my head, and they urinated, and their urine reached me, but Allah caused them not to see me. Then I went to my companion (the prisoner) and brought him to Al-Arak, where I undid his fetters. Then I came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, shall I marry 'Anaq?' He remained silent and did not answer me, then the following was revealed: 'And the adulteress-fornicator, none marries her except an adulterer-fornicator or an idolater.' He called me and recited them to me and said: 'Do not marry her.'"

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said: "I have a wife who is one of the most beloved of the people to me, but she does not object if anyone touches her." He said: "Divorce her." He said: "I cannot do without her." He said: "Then stay with her as much as you need to."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "Women are married for four things: their wealth, their nobility, their beauty and their religious commitment. Choose the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "It was said to the Messenger of Allah: 'Which woman is best?' He said: 'The one who makes him happy when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands her, and she does not go against his wishes with regard to herself nor her wealth.'"

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As: It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As that the Messenger of Allah said: "This world is all temporary conveniences, and the best temporary convenience of this world is a righteous woman."

Narrated Anas: It was narrated from Anas that they said: "O Messenger of Allah, why don't you marry a woman from the Ansar?" He said: "They are very jealous."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "A man proposed to a woman from among the Ansar and the Messenger of Allah said to him: 'Have you seen her?' He said: 'No.' So he told him to look at her."

Narrated Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah: It was narrated that Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah said: "I proposed marriage to a woman during the time of the Messenger of Allah, and the Prophet said: 'Have you seen her?' I said: 'No.' He said: 'Look at her, for that is more likely to create love between you.'"

Narrated 'Urwah: It was narrated from 'Urwah, that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah married me in Shawwal and my marriage was consummated in Shawwal." --'Aishah liked for her women's marriages to be consummated in Shawwal --"and which of his wives was more beloved to him than me?"

Narrated 'Amir bin Shurahbil Ash-Sha'bi: 'Amir bin Shurahbil Ash-Sha'bi narrated that he heard Fatimah bint Qais--who was one of the first Muhajir women-- say: 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf proposed marriage to me, along with others of the Companions of Muhammad. And the Messenger of Allah proposed that I marry his freed slave, Usamah bin Zaid. I was told that the Messenger of Allah had said: 'Whoever loves me, let him love Usamah.' When the Messenger of Allah spoke to me I said: 'My affairs are in your hands; marry me to whomever you wish.' He said: 'Go to Umm Sharik.' Umm Sharik was a rich Ansari woman who used to spend a great deal in the cause of Allah, and she always had a lot of guests. I said: 'I will do that.' He said: 'Do not do that, for Umm Sharik has a lot of guests, and I would not like your Khimar to fall off, or your shins to become uncovered, and the people to see something of you that you do not want them to see. Rather go to your cousin (son of your paternal uncle) 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Umm Maktum, who is a man of Banu Fihr.' So I went to him."

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet said: "None of you should propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Do not artificially inflate prices, a resident should not sell for a Bedouin, a man should not offer more for something that has already been bought by his brother, no one should propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her, and no woman should try to bring about the divorce of her sister, in order to deprive her of the blessings that she has.'"

Narrated Abu Hurairah: It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "None of you should propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said: "None of you should propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her, unless he marries (and he gives up the idea), or gives him permission."

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "None of you should propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her."

'Abdullah bin 'Amr used to say: "The Messenger of Allah forbade offering more for something that has already been bought by his brother, or for a man to propose marriage to a woman when someone else has already proposed to her, unless the previous suitor gave up the idea or gave him permission."

It was narrated from Muhammad bin 'Abdur-Rahman bin Thawban that they asked Fatimah bint Qais about her story and she said: "My husband divorced me three times, and he used to provide me with food that was not good." She said: "By Allah, if I were entitled to maintenance and accommodation I would demand them and I would not accept this." The deputy said: "You are not entitled to accommodation or maintenance." She said: "I came to the Prophet and told him about that, and he said: 'You are not entitled to accommodation nor maintenance; observe your 'Iddah in the house of so-and-so.' She said: 'His Companions used to go to her.' Then he said: 'Observe your 'Iddah in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum, who is blind, and when your 'Iddah is over, let me know.'" She said: "When my 'Iddah was over, I let him know. The Messenger of Allah said: 'Who has proposed marriage to you?' I said: 'Mu'awiyah and another man from the Quraish.' He said: 'As for Mu'awiyah, he is a boy among the Quraish and does not have anything, and as for the other he is a bad man with no goodness in him. Rather you should marry Usamah bin Zaid.'" She said: "I did not like the idea." But he said that to her three times so she married him.

It was narrated from Fatimah bint Qais that Abu 'Amr bin Hafs issued a final divorce to her while he was absent. His deputy sent some barley to her but she did not like it. He said: "By Allah, you have no rights over us." She went to the Messenger of Allah and told him about that, and he said: "You have no right to maintenance." He told her to observe her 'Iddah in the house of Umm Sharik, then he said: "She is a woman whose house is frequented by my Companions. Observe your 'Iddah in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum, for he is a blind man and you can take off your garment. And when your 'Iddah is over, let me know." She said: "When my 'Iddah was over I told him that Mu'awiyah bin Abi Sufyan and Abu Jahm had proposed marriage to me. The Messenger of Allah said: 'As for Abu Jahm, his stick never leaves his shoulder, and as for Mu'awiyah he is a poor man who has no wealth. Rather you should marry Usamah bin Zaid.' I did not like the idea, then he said: 'Marry Usamah bin Zaid.' So I married him and Allah created a lot of good in him, and others felt jealous of my good fortune."

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "A man of the Ansar came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'I have married a woman.' He said: 'Did you look at her? For there is something in the eyes of the Ansar.'"

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that a man wanted to marry a woman and the Prophet said: "Look at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar."

It was narrated that 'Umar said: "Hafsah bint 'Umar became single when (her husband) Khunais -meaning bin Hudhafah- (died). He was one of the Companions of the Prophet who had been present at Badr, and he died in Al-Madinah. I met 'Uthman bin 'Affan and offered Hafsah in marriage to him. I said: 'If you wish, I will marry you to Hafsah.' He said: 'I will think about it.' A few days passed, then I met him and he said: 'I do not want to get married at the moment.'" 'Umar said: "Then I met Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, and said: 'If you wish, I will marry Hafsah to you.' He did not give me any answer, and I felt more upset with him than I had with 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him. Several days passed, then the Messenger of Allah proposed marriage to her, and I married her to him. Abu Bakr met me and said: 'Perhaps you felt upset with me when you offered Hafsah in marriage to me and I did not give you an answer?' I said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Nothing prevented me from giving you an answer when you made the offer to me except the fact that I had heard the Messenger of Allah speak of her, and I did not want to disclose the secret of the Messenger of Allah; if he had left her, then I would have married her.'"

Thabit Al-Bunani said: "I was with Anas bin Malik and a daughter of his was with him. He said: 'A woman came to the Messenger of Allah and offered herself in marriage to him. She said: O Messenger of Allah, do you want to marry me?'"

It was narrated from Anas that a woman offered herself in marriage to the Prophet. The daughter of Anas laughed and said: "How little was her modesty." Anas said: "She was better than you; she offered herself in marriage to the Prophet."

It was narrated that Anas said: "When the 'Iddah of Zainab was over, the Messenger of Allah said to Zaid: 'Propose marriage to her on my behalf.' Zaid went and said: 'O Zainab, rejoice, for the Messenger of Allah has sent me to you to propose marriage on his behalf.' She said: 'I will not do anything until I consult my Lord.' She went to her prayer place and Qur'an was revealed, then the Messenger of Allah came and entered upon her without any formalities."

Anas bin Malik said: Zainab bint Jahsh used to boast to the other wives of the Prophet and say: "Allah married me to him from above the Heavens." And the Verse of Hijab was revealed concerning her.

It was narrated that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah used to teach his Companions to perform Istikharah in all matters, just as he used to teach them Surahs from the Qur'an. He said: 'If any one of you is deliberating about a decision he has to make, then let him pray two Rak'ahs of non-obligatory prayer, then say: Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi 'ilmika wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika wa as'aluka min fadlika, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta'lamu wa la a'lam, wa anta 'allam al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta'lamu anna hadhal-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa aqibati amri faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li thumma barik li fihi. Allahumma, wa in kunta ta'lamu annahu sharrun li fi dini wa ma'ashi wa 'aqibati amri fasrifhu 'anni wasrifni 'anhu waqdur li al-khayr haythu kana, thumma radini bihi. (O Allah, I seek Your guidance (in making a choice) by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power, I have none. And You know, I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge, this matter (then it should be mentioned by name) is good for me in my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: both in this world and in the Hereafter), then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge it is bad for me and for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs (or: for me both in this world and the next), then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be and make me pleased with it.)"

It was narrated from Umm Salamah, that when her 'Iddah had ended, Abu Bakr sent word to her proposing marriage to her, but she did not marry him. Then the Messenger of Allah sent 'Umar bin Al-Khattab with a proposal of marriage. She said: "Tell the Messenger of Allah that I am a jealous woman and that I have sons, and none of my guardians are present." He went to the Messenger of Allah and told him that. He said: "Go back to her and tell her: As for your saying that you are a jealous woman, I will pray to Allah for you to take away your jealousy. As for your saying that you have sons, your sons will be taken care of. And as for your saying that none of your guardians are present, none of your guardians, present or absent, would object to that." She said to her son: "O 'Umar, get up and perform the marriage to the Messenger of Allah," so he performed the marriage.

It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah married her when she was six years old, and consummated the marriage with her when she was nine.