64/18. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4052 — Jabir’s Marriage and Family Responsibility
“…but Allah was their Wali.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 4052: Jabir Marriage Hadith and Caring for Sisters
Sahih Bukhari : 4052
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4052
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرٌو، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " هَلْ نَكَحْتَ يَا جَابِرُ ". قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ " مَاذَا أَبِكْرًا أَمْ ثَيِّبًا ". قُلْتُ لاَ بَلْ ثَيِّبًا. قَالَ " فَهَلاَّ جَارِيَةً تُلاَعِبُكَ ". قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ أَبِي قُتِلَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ وَتَرَكَ تِسْعَ بَنَاتٍ كُنَّ لِي تِسْعَ أَخَوَاتٍ، فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَجْمَعَ إِلَيْهِنَّ جَارِيَةً خَرْقَاءَ مِثْلَهُنَّ، وَلَكِنِ امْرَأَةً تَمْشُطُهُنَّ وَتَقُومُ عَلَيْهِنَّ. قَالَ " أَصَبْتَ ".
Jabir Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, "Have you got married O Jabir?" I replied, "Yes." He asked "What, a virgin or a matron?" I replied, "Not a virgin but a matron." He said, "Why did you not marry a young girl who would have fondled with you?" I replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! My father was martyred on the day of Uhud and left nine (orphan) daughters who are my nine sisters; so I disliked to have another young girl of their age, but (I sought) an (elderly) woman who could comb their hair and look after them." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You have done the right thing."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4052In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 98USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 382
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4052
This Jabir marriage hadith shows family responsibility in a clear and human way. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked Jabir whether he had married, and whether his wife was a virgin or a matron. Jabir explained that his father had been martyred at Uhud and had left nine daughters, his sisters. He did not want to bring a young girl like them into the household. Instead, he chose an older woman who could comb their hair and look after them. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him, “You have done the right thing.” The main lesson is not only about marriage choice. It is about knowing one’s family needs, thinking beyond personal preference, and making a choice that serves vulnerable family members.
What we learn from this hadith
- Jabir explained his reason openly to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
- He considered the needs of his nine sisters after their father’s death.
- His marriage choice was tied to care and responsibility.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) approved his thoughtful decision.
