17/15. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 715d — Religion First in Marriage Choice
It is recommended to marry one who is religiously committed
Hadith About Religion First in Marriage Choice
Sahih Muslim : 715d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 715d
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي جَابِرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ تَزَوَّجْتُ امْرَأَةً فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَقِيتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " يَا جَابِرُ تَزَوَّجْتَ " . قُلْتُ نَعَمْ . قَالَ " بِكْرٌ أَمْ ثَيِّبٌ " . قُلْتُ ثَيِّبٌ . قَالَ " فَهَلاَّ بِكْرًا تُلاَعِبُهَا " . قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي أَخَوَاتٍ فَخَشِيتُ أَنْ تَدْخُلَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُنَّ . قَالَ " فَذَاكَ إِذًا . إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تُنْكَحُ عَلَى دِينِهَا وَمَالِهَا وَجَمَالِهَا فَعَلَيْكَ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
I married a woman during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (may peace be. upon him). I met the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), whereupon he said: Jabir, have you married? I said: Yes. He said: A virgin or one previously married? I said: With due previously married, whereupon he said: Why did you not marry a virgin with whom you could sport?I said: Allah's Messenger, I have sisters; I was afraid that she might intervene between me and them, whereupon he said: Well and good, if it is so. A woman is married for four reasons, for her religion, her property, her status, her beauty, so you should choose one with religion. May your hands cleave to dust.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 715dIn-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 69USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 8, Hadith 3458
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 715d
This hadith about religion first in marriage choice brings two points together. Jabir said he married a previously married woman. The Prophet asked whether she was a virgin or previously married, and Jabir explained that he had sisters and feared that a younger bride might come between him and them. The Prophet accepted the reason by saying, “Well and good, if it is so.” Then he stated that a woman is married for her religion, property, status, and beauty, and told Jabir to choose one with religion. This report is not only about a list of marriage qualities. It also shows that family needs may shape a marriage decision, while religion remains the advised priority.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet asked Jabir about his marriage in a personal and direct way.
- Jabir gave a family-based reason for marrying a previously married woman.
- The Prophet accepted Jabir’s reason as suitable in that case.
- The hadith again places religion as the advised priority in marriage.
