Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 2047

"for her property, her ranks, her beauty and her religiosity. So get the one who is religious and prosper (lit. may your hands cleave to the dust)."

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides essential guidance for selecting a spouse. The Messenger of Allah enumerates four qualities for which women are typically sought in marriage: wealth, social status, physical beauty, and religious commitment.

The wisdom behind mentioning these four attributes lies in their common appeal to human nature. People naturally gravitate toward wealth for financial security, high lineage for social standing, beauty for physical attraction, and religion for spiritual compatibility.

The profound instruction "So get the one who is religious" indicates the paramount importance of prioritizing religious commitment above all other considerations. A religious spouse safeguards one's faith, establishes a household upon Islamic principles, and raises righteous children.

The concluding phrase "may your hands cleave to the dust" is an Arabic expression denoting success and prosperity. It signifies that choosing a religious spouse brings divine blessings and lasting benefit in both worldly and spiritual matters.

Scholars explain that while other qualities may be considered, religious commitment must remain the primary criterion, as it ensures the foundation of the marriage is pleasing to Allah and built upon righteous principles.