Mishkat al-Masabih

Chapter 2: Section 2

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are three whom it is right for God to help

the slave whose master has agreed to let him buy his freedom when he wishes to pay the sum, the one who marries desiring to live a chaste life, and the one who fights in God’s path." Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so there will be temptation in the earth and extensive corruption." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ma'qil b. Yasar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Marry women who are loving and very prolific, for I shall outnumber the peoples by you." Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Salim b. ‘Utba b.'Uwaim b. Sa'ida al-Ansari, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Marry virgins, for they have the sweetest mouths, the most prolific wombs, and are most satisfied with little.” Ibn Majah transmitted in mursal form.

Chapter 3: Section 3

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You have seen nothing like marriage for increasing the love of two people.”Ibn Majah transmitted.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Those who wish to be pure and purified when they meet God should marry free women.”Ibn Majah transmitted.

Abu Umama told that the Prophet used to say, “After fear of God a believer gains nothing better for him than a good wife who obeys him if he gives her a command, pleases him if he looks at her, is true to him if he adjures her to do something, and is sincere towards him regarding her person and his property if he is absent.” Ibn Majah transmitted.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a man marries he has fulfilled half of the religion; so let him fear God regarding the remaining half.”Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman.

‘A’isha reported the Prophet as saying, “The marriage which produces most blessing is that which involves least burden.” Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman.

Chapter 4: Looking at a Woman who is asked in Marriage, and an Explanation of what may not be seen - Section 1

Abu Huraira said that a man came to the Prophet and told him he had contracted to marry a woman of the Ansar, to which he replied, “Then look at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar.”* * Meaning that some of them have features which cause aversion.Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman must not come in close contact with another and then describe her to her husband, for that is as if he were looking at her.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A man must not look at a man’s private parts or a woman at a woman’s, and a man must not come close to a man in one garment or a woman to a woman in one garment.” Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God's Messenger as saying, “A man must not spend the night in the house of a woman who has been married unless he is her husband or a close relative.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Avoid going in where women are.” A man said, “Messenger of God, tell me about the relatives of a woman’s husband,” to which he replied, “The relatives of a woman’s husband are death.”* *The word "death” is used to indicate a strong prohibition, the idea being that they are a cause of temptation to a man’s wife.(Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir said that Umm Salama asked permission of God’s Messenger to be cupped and he ordered Abu Taiba to cup her. He said he thought he was her foster-brother, or a lad who had not reached the age of puberty. Muslim transmitted it.

Jarir b. ‘Abdallah said

I asked God’s Messenger about an accidental glance and he ordered me to turn my eyes away. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman advances in the form of a devil and retires in the form of a devil. When one of you is charmed by a woman and she affects his heart he should go to his wife and have intercourse with her, for that will repel what he is feeling.” Muslim transmitted it.

Chapter 5: Looking at a Woman who is asked in Marriage, and an Explanation of what may not be seen - Section 2

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you asks a woman in marriage, if he is able to look at what will induce him to marry her, he should do so.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Al-Mughira b. Shu'ba said

I asked a woman in marriage and God’s Messenger asked me whether I had looked at her. When I replied that I had not, he said, “Then look at her, for it is better that there should be love between you.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud said that God’s Messenger saw a woman who charmed him, so he went to Sauda who was making perfume in the company of some women. They left him, and after he had satisfied his desire he said, “If any man sees a woman who charms him he should go to his wife, for she has the same kind of thing as the other woman.” Darimi transmitted it.