Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman may be married for four reasons, for her property, her rank, her beauty and her religion; so get the one who is religious and prosper.”* (Bukhari and Muslim.)* Taribat yadaka literally, "may your hands cleave to the dust". It is explained as being used to encourage one to action, and so it has been translated above by "prosper.”
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides profound guidance regarding the criteria for selecting a spouse. The Messenger of Allah enumerates four common motivations that drive men to marry women: wealth, social status, physical beauty, and religious commitment.
Analysis of the Four Qualities
Property: Marriage for wealth is discouraged as it places material considerations above spiritual ones, potentially leading to discord when financial circumstances change.
Rank: Seeking marriage for social status contradicts Islamic principles of piety and may foster arrogance, which is displeasing to Allah.
Beauty: While physical attraction is permissible in moderation, making it the primary criterion risks neglecting the essential foundation of faith.
Religion: This is the sole quality the Prophet emphatically recommends, as a religious woman will establish a household upon taqwa (God-consciousness), raise pious children, and help her husband fulfill his religious obligations.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars explain that the expression "taribat yadaka" (translated as "prosper") is an Arabic idiom encouraging decisive action. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments in Fath al-Bari that this hadith doesn't prohibit considering other qualities, but establishes religious devotion as the fundamental priority. A woman of faith will be righteous in her conduct, faithful to her husband, and mindful of her duties to Allah.
Practical Application
This teaching applies equally to women selecting husbands. The foundation of a successful Islamic marriage is mutual piety, which ensures compatibility in worldview, child-rearing, and life priorities. While other qualities may be considered, they should never supersede religious commitment, as this is what preserves the marriage through life's trials and earns Allah's pleasure.