It was narrated that 'Ata' said: "We attended the funeral of Maimunah, the wife of the Prophet, with Ibn 'Abbas in Sarif. Ibn 'Abbas said: 'This is Maimunah; when you lift up her bier, do not rock it nor shake it. The Messenger of Allah had nine wives and he used to give a share of his time to eight of them and not to one.'"

It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said: "When the Messenger of Allah died he had nine wives; he used to be intimate with all of them except one, who had given her day and night to 'Aishah."

Anas narrated that the Prophet used to go around to his wives in a single night, and at that time he had nine wives.

It was narrated that 'Aishah said: "I used to feel jealous of those (women) who offered themselves (in marriage) to the Prophet and I said: 'Would a free woman offer herself?' Then Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, revealed: 'You can postpone whom you will of them, and you may receive whom you will.' I said: 'By Allah, I see that your Lord is quick to respond to your wishes.'"

It was narrated that Sahl bin Sa'd said: "I was among the people when a woman said: 'I offer myself (in marriage) to you, O Messenger of Allah, see what you think of me.' A man stood up and said: 'Marry me to her.' He said: 'Go and find (something), even if it is an iron ring.' So he went, but he could not find anything, not even an iron ring. So the Messenger of Allah said: 'Do you have (memorized) any surahs of the Qur'an?' He said: 'Yes.' So he married him to her on the basis of what he knew of surahs of the Qur'an."

It was narrated from 'Aishah, the wife of the Prophet, that the Messenger of Allah came to her when Allah commanded him to give his wives the choice. 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah started with me and said: 'I am going to tell you something, but you do not have to rush until you consult your parents.'" She said: "He knew that my parents would not tell me to leave him." Then the Messenger of Allah said: 'O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, then come! I will make a provision for you and set you free in a handsome manner.' "I said: 'Do I need to consult my parents about this? I choose Allah and His Messenger, and the abode of the Hereafter.'"

It was narrated that 'Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "The Messenger of Allah gave his wives the choice (of staying with him) was it divorce?"

It was narrated that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah gave us the choice, and we chose him, so there was no divorce."

It was narrated that 'Ata' said: "Aishah said: 'The Messenger of Allah did not die until women had been made lawful to him.'"

It was narrated that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah did not die until Allah permitted him to marry whatever women he wanted."

It was narrated that 'Alqamah said: "I was with Ibn Mas'ud while he was with 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, and 'Uthman said: 'The Messenger of Allah came out to some fityah (young men)--Abu 'AbdurRahman said, 'I did not understand (the word) fityah as I would want'-- and said: 'Whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot, then fasting will be a restraint (wija') for him.'"

It was narrated from 'Alqamah, that 'Uthman said to Ibn Mas'ud: "Shall I arrange for you to marry a young girl?" 'Abdullah called 'Alqamah and he told the people that the Prophet said: "Whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, then let him fast, for it will be a restraint for him."

It was narrated from 'Alqamah and Al-Aswad that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah said to us: 'Whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, and whoever cannot then he should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija') for him.'" Abu Abdur-Rahman said: (The mention of) Al-Aswad in this hadith is not preserved.

It was narrated that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah said to us: 'O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot then he should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija') for him.'"

It was narrated that 'Abdullah said: "The Messenger of Allah said to us: 'O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married,'" and he quoted the same hadith.

It was narrated that 'Alqamah said: "I was walking with 'Abdullah in Mina and he was met by 'Uthman who stood with him and spoke with him. He said: 'O Abu Abdur-Rahman! Shall I not marry you to a young girl? Perhaps she will remind you of when you were younger?' 'Abdullah said: 'As you say that (it reminds me that) the Messenger of Allah said to us: O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married.'"

It was narrated that Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas said: "The Messenger of Allah forbade 'Uthman to be celibate. If he had given him permission we would have castrated ourselves."

It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah forbade celibacy.

It was narrated from Samurah bin Jundab that the Prophet forbade celibacy. Abu Abdur-Rahman said: Qatadah is more reliable and better preserves narrations than Ash'ath but the hadith of Ash'ath (here) appears to be the correct one. Allah, Most High, knows best.