It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "Women are married for four things: their wealth, their nobility, their beauty and their religious commitment. Choose the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust."
The Book of Marriage - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3230
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: "Women are married for four things: their wealth, their nobility, their beauty and their religious commitment. Choose the one who is religiously committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust."
Commentary on the Four Motivations
The Prophet ﷺ enumerates four worldly considerations that typically drive men to seek marriage: wealth (material security), lineage (social status), physical beauty (worldly attraction), and religious commitment (spiritual excellence).
These represent the natural inclinations of human beings, acknowledging that people are drawn to different qualities in potential spouses according to their worldly dispositions and desires.
The Superior Choice
The explicit command "Choose the one who is religiously committed" demonstrates that while other qualities may be permissible considerations, religious commitment (deen) takes absolute precedence in Islamic teachings.
A woman of strong faith ensures the spiritual foundation of the household, proper upbringing of children, and fulfillment of mutual rights in marriage according to divine guidance.
The Concluding Supplication
The phrase "may your hands be rubbed with dust" is an Arabic expression conveying earnest encouragement and blessing. It emphasizes the importance of this choice and serves as a prayer for success and prosperity for those who prioritize religious commitment in their selection.
This concluding blessing reinforces the prophetic guidance, making the instruction both a command and a supplication for the believer's wellbeing in this life and the hereafter.