Marriage

'Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Young man, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it keeps you from looking at strange women and preserves you from immorality; but those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire.”* (Bukhari and Muslim.) * Waja' has been translated freely above. It means castration.

Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas said:: God’s Messenger objected to ‘Uthman b. Maz’un living in celibacy. If he had given him permission we would have had ourselves castrated. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

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.”

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The whole world is to be enjoyed, but the best thing in the world is a good woman.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The best of the women who ride on camels are the good women of Quraish, for they are the most affectionate to small children and the most careful of what belongs to their husbands.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Usama b. Zaid reported God's Messenger as saying, “I have not left behind me a trial more injurious to men than women.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The world is sweet and verdant, and God having put you in it in your turn watches how you act; so fear the world and fear women, for the first trial of the B. Isra’il had to do with women." Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Ill luck arises concerning a woman, a house and a horse." A version has, “Ill luck arises concerning three things:: a woman, a dwelling and a beast." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir said:: When we were near Medina on our return from an expedition in which we had accompanied the Prophet I told him that I had recently married. He asked, “Have you married?" and when I told him that I had, he asked whether I had married a virgin or a woman who had previously been married. On my telling him that it was one who had previously been married he said, “Why did you not marry a virgin with whom you could sport and who could sport with you?" Then when we arrived and were about to enter he said, “Wait so that we may enter by night, i.e. in the evening, in order that the woman with dishevelled hair may comb it and the woman whose husband has been away may get herself ready .’’* (Bukhari and Muslim.) * Tastahidd literally means to shave the hair on the private parts, and is explained as being used here in the sense or preparing herself for her husband’s enjoyment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

He reported the Prophet as saying, “A woman should be concealed, for when she goes out the devil looks at her.”* * The basic idea is to lift up the eyes to look at something. Here it is explained as meaning either that the devil makes her attractive to men, or that he looks at her to seduce her and to seduce people by her. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Buraida reported God's Messenger as saying to ‘Ali, “Do not give a second look, ‘Ali, for while you are not to blame for the first you have no right to the second.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported the Prophet as saying, “When one of you marries his slave to his slave girl he must not look at her private parts.” A version has, “he must not look at what is below the navel and above the knee.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jarhad reported the Prophet as saying, "Do you not know that the thigh is a private part?” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali told that God’s Messenger said to him, "Do not uncover your thigh, ‘Ali, and do not look at the thigh of anyone alive or dead.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Muhammad b. Jahsh told that God’s Messenger came upon Ma'mar when his thighs were uncovered and said, "Cover your thighs, Ma'mar, for the thighs are private parts.” It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Avoid being naked, for with you are those who never leave you (the recording angels) except when you are relieving yourselves and when a man has intercourse with his wife; so observe modesty before them and honour them.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama said:: I was with God’s Messenger along with Maimuna when Ibn Umm Maktum approached and came in to visit him, so he told us to veil ourselves. I said, "Messenger of God, is he not blind and unable to see us?” He replied, "Are you blind and unable to see him?” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Bahz b. Hakim, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Cover your private parts, except from your wife or your female slave,” and said he asked him to tell him what a man might do when alone. He replied, "God has most right to modesty from you.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, "Whenever a man is alone with a woman the devil makes a third.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jabir reported the Prophet as saying, "Do not visit women whose husbands are away from home, for the devil circulate in you like your blood.” He was asked if this applied to him also and said, "To me also, but God has helped me against him so that I may be safe.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas said that when the Prophet brought Fatima a slave whom he presented to her she was wearing a garment which did not reach her feet when she put it over her head, and did not reach her head when she covered her feet with it. Noticing her predicament, God’s Messenger said, “There is nothing to worry about. It is only your father and your slave.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Umm Salama told that once when the Prophet was with her there was in the house a hermaphrodite who said to Abdallah b. Abu Umayya, Umm Salama's brother, “If God conquers at-Ta'if for you tomorrow, I shall lead you to the daughter of Ghailan who has four folds of fat in front and eight behind.” Thereupon the Prophet said, “Do not let these people visit you.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Al-Miswar b. Makhrama said:: While I was walking along carrying a heavy stone my garment fell off and I was unable to get it. God’s Messenger saw me and said to me, “Put on your garment and do not go naked.”* * "Put on” is singular and “do not go” is plural, indicating that the first part of the sentence is addressed to al-Miswar and that the second is a general injunction. Muslim transmitted it.

‘A'isha said, “I never looked at (or, I never saw) God’s Messenger’s private parts.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported the Prophet as saying, “If any Muslim happens to look at a woman’s beauties and then lowers his eyes, God will produce for him an act of worship whose sweetness he will experience.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Al-Hasan told in mursal form that he heard God’s Messenger had said, “God curse the one who looks and the one who is looked at!” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman without a husband* must not be married till she is consulted, and a virgin must not be married till her permission is asked.” When asked how her permission was indicated he replied that it was by her saying nothing. * Ayyim. This means a woman who has no husband. It may mean a woman who has not been married, whether a virgin or not, or a woman previously married who has no husband. See n. 2. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “A woman without a husband has more right to her person than her guardian, and a virgin’s permission must be asked about herself, her permission being her silence.” In a version he said, “A woman who has been previously married* has more right to her person than her guardian, and a virgin must be consulted, her permission consisting in her saying nothing.” In another version he said, “A woman who has been previously married has more right to her person than her guardian” and a virgin’s father must ask her permission about herself, her permission being her silence.” * Thayyib. This means a woman previously married who has no husband. In view of the context it is argued that ayyim is used above in this sense. Muslim transmitted it.

Khansa’ daughter of Khidham told that when her father married her when she had previously been married and she disapproved of that, she went to God's Messenger and he revoked her marriage. A version by Ibn Majah has “the marriage her father.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘A’isha said that the Prophet married her when she was seven, she was brought to live with him when she was nine bringing her toys with her, and he died when she was eighteen. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa reported the Prophet as saying, “There is no marriage without a guardian.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any woman marries without the consent of her guardian her marriage is void, her marriage is void, her marriage is void. If there is cohabitation she gets her dower for the intercourse her husband has had. If there is a dispute*, the sultan is the guardian of one who has none.” * i.e., among guardians, Mirqat iii. 418 says that if their dispute would keep a woman from being married, they are treated as non-existent. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, ‘Adulteresses are those women who marry themselves without evidence.” The soundest view is that it does not go back farther than Ibn ‘Abbas. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “An orphan girl should be consulted about herself; if she says nothing that indicates her permission, but if she refuses, the authority of the guardian cannot be exercised against her will.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it on the authority of Abu Musa.

Jabir reported the Prophet as saying, “Any slave who marries without his master's permission is a fornicator.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas told that a virgin came to God’s Messenger and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet allowed her to exercise her choice. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “A woman may not give a woman in marriage, nor may she give herself in marriage, for the immoral woman is the one who gives herself in marriage.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id and Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who has a son born to him should give him a good name and a good education and marry him when he reaches puberty. If he does not marry him when he reaches puberty and He commits sin, its guilt rests only upon his father." Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman.

‘Umar b. al-Khattab and Anas b. Malik reported God’s Messenger as saying that it is written in the Torah, “If anyone does not give his daughter in marriage when she reaches twelve and she commits sin, the guilt of that rests on him." Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman.

Ar-Rubayyi‘ daughter of Mu'awwidh b. ‘Afra’ said:: The Prophet came and entered when I had been conducted to my husband, and sat on my bedding as you are sitting beside me. Some little girls of ours began to play the tambourine and eulogise those of my ancestors who were killed at the battle of Badr, and then one of them said: “And among us is a prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow." Thereupon he said, “Stop this and say what you were saying.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that when a bride was conducted to one of the Ansar, God’s Prophet said, “Have you no amusement? The Ansar are delighted by amusement." Bukhari transmitted it.

She said:: “God’s Messenger married me in Shawwal and cohabited with me in Shawwal, so which of the wives of God’s Messenger was more beloved by him than I?" Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The most worthy conditions you fulfil are those by which you make sexual intercourse lawful." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A man must 'not ask a woman in marriage when his brother has done so already, until he marries or gives her up." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A woman must not ask to have her sister* divorced in order to deprive her of what belongs to her, but she must marry, because she will have what has been decreed for her." (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The word ‘sister’ is here used in a general sense. The tradition has been explained as referring to one of a man’s wives trying to get him to divorce another, but it probably refers to a woman whom the man has asked in marriage wanting him to divorce his wife before she marries him.

Ibn ‘Umar said God’s Messenger prohibited shighar, which means that a man gives his daughter in marriage on condition that the other gives his daughter to him in marriage without any dower being paid by either. In a version by Muslim he said, “There is no shighar in Islam." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Ali said that at the battle for Khaibar God’s Messenger forbade the temporary marriage (mut’a) of women, and eating the flesh of domestic asses. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Salama b. al-Akwa said that in the year of Autas* God's Messenger permitted a temporary marriage for three nights, but afterwards he prohibited it. *This was after the battle of Hunain in 8 A.H. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said:: God’s Messenger taught us the tashahhud in the prayer and in case of some need, saying that the tashahhud in the prayer is, “The adorations of the tongue, acts of worship and all good things belong to God. Peace, and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, O Prophet. Peace be upon us and upon God’s upright servants. I testify that there is no god but God, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.” The tashahhud in case of some need is, “Praise be to God from whom we ask help and pardon. We seek refuge in God from the evils within ourselves. He whom God guides if has no one who can lead him astray, and he whom He leads astray has no one to guide him. I testify that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger." And one should recite three verses: “You who believe, fear God as He should be feared, and die only as Muslims;” (Al-Qur’an 3:102). “You who believe . . . fear God by whom you ask your mutual rights, and reverence the wombs. God has been watching over you;” (Al-Qur’an 4:1 which has ‘O Mankind.’). “You who believe, if you fear God and say what is true He will make your deeds sound and forgive you your sins. He who obeys God and His Messenger has attained a mighty success” (Al-Qur’an 33:70). Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it. In Tirmidhi’s Jami' Sufyan ath-Thauri gave a commentary on the three verses. Ibn Majah added “whom we praise” after “praise be to God”, and “from our evil actions” after “from the evils within ourselves.” After “mighty success” Darimi added that one should then express what he needs. In Sharh as-sunna it is transmitted on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud concerning the form of words for some need, whether marriage or something else.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, "Every sermon which does not contain a tashahhud is like a hand cut off.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

He reported God's Messenger as saying, "Every important matter which is not begun by an expression of praise to God is maimed.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God's Messenger as saying, “Make this marriage publicly known, solemnise it in the mosques, and play tambourines in honour of it.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Muhammad b. Hatib al-Jumahi reported the Prophet as saying, “The distinction between what is lawful and what is unlawful is the song and the tambourine at a wedding.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘A’isha said:: I had a girl of the Ansar whom I gave in marriage, and God's Messenger said, "Why do you not sing, ‘A’isha, for this clan of the Ansar like singing?” Ibn Hibban transmitted it in his Sahih.

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: ‘A’isha gave a woman relative of hers among the Ansar in marriage and God’s Messenger came and said, “Have you escorted the girl to her husband?” On being told that they had, he asked whether they had sent someone along with her to sing, and when she replied that they had not, he said, “The Ansar are a people who give a place to love songs. I wish you had sent with her someone to say, ‘We have come to you, we have come to you; so may God preserve us and preserve you’.” Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Samura reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If two guardians have given any woman in marriage she marries the man for whom the first arranged, and if anyone sells anything to two men it goes to the first of them.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud said :: When we were on an expedition along with God’s Messenger and had no women with us we asked whether we should not have ourselves castrated, but he forbade us to do that. Then he granted us licence to contract temporary marriages, and one would marry a woman giving a garment as dower up to a fixed date. Then ‘Abdallah recited, “You who believe, do not make unlawful the good things which God has made lawful for you” (Al-Qur’an 5:87). (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: The temporary marriage applied only in the early days of Islam. A man would come to a settlement where he had no acquaintance and marry a woman for the period it was thought he would stay there, and she would look after his belongings and cook for him. But Ibn ‘Abbas said that when the verse came down, “Except their wives or the captives their right hands possess,” (Al-Qur’an 23:6) intercourse with anyone else became unlawful. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

A‘mir b. Sa'd said :: Going in and finding Qaraza b. Ka‘b and Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari at a wedding where girls were singing I said, “Is this being done in the presence of you two who are companions of God’s Messenger and were present at Badr ?” They replied, “Sit down if you wish and listen along with us, or go away if you wish, for we have been given licence for amusement at a wedding.” Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “A man may not marry a woman and her paternal aunt, or a woman and her maternal aunt.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “What is unlawful by reason of consanguinity is unlawful by reason of fosterage.” Bukhari transmitted it.

She said:: My paternal uncle through fosterage came and asked permission to enter, but I refused to allow him till I asked God’s Messenger. When he came I asked him and he said, “He is your paternal uncle, so give him permission.” I replied, “Messenger of God, it was only the woman who suckled me and not the man” whereupon he said, “He is your paternal uncle, so let him come in where you are.” That was after seclusion was instituted for us. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Ali said, “Messenger of God, would you like the daughter of your paternal uncle Hamza, for she is the most beautiful girl in Quraish?” He replied, “Do you not know that Hamza is my foster-brother, and that God has prohibited by reason of fosterage what He has prohibited by reason of genealogy?” Muslim transmitted it.

Umm al-Fadl stated that God’s Prophet said, “Being suckled once or twice does not make marriage unlawful.” In ‘A’isha’s version he said, “One or two sucks do not make marriage unlawful.” In another by Umm al-Fadl he said, “One suckling or two does not make marriage unlawful.” These are versions by Muslim.

‘A’isha said that in what was sent down in the Qur’an ten known sucklings made marriage unlawful, but they were abrogated by five known ones, and when God’s Messenger died these words were among what was recited in the Qur’an. Muslim transmitted it.

She said that the Prophet visited her when a man was with her and he seemed to disapprove of that. She told him that he was her brother and he replied, “Consider* who your brothers are, for fosterage is that consequent on hunger” (Fosterage applies only to infants and not to children who are able to take solid food). * The verb is in the plural, indicating that this is a general instruction and not simply a reply to A’isha. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Uqba b. al-Harith said he married a daughter of Ihab b. 'Aziz and a woman came and said she had suckled 'Uqba and the woman whom he had married, to which he replied, “I am not aware that you suckled me, and you did not inform me.” So he sent to the family of Abu Ihab and asked them, and when they told him that they did not know whether she had suckled their daughter he rode to the Prophet in Medina and asked him. God’s Messenger said, “How can you hesitate when you have been told?” ‘Uqba therefore separated from her and she married another husband. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said:: At the battle of Hunain God’s Messenger sent an army to Autas, and they met an enemy and fought with them. . Having prevailed over them and taken captives the Prophet’s companions seemed to hold back from having intercourse with them because of their husbands among the polytheists. Then God most high sent down regarding that, “And women already married, except those whom your right hands possess” (Al-Qur’an 4:24). That means that they were lawful for them when their ‘idda* period came to an end. * The period which a widow or divorced woman must observe before remarriage. See Ch. 26. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that God’s Messenger forbade that a woman should be married to one who had married her paternal aunt, or a paternal aunt to one who had married her brother’s daughter, or a woman to one who had married her maternal aunt, or a maternal aunt to one who had married her sister's daughter. A younger sister must not be married to one who has married an elder sister, nor an elder sister to one who has married a younger sister. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Darimi and Nasa’i transmitted it, Nasa’i’s version ending with “her sister’s daughter.”

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib said:: My maternal uncle Abu Burda b. Niyar passed me carrying a standard, and I asked him where he was going. He replied, “The Prophet has sent me to bring him the head of a man who has married his father’s wife.” A version by Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi has, “He has ordered me to cut off his head and take his property.” This version has “my paternal uncle” instead of “my maternal uncle.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The only suckling which makes marriage unlawful is that which is taken from, the breast and enters the bowels, and is taken before the time of weaning.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Hajjaj b. Hajjaj al-Aslami quoted his father as saying, “Messenger of God, what will remove from me the obligation due for fostering a child.”* He replied, “A slave or a slave-girl of good quality.” *It is said that Arabs liked to give a woman who had fostered a child something over and above the hire. This tradition deals with the amount to be considered full compensation for services rendered. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Abut Tufail al-Ghanawi said:: When I was sitting with the Prophet a woman came forward and the Prophet spread out his cloak and she sat on it. Then when she went away someone said that this woman had suckled the Prophet. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar told that Ghailan b. Salama ath-Thaqafi accepted Islam and that he had had ten wives in the pre-Islamic period who accepted Islam along with him; so the Prophet told him to keep four and separate from the rest of them. Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Naufal b. Mu’awiya said:: When I accepted Islam I had five wives, so I consulted the Prophet and he said, “Separate from one and keep four.” I therefore decided on the one who had been longest with me and had been barren for sixty years,* and separated from her. * This statement may seem strange when one considers that Naufal is said to have died in the Caliphate of Yazid b. Mu'awiya (60-64 A.H.). Some say he lived 60 years in the pre-Islamic period and 60 years in Islam. Others says he died aged 100. He is said to have accepted Islam at the Conquest of Mecca. The tradition cannot mean that he had been married to this woman for 60 years; it probably indicates that she was both barren and much older than he. She was possibly his first wife. Cf. Ibn Abu Hatim, al-Jarh wat-ta’dil, IV, i, 487 i.; Isti'ab, p. 293 ; Ibn Hajar, Tahdhib, x, 492; Isaba, iii, 1191. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Ad-Dahhak b. Fairuz ad-Dailamli told on his father’s authority that he had said, "Messenger of God, I have accepted Islam and I am married to two sisters." He replied, “Choose whichever of them you wish.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas told that a woman who had accepted Islam married, and her husband (i.e. the one she had left to marry another when she became a Muslim) went to the Prophet and said, "Messenger of God, I have accepted Islam and she knew that I had done so.” So God’s Messenger took her away from her second husband and restored her to her first. In a version he said, “She accepted Islam along with me,” so he restored her to him. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

In Sharh as-sunna it is related that the Prophet restored a number of women to their husbands by the first marriage when they had both accepted Islam after the change of religion and dwelling. Among them was the daughter of al-Walid b. Mughira, the wife of Safwan b. Umayya. She accepted Islam on the day of the Conquest, but her husband fled from Islam. Then his cousin Wahb b. ‘Umair was sent to him with God’s Messenger’s cloak as a guarantee of security to Safwan, and when he came God’s Messenger granted him a respite of four months before accepting Islam, so she stayed with him. Umm Hakim daughter of al-Harith b. Hisham, the wife of Ikrima b. Abu Jahl, accepted Islam in Mecca on the day of the Conquest, but her husband fled from Islam and went to the Yemen. Umm Hakim journeyed and came to him in the Yemen, and when she invited him to accept Islam he did so, and they remained married. Malik transmitted it in mursal form on the authority of Ibn Shihab.

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: Seven classes of women are prohibited by reason of consanguinity and seven by reason of relationship by marriage. He then recited, "Prohibited to you are your mothers ...” (Al-Qur’an 4:23). Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu’aib, on his father’s authority, said that his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If any man marries a woman and cohabits with her it is not lawful for him to marry her daughter, but if he does not cohabit with her he may marry her daughter; and if any man marries a woman it is not lawful of him to marry her mother whether he has cohabited with her or not.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a tradition which is not sound, with respect to its isnad. It is transmitted only by Ibn Lahi'a and al-Muthanna b. as-Sabbah on the authority of ‘Amr b. Shu’aib, and they are both declared to be weak in tradition.

Jabir declared that the Jews used to say:: “When a man has intercourse with his wife through the vagina, but being on her back, the child will have a squint,” so the verse came down, “Your wives are a tilth to you, so come to your tilth however you will” (Al-Qur’an 2:223). (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that in the period when the Qur'an was coming down they used to withdraw the penis.* * i.e. before emission of semen, to avoid conception. (Bukhari and Muslim.) Muslim added that the Prophet heard of that and did not prohibit it.

He told of a man who went to God's Messenger and said, “I have a slave-girl who is our servant and I have intercourse with her, but do not want her to conceive.” He replied, “Withdraw your penis from her if you wish, for what is decreed for her will come to her.” After a time the man came and told him the girl had become pregnant, and he said, “I told you that what was decreed for her would come to her.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said:: We went out with God’s Messenger on the expedition to the B. al-Mustaliq (an expedition in 6 A.H) and took some Arab women captive, and we desired the women, for we were suffering from the absence of our wives. We liked withdrawing the penis and wanted to do so, but we asked ourselves whether we could do it when God’s Messenger was among us before asking him. So we asked him about that and he replied, “It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the day of resurrection will be born.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that when God’s Messenger was asked about withdrawing the penis he replied, “The child does not come from all the liquid, and when God intends to create anything nothing can prevent Him.” Muslim transmitted it.

Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas told of a man who came to God's Messenger and said that he withdrew his penis from his wife. He asked him why he did that and the man replied that he feared for her child, so God’s Messenger said, “If that were injurious it would injure the Persians and the Greeks.”* * This is explained as referring to a woman who is suckling a child, and the fear that the child, would be injured if she became pregnant. Muslim transmitted it.

Judama daughter of Wahb said:: I was with God’s Messenger along with some people when he was saying, “I intended to prohibit suckling during pregnancy* but I considered the Greeks and the Persians and saw that they suckled their children during pregnancy without any injury being caused to their children thereby.” Then they asked him about withdrawing the penis and God’s Messenger replied, “That is the secret burying alive” and reference is made to it in the words, “When the girl buried alive will be asked (Al-Qur’an 81:8).” *(Ghila. It means either suckling during pregnancy, or intercourse with a woman while she is suckling a child. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God's Messenger as saying, “The most serious breach of trust in God’s sight on the day of resurrection ...” A version has, “Among those who will have the worst position in God’s sight on the day of resurrection is the man who has intercourse with his wife, and she with him, and then spreads her secret.”* * i.e. talks about the subject to others, or tells people about defects or beauties he has found in her. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: God’s Messenger received the revelation, “Your wives are a tilth to you, so come to your tilth . . .” (Al-Qur’an 2:223) that means from in front or behind, but avoid the anus and intercourse during menstruation. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Khuzaima b. Thabit reported the Prophet as saying, “God is not ashamed of the truth. Do not have intercourse with women through the anus.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who has intercourse with his wife through her anus is accursed.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God will not look at him who has intercourse with his wife through her anus.” It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God will not look at a man who has intercourse with a man or a woman through the anus.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Asma’ daughter of Yazid said she heard God’s Messenger say, “Do not kill your children secretly, for the milk with which a child is suckled while his mother is pregnant overtakes the horseman and throws him from his horse.”* * It is here said that a child which is suckled while his mother is pregnant will suffer from it in later life, the tradition speaking specifically of his being thrown from his horse and killed. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Umar b. al-Khattab said God’s Messenger forbade withdrawing the penis from a free woman unless she gives permission. Ibn Majah transmitted it.

'Urwa told on' A’isha’s authority that God’s Messenger said to her concerning Barira, “Take her and set her free.” Now her husband was a slave, so God’s Messenger gave her her choice and she chose to separate from him; but if he had been free he would not have given her her choice. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: Barira’s husband was a negro slave called Mughith whom I can still picture going round behind her in the streets of Medina weeping with the tears flowing on his beard. The Prophet said to al- ‘Abbas, “Are you not astonished, ‘Abbas, at Mughith’s love; of Barira and Barira’s hatred of Mughith?" The Prophet expressed a wish that she would take him back, but when she asked whether he was giving her a command and he replied that he was merely interceding, she said, “I have no need of him.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘A’isha said she wanted to set free two slaves of hers who were married, so she consulted the Prophet and he ordered her to begin with the man before the woman. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

She said that Barira became free when she was with Mughith and God’s Messenger gave her her choice saying, “If he has intercourse with you, you will not be allowed to exercise choice.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Sa'd told of a woman who came to God’s Messenger and offered herself to him. When she had stood for a long time (i.e. without receiving an answer) a man got up and said, “Messenger of God, marry her to me if you have no need of her.” He asked him if he had anything to give her as dower, and when he replied that he had nothing but the lower garment he was wearing, he said, “Look for something, even though it should be an iron ring.” Then when the man had sought and found nothing God’s Messenger asked whether he knew any of the Qur'an, and when he replied that he knew surah so and so and surah so and so, he said, “I have given you her in marriage for the part of the Qur’an which you know.” In a version he said, “Go away, for I have given you her in marriage; and teach her some of the Qur'an." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Salama said he asked ‘A’isha how much the Prophet had given as dower, and she replied that his dower to his wives was twelve uqiyas* and a nashsh. She asked whether he knew what a nashsh was, and when he replied that he did not, she said it was half an uqiya; so the total was five hundred dirhams. * The uqiya was 40 dirhams. Muslim transmitted it. Nashsh is in the nominative in Sharh as-sunna and all the sources.

'Umar b. al-Khattab said:: Do not go to extremes in giving women their dower, for if it represented honour in this world and piety in Gods sight, the one of you most entitled to do so would have been God's Prophet. I am not aware of God’s Messenger marrying any of his wives or giving any of his daughters in marriage for more than twelve uqiyas. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, "If anyone gives as a dower to his wife two handfuls of flour or dates he has made her lawful for him.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Amir b. Rabi'a said that a woman of the B. Fazara was married for a dower of two sandals. When God’s Messenger asked whether she was satisfied with two sandals regarding her person and her property and she replied that she was, he gave his approval. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Alqama quoted Ibn Mas'ud as saying he was asked about a man who had married a woman without fixing any settlement on her or cohabiting with her till he died. Ibn Mas'ud said she should receive the type of dower given to women of her class with so diminution or excess, observe the ‘idda period and have her share of the inheritance. Ma'qil b. Sinan al-Ashja‘i then got up and said, "God’s Messenger gave a decision regarding Birwa’ daughter of Washiq, a woman of our tribe, to the same effect as the decision you have given; and Ibn Mas'ud was pleased about the decision. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Darimi transmitted it.

Umm Habiba said she was married to ‘Abdallah b. Jahsh who died in Abyssinia, so the Negus married her to the Prophet, giving her on his behalf a dower of four thousand. (A version has four thousand dirhams.) He sent her to God’s Messenger with Shurahbil b. Hasana. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Anas said that Abu Talha married Umm Sulaim, the dower between them being acceptance of Islam. Umm Sulaim had become a Muslim before Abu Talha, and when he asked her in marriage she said, "I have become a Muslim, so if you become one I shall marry you.” He then accepted Islam and that was the dower arranged between them. Nasa’i transmitted it.

Anas said the Prophet saw the trace of yellow on ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf and asked what that was. He replied, “I have married a woman for a nawat* weight of gold.” He said, “God bless you! Hold a wedding- feast, even if only with a sheep.” *a weight of five dirhams. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that God's Messenger did not hold such a wedding-feast for any of his wives as he did for Zainab. He held a wedding-feast with a sheep. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that God’s Messenger held a wedding-feast when he took up cohabitation with Zainab daughter of Jahsh and gave the people their fill of bread and meat. Bukhari transmitted it.

He said that God’s Messenger set Safiya free and married her, making her freedom her dower, and he held a wedding-feast for her with hais (A dish made of dates mixed with clarified butter and dried curd, kneaded and rubbed together. Sometimes flour was added.) (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said:: The Prophet stayed three nights between Khaibar and Medina when he took up cohabitation with Safiya, and I called the Muslims to his wedding-feast which included no bread or meat. He just ordered some cloths to be spread, and dates, dried curd and clarified butter were thrown on them. Bukhari transmitted it.

Safiya daughter of Shaiba said the Prophet held a wedding-feast for one of his wives with two muds of barley. Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you is invited to a wedding-feast he must attend it.” In a version by Muslim he said, “He must accept, whether it is a wedding-feast or something of that nature.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you is invited to a meal he must accept. If he wishes he may eat, but if he wishes he may leave the food alone.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The worst kind of food is that at a wedding-feast to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out. If anyone rejects an invitation he has disobeyed God and His Messenger.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari said:: One of the Ansar whose kunya was Abu Shu'aib had a servant who sold meat. He said, “Prepare for me food which will be enough for five; perhaps I shall invite the Prophet along with other four.” He prepared a small meal for him, and then he went and invited him. A man followed them, and the Prophet said, “A man has followed us, Abu Shu'aib, so if you wish you may let him join us, but if you wish you may leave him outside.” He replied, “No, I shall let him join us.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said the Prophet held a wedding-feast for Safiya with meal and dates. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Safina told that 'Ali b. Abu Talib prepared food for a man who was his guest, and Fatima said, "I wish we had invited God’s Messenger and he had eaten with us.” They invited him and when he came he put his hands on the side-posts of the door, but when he saw the figured curtain which had been put at the end of the house he went away. Fatima said she followed him and asked, “What turned you back, Messenger of God?” He replied, “It is not fitting for me or for any prophet to enter a house which is decorated.” Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. 'Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who does not accept an invitation which he receives has disobeyed God and His Messenger, and he who enters without an invitation enters as a thief and goes out as a raider.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

A companion of God’s Messenger reported him as saying, “When two people come together to issue an invitation accept that of the one who lives nearer you, but if one of them comes before the other accept the invitation of the one who comes first.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The food on the first day is a duty, that on the second is a sunna, but that on the third day is to make men hear of it; and if anyone makes men hear of what he does God will make him heard of” (i.e. will publish his hypocrisy on the day of resurrection). Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Ikrima, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, said the Prophet forbade that the food of two people who were rivalling one another should be eaten. Abu Dawud transmitted it. Muhyi as-Sunna said the sound version is that it comes from ‘Ikrima from the Prophet in mursal form.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “The invitations of two people who are rivalling one another should not be accepted, and the food they provide should not be eaten.” The imam Ahmad said it means two people who are competing with one another in providing a feast out of self-glory and ostentation. Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman

‘Imran b. Husain said God’s Messenger forbade accepting invitations to food provided by profligates. Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “When one of you visits his brother Muslim he should eat of his food without asking questions and drink from what he provides without asking questions.” Baihaqi transmitted the three traditions in Shu'ab al-iman, saying that if is sound, it is because a Muslim would obviously give him only food and drink which were lawful in his opinion.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that when God’s Messenger died he left nine wives, eight of whom he used to visit equally. (The next tradition explains this) (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha told that when Sauda became old she said, “Messenger of God, I appoint to ‘A'isha the day you visit me” (Cf. the last tradition in this chapter). So God’s Messenger allotted two days to ‘A’isha, hers and Sauda’s. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She said that during the illness of which God’s Messenger died he was asking, “Where do I go tomorrow? Where do I go tomorrow?” That was on ‘A’isha’s day. His wives therefore permitted him to go where he wished, and he stayed in ‘A’isha’s house till he died there. Bukhari transmitted it.

She said that when God’s Messenger intended to go on a journey he cast lots among his wives and the one who was chosen by lot went on it with him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Qilaba quoted Anas as saying:: It pertains to the sunna that when a man who has a wife marries a virgin he should stay with her for seven nights and then divide the time between them, but if he marries a woman who has been previously married he should stay with her three nights and then divide his time between his wives. Abu (Qilaba remarked that if he wished he could say that Anas traced it to the Prophet. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Bakr b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman told that when God’s Messenger married Umm Salama he said to her in the morning, “You are not being humbled in my estimation. If you wish I shall stay with you seven nights as I did with my other wives, but if you wish I shall stay three and then visit my wives in turn.” She replied, “Stay three nights.” In a version he said, “The virgin gets seven nights and the woman who has had a previous husband three.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that the Prophet used to divide his time among his wives equally and say, “O God, this is my division concerning what I possess, so do not blame me concerning what Thou possessest and I do not.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “When a man has two wives and does not treat them equally he will come on the day of resurrection with a side hanging down.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Ata’ told that when they were with Ibn ‘Abbas at Maimuna’s funeral in Sarif he said, “This is God’s Messenger’s wife, so when you lift her bier do not shake her or disturb her, but be gentle with her, for God’s Messenger had nine wives with eight of whom he shared his time, but to one of them he did not allot a share.” ‘Ata’ said they heard that the one to whom God’s Messenger did not allot a share was Safiya who was the last of them to die. She died in Medina. Razin said that someone other than ‘Ata’ declared she was Sauda, and that is sounder. She gave her day to ‘A’isha when God's Messenger intended to divorce her, saying to him, “Keep me. I have given my day to ‘A’isha. Perhaps I may be one of your wives in paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “Act kindly toward women, for they were created from a rib and the most crooked part of a rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly towards women.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Woman has been created from a rib and will in no way be straight for you; so if you enjoy her you will do so while crookedness remains in her; but if you attempt to straighten her you will break her, breaking her being divorcing her.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A believer must not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Had it not been for the B. Isra’il meat would not have gone bad, and had it not been for Eve a woman would never have acted unfaithfully towards her husband.’’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. Zam'a reported God’s Messenger as saying, “None of you must whip his wife as a slave is whipped and then have intercourse with her at the end of the day.” A version has, “One of you has recourse to whipping his wife as a slave is whipped and perhaps he lies with her at the end of the day.” He then gave them an exhortation about laughing when someone breaks wind, saying, “Why does one of you laugh at what he does himself?” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said:: I was playing with dolls in the Prophet’s house and I had companions who played with me; but when God’s Messenger entered they would withdraw from him. He would then send them to me and they would play with me. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She said:: I swear by God that I have seen the Prophet standing at the door of my room when the Abyssinians were playing with spears in the mosque and God’s Messenger was covering me with his cloak in order that I might look over his shoulder* at their sport. He would then stand for my sake till I was the one who departed; so estimate the time a young girl eager for amusement would wait.” * Literally “between his ear and his shoulder.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She told that God’s Messenger said to her, “I know when you are pleased with me and when you are angry with me.” She asked how he knew that and he replied that when she was pleased with him she said, ‘'No, by Muhammad’s Lord,” but when she was angry with him she said, “No, by Abraham's Lord.” She then said, “I swear by God, Messenger of God, that that is so; it is only your name that I omit.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “When a woman who has been called to come to her husband’s bed refuses and he spends the night angry, the angels curse her till the morning.” In a version by both of them he said, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, if any woman who has been called to come to her husband’s bed refuses, He who is in heaven is displeased with her till her t husband is pleased with her.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Asma’ told of a woman who said, “Messenger of God, I have a fellow-wife; will it be wrong for me to boast of receiving from my husband what he does not give me?” He replied, “The one who boasts of receiving what he has not been given is like him who has put on the two garments of falsehood.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said that God’s Messenger swore he would stay away from his wives for a month. His foot being dislocated, he stayed in an upper room for twenty-nine nights and then came down; and when it was remarked to him that he has sworn to stay away for a month, he replied, “The month has twenty-nine days.”* *This is most probably with reference to the month in question, as it cannot be considered a general statement. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir said:: Abu Bakr came and asked permission to go in to see the Prophet, but found the people seated at his door, none of them having been given permission. Permission was, however, given to Abu Bakr and he entered. ‘Umar then came forward, and when he had asked and had been granted permission he found the Prophet sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He told that he decided to say something which would make the Prophet laugh, so he said, “Messenger of God, I wish you had seen the daughter of Kharija when she asked me for extra money and I got up and slapped her on the neck.” God's Messenger laughed and said, “They are around me as you see asking for extra money.” Abu Bakr then got up, went to ‘A’isha and slapped her on the neck, and ‘Umar did the same to Hafsa, both of them saying, “Are you asking God’s Messenger for what he does not possess?” They all replied, “We swear by God that we never ask God’s Messenger for anything he does not possess.” Thereafter he withdrew from them for a month or twenty-nine days. Then this verse came down, “O prophet, say to your wives ... for those who do well among you a great reward” (Al-Qur’an 33:28 f). He then went first to ‘A’isha and said, “I want to propound something to you, ‘A’isha, but wish no hasty reply before you consult your parents.” When she had asked him what it was and he had recited the verse to her she said, “Shall I consult my parents about you, Messenger of God? Nay, I choose God, His Messenger, and the final abode; but I ask you not to tell any of your wives what I have said.” He replied, “Not one of them will ask me without my informing her. God did not send me to be harsh or cause harm, but sent me to teach and make things easy.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha said:: Being jealous of the women who offered themselves to God's Messenger I asked, “Does a woman offer herself?” Then when God most high sent down, “You may defer any of them you wish and take to yourself any you wish, and if you desire any you have set aside no sin is chargeable to you” (Al-Qur’an 33:51) said, “It seems to me that your Lord hastens to satisfy your desire.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

'A'isha told that when she was with God's Messenger on a journey she raced him on foot and beat him, but when she grew she raced him and he beat her. He said, “This makes up for that beating." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

She reported God's Messenger as saying, “The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family. When one of you dies speak no ill of him." Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it up to “to my family” on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of paradise she wishes.”* * A way of saying nothing will prevent her from entering paradise. Abu Nu'aim transmitted it in al-Hilya.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would order a woman to prostrate herself before her husband." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Any woman who dies when her husband is pleased with her will enter paradise." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Talq b. ‘Ali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Mu'adh reported the Prophet as saying that no woman annoys her husband in this world without his wife among the large-eyed maidens saying, “You must not annoy him. God curse you! He is only a passing guest with you and is about to leave you to come to us.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.

Hakim b. Mu'awiya al-Qushairi quoted his father as telling that he asked:: “Messenger of God, what right can any wife demand of her husband?’’ He replied, “That you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house” (Al-Quran 4:34). Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Laqit b. Sabira told that he said, “Messenger of God, I have a wife who has something in her tongue,” meaning foul speech. He told him to divorce her, but when he replied that he had a son from her and she was a companion, he said, “Give her a command (meaning give her an exhortation), and if there is any good in her she will accept it; but do not beat your wife as you would beat your young slave-girl.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Iyas b. ‘Abdallah reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Do not beat God’s handmaidens;” but when ‘Umar came to God’s Messenger and said, “The women have become emboldened towards their husbands,” he gave licence to beat them. Then many women went round God’s Messenger’s family complaining of their husbands, and he said, “Many women have gone round Muhammad’s family complaining of their husbands. Those are not the “best among you.” Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who makes a wife disaffected towards her husband or a slave towards his master is not one of us.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition, and are kindest to their families." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The believers who show the most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition and the best of you are those who are best to their wives.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan sahih tradition, and Abu Dawud transmitted it up to “disposition.”

'A’isha told that when God’s Messenger arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Hunain the wind raised an end of a curtain which was placed before her storeroom, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked her what this was and she replied that they were her dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags and asked what that was that he saw among them. She told him that it was a horse, and when he asked what it was that it had on it and she replied that it had wings, he said, “A horse with wings!” She replied, “Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings?” She said that he laughed so heartily that she could see his back teeth. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Qais b. Sa'd said:: I went to al-Hira and saw them prostrating themselves before a satrap of theirs, so I said, “God’s Messenger has most right to have prostration made before him.” When I came to God’s Messenger I said, “I went to al-Hira and saw them prostrating themselves before a satrap of theirs, but you have most right to have people prostrating themselves before you.” He replied, “Tell me; if you were to pass my grave, would you prostrate yourself before it?” Then when I said that I would not, he replied, “None of you must do it. If I were to command anyone to make prostration before another I would command women to prostrate themselves before their husbands, because of the special right over them given to the husbands by God.” Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Ahmad transmitted it on the authority of Mu'adh b. Jabal.

‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, “A man will not be asked about why he beat his wife.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id told of a woman who came to God’s Messenger when he was with him and said, “My husband, Safwan b. al-Mu‘attal, beats me when I pray, makes me break my fast when I am observing it, and does not pray the dawn prayer till the sun rises.” Safwan was present, so he asked him about what she had said and he replied, “Messenger of God, as for her statement that I beat her when she prays, she recites two surahs and I have forbidden her to do so.” God’s Messenger said to him, “If it had been one surah it would be enough for people.” He continued:: “As for her statement that I make her break her fast when she is observing it, she keeps on fasting, and I am a young man who cannot contain himself.” God’s Messenger said, “A woman may fast only with her husband’s permission.”* He continued: “As for her statement that I do not pray till the sun rises; I belong to a family which has such a reputation, hardly awakening till the sun rises.” He said, “Then when you awake, Safwan, you must pray.” * This refers to fasting which is not obligatory. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

'A’isha said that once when God’s Messenger was with a number of the Emigrants and Helpers a camel came and prostrated itself before him. Thereupon his companions said, “Messenger of God, beasts and trees prostrate themselves before you, but we have most right to do so.” He replied, “Worship your Lord and honour your brother. If I were to order any one to prostrate himself before another, I would order a woman to prostrate herself before her husband; and if he were to order her to convey stones from a yellow mountain to a black one, or from a black mountain to a white one, it would be incumbent on her to do so.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are three whose prayer is not accepted and whose good deeds are not taken up to heaven:: a runaway slave, till he returns to his patrons and puts his hand in theirs; a woman with whom her husband is displeased; and a drunkard, till he becomes sober.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

Abu Huraira told that when God’s Messenger was asked which woman was best he replied, “The one who pleases when he looks at her, obeys him when he gives a command, and does not go against his wishes regarding her person or property by doing anything of which he disapproves.” Nasa’i and Baihaqi, in Shu'ab al-iman, transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, "There are four characteristics which are of such a nature that one who has been given them has been endowed with what is best in this world and the next:: a thankful heart, a tongue which makes mention of God, a body which shows endurance in trial, and a wife who does not seek to be unfaithful to in her person or his property.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

Ibn ‘Abbas told that the wife of Thabit b. Qais came to the Prophet and said, “Messenger of God, I do not reproach Thabit b. Qais in respect of character or religion, but I do not want to be guilty of infidelity* regarding Islam.” God’s Messenger asked her if she would give him back his garden, and when she replied that she would, he told him to accept the garden and make one declaration of divorce. * Meaning she did not like him and so was afraid she might not show him the respect due to a husband. Kufran, translated ‘infidelity’, can also mean ‘ingratitude’. Bukhari transmitted it.

'Abdallah b. ‘Umar said he divorced a wife of his while she was menstruating and that when ‘Umar mentioned the matter to God’s Messenger he became angry and said, “He must take her back and keep her till she is purified, then has another period and is purified. If it then seems good to him to divorce her he may do so when she is pure from the menstrual discharge before having intercourse with her, for that is the period of waiting which God has commanded for the divorce of women.” A version has, “Command him to take her back, then divorce her when she is pure from the menstrual discharge, or pregnant.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that God’s Messenger gave them their choice and they chose God and His Messenger; so that was not reckoned as counting in any way to their divorce. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: One makes atonement for something he has made unlawful for himself.* You have had a good example in God’s Messenger. * i.e. something not in itself unlawful. It is treated like an oath for breaking which atonement must be made. The Prophet’s example refers to his withdrawing from his wives for a period. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

'A'isha said:: The Prophet used to spend time with Zainab daughter of Jahsh and that he once drank honey at her house, so Hafsa and she agreed that the one whom the Prophet visited first should say, “I notice that you have an odour of the gum of the mimosa.* Have you eaten some?” When he visited one of them and she said that to him he replied, “Don’t worry; I drank some honey at the house of Zainab daughter of Jahsh, but I swear that I shall not do it again. Do not tell anyone of that.” desiring to please his wives, and then there came down, “O prophet, why do you hold to be forbidden what God has made lawful for you, desiring to please your wives? (Al-Qur’an 66:1). *Maghafir; plural of Mughfur, is here used. It is the gum of a kind of mimosa called ‘urfut, the odour of which is unpleasant. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Thauban reported God's Messenger as saying, “If any woman asks her husband for divorce without some strong reason the odour of paradise will be forbidden to her.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Prophet as saying, “The lawful thing which God hates most is divorce.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali reported the Prophet as saying, “There is no divorce before marriage, no manumission till one has possession, no continuous fasting, no orphan hood after the age of puberty, no suckling after weaning, and no silence all day up to the night”.* * Observing a complete day's silence as a religious practice is rejected. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, said his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No descendant of Adam may make a vow about what he does not possess, or set free what he does not possess, or divorce what he does not possess.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Abu Dawud added, “or sell what he does not possess.”

Rukana b. 'Abd Yazid said he divorced his wife Suhaima absolutely and when the Prophet was informed of that he said, “I swear by God that I meant it to be only a single utterance of divorce.” God’s Messenger asked him if that was so, and when he assured him that it was, he restored her to him. Then he divorced her the second time in the time of ‘Umar and the third time in the time of ‘Uthman. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it, but only Abu Dawud mentioned the second and third time (See Abu Dawud’s Sunan, Talaq, 14).

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are three things which, whether undertaken seriously or in jest, are treated as serious:: marriage, divorce and taking back a wife after a divorce which is not final.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

‘A’isha told of hearing God’s Messenger say, “There is no divorce or emancipation in case of ighlaq." It is said that the meaning of ighlaq is “constraint”. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Every divorce is allowable except that by an idiot or one whose mind is deranged.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition, and ‘Ata’ b. ‘Ajlan, the transmitter, is a weak authority whose traditions are rejected.

Ali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are three whose actions are not recorded:: a sleeper till he awakes, a boy till he reaches puberty, and an idiot till he is restored to reason.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it. Darimi transmitted it on the authority of 'A’isha, and Ibn Majah on the authority of both (i.e. ‘Ali and ‘A’isha’)

‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The divorce of a slave-woman consists in saying it twice, and her 'idda period is two courses.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “Women who withdraw themselves from their husbands and women who persuade their husbands to divorce them for a compensation are hypocrites.”* *This type of separation should be by mutual consent. Nasa’i transmitted it.

Nafi’ quoted a client to Safiya daughter of Abu ‘Ubaid to the effect that she got a divorce from her husband in return for everything she possessed and that ‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar made no objection to that. Malik transmitted it.

Mahmud b. Labid told that when God’s Messenger was informed about a man who had divorced his wife declaring it three times without any interval between them, he arose in anger and said, “Is sport being made of the Book of God who is great and glorious while I am among you?" As a result a man got up and said, “Messenger of God, shall I kill him?" Nasa’i transmitted it.

Malik told of hearing that a man said to ‘Abdallah b. ‘Abbas, “I have divorced my wife, uttering the divorce a hundred times, so what do you think I have made myself liable for?” Ibn ‘Abbas replied, “She was divorced from you by three utterances, and by ninety-seven you have made a mockery of God’s verses.” He transmitted it in al- Muwatta’.

Mu'adh b. Jabal told that God’s Messenger said to him, “Mu'adh, God has created nothing on the face of the earth dearer to Him than emancipation, and God has created nothing on the face of the earth more hateful to Him than divorce.” Daraqutni transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that the wife of Rifa'a al-Qurazi came to God's Messenger and said, “I was married to Rifa’a but he divorced me, making my divorce irrevocable. Afterwards I married ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. az- Zubair, but all he possesses is like the fringe of a garment.” He asked her whether she wanted to return to Rifa'a, but when she replied that she did, he said, “You may not until ‘Abd ar-Rahman and you have experienced the sweetness of intercourse with one another.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud said that God’s Messenger cursed the man who made a woman lawful for her first husband and the one for whom she was made lawful.* * This refers to an arrangement to marry a divorced woman and to divorce her after having intercourse so that the one who had divorced her might remarry her. Darimi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it on the authority of 'Ali Ibn ‘Abbas and ‘Uqba b. ‘Amir.

Sulaiman b. Yasar said he met over ten of the companions of God’s Messenger all of whom said that the one who swears to stay away from his wife must be made to return to her or divorce her at the end of the period. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Abu Salama told that Sulaiman b. Sakhr, also called Salama b. Sakhr al-Bayadi, made his wife like his mother’s back* to him till the end of Ramadan, but when only half the month had gone he had inter-course with her during the night and went to God’s Messenger and mentioned that to him. He told him to set free a slave, but he replied that he could not get one; so he told him to fast two consecutive months, but he replied that he was unable to do that; he then told him to feed sixty poor people, but he replied that he did not possess the means, God’s Messenger then said to Farwa b. ‘Amr, “Give him that ‘araq (i.e., a date-basket holding fifteen or sixteen sa’s) (Cf. page 426) in order that he may feed sixty poor people.” Tirmidhi transmitted it. *I have retained the Arabic idiom in the translation. The phrase is said to have been used as a kind of divorce in pre-Islamic times, meaning that intercourse with the woman is being considered as intercourse with one’s mother.

Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted something similar on the authority of Sulaiman b. Yasar quoting Salama b. Sakhr who said, “I was a man who was more given than others to sexual intercourse.” Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted. The version of Abu Dawud and Darimi has, “Feed sixty poor people with a camel-load of dates.

Sulaiman b. Yasar on the authority of Salama b. Sakhr, reported the Prophet as saying about one who vows to make his wife like his mother’s back and has intercourse with her before making atonement, “There is one atonement.”* * Atonement for breaking the vow should be made before doing so, but if the vow is broken then the same atonement is enough. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Ikrima told on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas that a man who had vowed to make his wife like his mother’s back had intercourse with her before making atonement, so he went to the Prophet and mentioned that to him. He asked him what had induced him to do that and he replied, “Messenger of God, I saw the whiteness of her silver anklets in the moonlight and could not restrain myself from having intercourse with her.” God's Messenger laughed and ordered him not to go near her till he had made atonement. Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Tirmidhi transmitted something similar, saying this is a hasan sahih gharib tradition. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted something similar both with a full isnad and in mursal form, Nasa’i saying that the mursal version is nearer the truth than the one with a full isnad.

Mu'awiya b. al-Hakam told that he went to God’s Messenger and said, “Messenger of God, I have a slave girl who was herding sheep of mine. I went to her, having missed a sheep from the flock, and asked her about it, and she told me it had been eaten by a wolf. I was annoyed with her, and being human, I struck her on the face. As it is my duty to set free a slave, should I set her free?” God’s Messenger asked her where God was and she replied that he was in heaven. He asked her who he was and she replied that he was God's Messenger. He then told him to set her free. Malik transmitted it. In Muslim’s version he said, “I had a slave girl who was herding sheep of mine in the direction of Uhud and al-Jawwaniya. One day I looked and saw that a wolf had gone off with one of our sheep. Now I am a man who becomes annoyed just as others do, but I gave her a blow and then went to God’s Messenger. He treated my offence as serious, and so I asked him whether I should set her free. He told me to bring her and when I did so he asked her where God was and she replied that He was in heaven. He asked her who he was and she replied that he was God’s Messenger. He then told me to set her free, for she was a believer.”* *This chapter has only one section.

Sahl b. Sa'd as-Sa‘idi told that ‘Uwaimir al-'Ajlani asked God’s Messenger:: “Tell me about a man who finds a man along with his wife. Should he kill him and then be killed by you1, or how should he act?’’ He replied, “A revelation has been sent down about you and your wife2, so go away and bring her.” Sahl said that they cursed one another in the mosque and that he was along with the people who were with God’s Messenger. Then when they finished ‘Uwaimir said, “I shall have lied against her, Messenger of God, if I keep her,” and pronounced her divorce three times. God’s Messenger then said to the people, “Look, and if she bears a child which is black, and has very black eyes, large buttocks and fat legs, I cannot but imagine that ‘Uwaimir has spoken the truth about her; but if she bears a reddish child like the lizard with red spots (wahara), I cannot but imagine that ‘Uwaimir has lied against her.” She gave birth to a child like that described by God’s Messenger in declaring that ‘Uwaimir had spoken the truth, and afterwards its lineage was traced to its mother. (Bukhari and Muslim.) 1. Some texts read as translated above; others use the third person, with reference to the family of the man and their revenge for killing him. 2. Al-Qur'an 24:6.

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet made a man and his wife invoke curses when the man disowned her child, and separated them and attributed the child to the woman. In his tradition transmitted by both of them it says that God's Messenger exhorted and admonished the man and informed him that punishment in this world is easier than that in the next. He then summoned the woman and exhorted and admonished her and told her that punishment in this world is easier than that in the next. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported the Prophet as saying to two who were invoking curses regarding one another, “Your reckoning is in God’s hands, for one of you is lying.” He then told the man that he could not remarry her, whereupon he said, “Messenger of God, what about my property?”* He replied, “There is no property for you. If you have spoken the truth, it is the price of your having had the right to intercourse with her; and if you have lied against her, it is more remote still from you than she is.” * Referring to the dower be had paid. (Bukhari and Muslim.).

Ibn ‘Abbas said:: Hilal b. Umayya accused his wife in the Prophet’s presence of having committed adultery with Sharik b. Sahma'. When the Prophet told him that he must produce evidence or receive punishment on his back, he said, “Messenger of God, when one of us sees a man having intercourse with his wife, must he go and seek evidence?” But the Prophet merely replied that he must produce evidence or receive punishment on his back. Hilal then said, “By Him who sent you with the truth, I am speaking truly. May God send down something which will free my back from punishment!” Then Gabriel descended and brought down to him, “And those who make charges against their spouses,” reciting till he reached, “if he is one of those who speak the truth” (Al-Qur’an 24:6-9).Then Hilal came and gave testimony and the Prophet was saying, “God knows that one of you is lying. Will one of you repent?” Then the woman got up and testified, but when she was about to do it a fifth time they stopped her and told her that it would be the deciding one. Ibn ‘Abbas told that she then hesitated and drew back, so that they thought she would renounce what she had said; but thereafter she said, “I shall not disgrace my people forever,” and went on with her declaration. The Prophet told them to look and see whether she gave birth to a child with eyes looking as if they had antimony in them, wide buttocks and fat legs, for if she did, Sharik b. Sahma' would be its father. Then when she gave birth to a child of that description the Prophet said, “If it were not for what has already been stated in God’s Book, I would have dealt severely with her.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told that Sa'd b. ‘Ubada asked, “If I were to find a man with my wife, should I not touch him before bringing four witnesses?” Then when God’s Messenger replied that that was so, he said, “By no means. I swear by Him who has sent you with the truth that I would take my sword to him before that.” God’s Messenger said, “Listen to what your chief says. He is jealous of his honour, but I am more jealous than he is and God is more jealous than I am.” Muslim transmitted it.