As for what a husband should say when he enters upon his wife on their wedding night, Abū Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah narrated from Amr ibn Shuayb, from his father, from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When one of you marries a woman or purchases a servant, let him say: ‘O Allah, I ask You for the good in her and the good upon which You created her, and I seek refuge in You from the evil in her and the evil upon which You created her.’ If he purchases a camel, let him take hold of the top of its hump and say the same.”1

His words, “O Allah, I ask You for the good in her,” mean the good found in this woman, such as kind companionship, faithfulness to the marriage bed, trustworthiness with his wealth, due regard for her husband’s rights, and similar qualities.

His words, “and the good upon which You created her,” mean the good qualities with which You created her, including fine character, pleasing dispositions, and noble traits.

His words, “and I seek refuge in You from the evil in her and the evil upon which You created her,” express seeking refuge in Allah and turning to Him so that He may protect the husband and keep him safe from any evil in her character, conduct, companionship, or disposition.

This indicates that the well-being of the spouses and the harmony of their life together can be achieved only by turning to Allah, relying upon Him, and asking Him alone for assistance, success, and righteousness.

As for what a husband should say when he intends to have relations with his wife, al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated in their two Sahīhs from Abd Allāh ibn Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “If one of them, when intending to have relations with his wife, were to say: ‘In the name of Allah. O Allah, keep Satan away from us, and keep Satan away from whatever You grant us,’ then, if a child is decreed for them from that union, the child will not