The Book of Marriage
Introduction
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THE BOOK OF MARRIAGE
495—It is one of the practices of the messengers.
496—The hadith states: “Young men, whoever among you has the means to marry should do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and safeguarding chastity. Whoever lacks the means should fast, for fasting will curb his desire.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim1.
497—The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. Choose the one of religious commitment—may your right hand be covered in dust!” Narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim2.
498—He should choose a woman3 of religious commitment and noble lineage, one who is loving, fertile, and from a respected family.
499—If he becomes inclined to propose marriage to a woman, he may look at what would encourage him
(1) Narrated by al-Bukhārī, 9/112, and Muslim, no. 1400. Linguistically, *al-bāʾa* means sexual intercourse; here, it refers to the expenses of marriage, including the bridal gift and maintenance. *Al-wijāʾ* means crushing the testicles; it is also said to mean crushing the testicular vessels while leaving the testicles intact, thereby eliminating sexual desire. The intended meaning is that fasting safeguards one against the evils of sexual desire.
(2) Narrated by al-Bukhārī, 9/132, and Muslim, no. 1466. In the versions by both that I have seen, the wording is: “May your hands be covered in dust”; the wording “your right hand” occurs in sources other than these two. *Hasab* means what a person counts among his own merits or the nobility of his forefathers. “May they be covered in dust” means “may they cling to the dust out of poverty”; it is an imprecation whose literal meaning is not intended.
(3) In manuscripts “B” and “T”: “a woman possessing [religious commitment].”