Chapter Seven
On Women

The finest and most blessed women are those who are comely, bear many children, and whose bridal gift is modest.

The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said, “Marry a free woman, for she is purer and more blessed.”

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb—may Allah be pleased with him—said, “Seek refuge in Allah from the worst of women, and beware even of the best of them.”

The author comments: Whoever seeks his own rectitude and good management but does not find a beautiful woman with whom to take delight should seek a woman of religion, for a woman of piety is better and more blessed. When piety is present, wealth follows—and it, too, is more blessed. A woman without religion has no firm foundation, and whatever she owns is bereft of blessing; by the blessing of piety every good is obtained, as the following tale shows.

Anecdote: In the city of Marw there lived a man named Nūḥ ibn Maryam, the city’s leader and its judge. He enjoyed great fortune and ample means, and he had a daughter of surpassing beauty, grace, and perfection. Many eminent men, dignitaries, and wealthy figures sought her hand, but he granted her to none of them. Perplexed, he did not know to which suitor he should marry her, saying, “If I wed her to one man, I will offend another.”

He also had a pious Indian servant named Mubārak and owned a vineyard luxuriant with trees and fruit. He said to the servant, “I want you to go and guard the vineyard so that I may look it over.” When he arrived, he said, “O Mubārak, bring me a cluster of grapes,” and Mubārak handed him a cluster.