- What the spouses should intend by marriage
They ought to marry with the intention of safeguarding and protecting themselves from falling into what Allah has forbidden, for even their conjugal relations are recorded for them as charity, as is stated in the hadith of Abū Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him):
“Some of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ said to him, ‘Messenger of Allah, the affluent have taken all the reward: they pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, yet they give charity from the surplus of their wealth.’ He replied, ‘Has not Allah granted you deeds through which you may give charity? Every declaration of “Subḥāna Allāh” is charity, every “Allāhu akbar” is charity, every “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” is charity, every “Al-ḥamdu lillāh” is charity; enjoining what is right is charity, forbidding what is wrong is charity, and in the sexual act of any one of you there is charity.’
They exclaimed, ‘Messenger of Allah, does one of us satisfy his desire and still receive a reward for it?!’