- The hadith of Anas concerning the story of the group of men: “... and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me.”
It was recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim, as well as others. I have traced its sources in al-Irwa’ (1808).
- His saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Marry the loving, fertile woman, for I shall take pride in your great number before the nations.”
It is reported in the hadith of Ma‘qil ibn Yasar, which al-Hakim authenticated; in that of Anas ibn Malik, which Ibn Hibban authenticated; and in that of ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar, through a good chain of transmission. It is traced in Adab al-Zifaf (pp. 53–54) and al-Irwa’ (1811).
- From Anas, attributed to the Prophet: “O company of young men, whoever among you has the means should marry; otherwise, he must fast, for it restrains desire.” Al-Bazzar recorded it (p. 146, al-Zawa’id) from him through an authentic chain of transmission. It has a supporting narration from the hadith of ‘Uthman and another from the hadith of Ibn Mas‘ud, with similar wording; both are traced in al-Ta‘liq al-Raghib (3/67).
2384 — “He forbade covering walls.”
Al-Bayhaqi recorded it (7/272) from Hakim ibn Jubayr, from ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn, as a mursal report. I say: Hakim ibn Jubayr is weak, as stated in al-Taqrib; thus, it is a mursal report with a weak chain of transmission.
I say: Nevertheless, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is authentically reported through more than one route to have disapproved of covering walls when there is no need for it. Among these is the hadith of ‘A’ishah concerning the story of the patterned cloth, and his saying to her: