بیوی کا انتخاب

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. So choose the one with religion — may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e. you will prosper).” (Bukhari)

This hadith encourages marrying a righteous woman: when you intend to marry, look before all the above considerations at her religious commitment; if you choose a pious woman you will prosper. It is stated elsewhere that whoever chooses religion is also granted wealth, beauty, and good lineage — that is, through a righteous woman Allah, the Lord of Glory, bestows all these blessings. In today's materialistic age people have reversed the order and given priority to wealth and beauty, whether the woman be religious or not, however outwardly beautiful and however great a cause of later distress; but of what use is regret afterwards? Peace and tranquillity in the home come not from wealth but from good character and a good nature — which is why the noble Prophet ﷺ gave priority to religion.

To consider good family, good appearance, and good means of livelihood is not forbidden in the Shari'ah; if all or some of these are available, that is very good. But the thing the Shari'ah commands us to place above all else is religious commitment. One must not forget that Allah has given woman, by her nature, more of the quality of adapting herself than of moulding others to her ways. When arranging a match one should bear in mind that this worldly marriage of a righteous man and a righteous woman will become the foundation of an everlasting bond in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. So at the time of marriage one must remember this blessed word of Allah:

“Corrupt women are for corrupt men, and corrupt men are for corrupt women; and good women are for good men, and good men are for good women.” (An-Nur 26)

A very great responsibility therefore falls upon all parents: in arranging the marriage of their children, they should give first consideration to the clear command of the hadith — namely religious commitment. If the other things come along with it, there is no fault or harm in that. May Allah grant us all the guidance to follow the true Sunnah. (Amin)