(daughter of Abu Sufyan) I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Marry my sister. the daughter of Abu Sufyan."
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do you like that?" I replied, "Yes, for even now I am not your only wife and I like
that my sister should share the good with me." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "But that is not lawful for me." I
said, We have heard that you want to marry the daughter of Abu Salama." He said, "(You mean) the
daughter of Um Salama?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Even if she were not my step-daughter, she would
be unlawful for me to marry as she is my foster niece. I and Abu Salama were suckled by Thuwaiba.
So you should not present to me your daughters or your sisters (in marriage)."
Narrated 'Urwa:
Thuwaiba was the freed slave girl of Abu Lahb whom he had manumitted, and then she suckled the
Prophet. When Abu Lahb died, one of his relatives saw him in a dream in a very bad state and asked
him, "What have you encountered?" Abu Lahb said, "I have not found any rest since I left you, except
that I have been given water to drink in this (the space between his thumb and other fingers) and that
is because of my manumitting Thuwaiba."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 38
Hadith 5102
Chapter 22: "No suckling is to be carried on after the baby is two years old." - كتاب النكاح
Narrated `Aisha:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَشْعَثِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا وَعِنْدَهَا رَجُلٌ، فَكَأَنَّهُ تَغَيَّرَ وَجْهُهُ، كَأَنَّهُ كَرِهَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّهُ أَخِي. فَقَالَ
" انْظُرْنَ مَا إِخْوَانُكُنَّ، فَإِنَّمَا الرَّضَاعَةُ مِنَ الْمَجَاعَةِ ".
that the Prophet (ﷺ) entered upon her while a man was sitting with her. Signs of answer seemed to appear
on his face as if he disliked that. She said, "Here is my (foster) brother." He said, "Be sure as to who is
your foster brother, for foster suckling relationship is established only when milk is the only food of
the child."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 39
Hadith 5103
Chapter 23: The milk belongs to the husband - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Aisha:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ أَفْلَحَ، أَخَا أَبِي الْقُعَيْسِ جَاءَ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَيْهَا ـ وَهْوَ عَمُّهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ ـ بَعْدَ أَنْ نَزَلَ الْحِجَابُ، فَأَبَيْتُ أَنْ آذَنَ لَهُ، فَلَمَّا جَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَخْبَرْتُهُ بِالَّذِي صَنَعْتُ، فَأَمَرَنِي أَنْ آذَنَ لَهُ.
that Aflah the brother of Abu Al-Qu'ais, her foster uncle, came, asking permission to enter upon her after the Verse of Al-Hijab (the use of veils by women) was revealed. `Aisha added: I did not allow him to enter, but when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came, I told him what I had done, and he ordered me to give him permission.
I married a woman and then a black lady came to us and said, "I have suckled you both (you and your
wife)." So I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "I married so-and-so and then a black lady came to us and
said to me, 'I have suckled both of you.' But I think she is a liar." The Prophet (ﷺ) turned his face away
from me and I moved to face his face, and said, "She is a liar." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "How (can you keep
her as your wife) when that lady has said that she has suckled both of you? So abandon (i.e., divorce)
her (your wife).
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 41
Hadith 5105
Chapter 25: "Forbidden to you (for marriage) are: your mothers, your daughters..." - كتاب النكاح
Ibn 'Abbas further said, "Seven types of marriages are unlawful because of blood relations, and seven because of marriage relations." Then Ibn 'Abbas recited the Verse:
"Forbidden for you (for marriages) are your mothers..." (4:23).
'Abdullah bin Ja'far married the daughter and wife of 'Ali at the same time (they were step-daughter and mother). Ibn Sirin said, "There is no harm in that." But Al-Hasan Al-Basri disapproved of it at first, but then said that there was no harm in it. Al-Hasan bin Al-Hasan bin 'Ali married two of his cousins in one night. Ja'far bin Zaid disapproved of that because of it would bring hatred (between the two cousins), but it is not unlawful, as Allah said, "Lawful to you are all others [beyond those (mentioned)]. (4:24).
Ibn 'Abbas said: "If somebody commits illegal sexual intercourse with his wife's sister, his wife does not become unlawful for him."
And narrated Abu Ja'far, "If a person commits homosexuality with a boy, then the mother of that boy is unlawful for him to marry."
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas, "If one commits illegal sexual intercourse with his mother in law, then his married relation to his wife does not become unlawful." Abu Nasr reported to have said that Ibn 'Abbas in the above case, regarded his marital relation to his wife unlawful, but Abu Nasr is not known well for hearing Hadith from Ibn 'Abbas.
Imran bin Hussain, Jabir b. Zaid, Al-Hasan and some other Iraqi's, are reported to have judged that his marital relations to his wife would be unlawful. In the above case Abu Hurairah said, "The marital relation to one's wife does not become unlawful except if one as had sexual intercourse (with her mother)." Ibn Al-Musaiyab, 'Urwa, and Az-Zuhri allows such person to keep his wife. 'Ali said, "His marital relations to his wife does not become unlawful."
I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Do you like to have (my sister) the daughter of Abu Sufyan?" The Prophet (ﷺ)
said, "What shall I do (with her)?" I said, "Marry her." He said, "Do you like that?" I said, "(Yes), for
even now I am not your only wife, so I like that my sister should share you with me." He said, "She is
not lawful for me (to marry)." I said, "We have heard that you want to marry." He said, "The daughter
of Um Salama?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Even if she were not my stepdaughter, she should be
unlawful for me to marry, for Thuwaiba suckled me and her father (Abu Salama). So you should
neither present your daughters, nor your sisters, to me."
I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Marry my sister, the daughter of Abu Sufyan." He said, "Do you like that?"
I said, "Yes, for even now I am not your only wife; and the most beloved person to share the good
with me is my sister." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "But that is not lawful for me (i.e., to be married to two
sisters at a time.)" I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! By Allah, we have heard that you want to marry Durra,
the daughter of Abu Salama." He said, "You mean the daughter of Um Salama?" I said, "Yes." He
said, "By Allah ! Even if she were not my stepdaughter, she would not be lawful for me to marry, for
she is my foster niece, for Thuwaiba has suckled me and Abu Salama; so you should neither present
your daughters, nor your sisters to me."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 44
Hadith 5109
Chapter 28: A woman should not marry a man already married to her paternal aunt - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Abu Huraira:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
" لاَ يُجْمَعُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَعَمَّتِهَا، وَلاَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَخَالَتِهَا ".
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "A woman and her paternal aunt should not be married to the same man; and
similarly, a woman and her maternal aunt should not be married to the same man."
The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade that a woman should be married to a man along with her paternal aunt or with
her maternal aunt (at the same time). Az-Zuhri (the sub-narrator) said: There is a similar order for the
paternal aunt of the father of one's wife, for 'Urwa told me that `Aisha said, "What is unlawful because
of blood relations, is also unlawful because of the corresponding foster suckling relations."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 46
Hadith 5112
Chapter 29: Ash-Shighar. (Exchange of daughters or sisters in marriage without paying Mahr) - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Ibn `Umar:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَى عَنِ الشِّغَارِ، وَالشِّغَارُ أَنْ يُزَوِّجَ الرَّجُلُ ابْنَتَهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُزَوِّجَهُ الآخَرُ ابْنَتَهُ، لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُمَا صَدَاقٌ.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade Ash-Shighar, which means that somebody marries his daughter to somebody
else, and the latter marries his daughter to the former without paying Mahr.
Khaula bint Hakim was one of those ladies who presented themselves to the Prophet (ﷺ) for marriage.
`Aisha said, "Doesn't a lady feel ashamed for presenting herself to a man?" But when the Verse: "(O
Muhammad) You may postpone (the turn of) any of them (your wives) that you please,' (33.51) was
revealed, " `Aisha said, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I do not see, but, that your Lord hurries in pleasing you.' "
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 48
Hadith 5114
Chapter 31: The marriage of Muhrim - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرٌو، حَدَّثَنَا جَابِرُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ تَزَوَّجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ مُحْرِمٌ.
The Prophet (ﷺ) got married while he was in the state of Ihram.
I heard Ibn `Abbas (giving a verdict) when he was asked about the Mut'a with the women, and he
permitted it (Nikah-al-Mut'a). On that a freed slave of his said to him, "That is only when it is very
badly needed and women are scarce." On that, Ibn `Abbas said, "Yes."
وَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ حَدَّثَنِي إِيَاسُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ وَامْرَأَةٍ تَوَافَقَا فَعِشْرَةُ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا ثَلاَثُ لَيَالٍ فَإِنْ أَحَبَّا أَنْ يَتَزَايَدَا أَوْ يَتَتَارَكَا تَتَارَكَا ". فَمَا أَدْرِي أَشَىْءٌ كَانَ لَنَا خَاصَّةً أَمْ لِلنَّاسِ عَامَّةً. قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَبَيَّنَهُ عَلِيٌّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ مَنْسُوخٌ.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)'s said, "If a man and a woman
agree (to marry temporarily), their marriage should last for three nights, and if they like to continue,
they can do so; and if they want to separate, they can do so." I do not know whether that was only for
us or for all the people in general. Abu `Abdullah (Al-Bukhari) said: `Ali made it clear that the
Prophet said, "The Mut'a marriage has been cancelled (made unlawful).
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 52
Hadith 5120
Chapter 33: A woman can present herself to a righteous man (for marriage) - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Thabit Al-Banani:
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْحُومٌ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ثَابِتًا الْبُنَانِيَّ، قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَنَسٍ وَعِنْدَهُ ابْنَةٌ لَهُ، قَالَ أَنَسٌ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَعْرِضُ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسَهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلَكَ بِي حَاجَةٌ، فَقَالَتْ بِنْتُ أَنَسٍ مَا أَقَلَّ حَيَاءَهَا وَاسَوْأَتَاهْ وَاسَوْأَتَاهْ. قَالَ هِيَ خَيْرٌ مِنْكِ رَغِبَتْ فِي النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَعَرَضَتْ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسَهَا.
I was with Anas while his daughter was present with him. Anas said, "A woman came to Allah's
Apostle and presented herself to him, saying, 'O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), have you any need for me (i.e. would
you like to marry me)?' "Thereupon Anas's daughter said, "What a shameless lady she was ! Shame!
Shame!" Anas said, "She was better than you; she had a liking for the Prophet (ﷺ) so she presented herself
for marriage to him."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 53
Hadith 5121
Chapter 33: A woman can present herself to a righteous man (for marriage) - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو غَسَّانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلٍ، أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، عَرَضَتْ نَفْسَهَا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ زَوِّجْنِيهَا. فَقَالَ " مَا عِنْدَكَ ". قَالَ مَا عِنْدِي شَىْءٌ. قَالَ " اذْهَبْ فَالْتَمِسْ وَلَوْ خَاتَمًا مِنْ حَدِيدٍ ". فَذَهَبَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا وَجَدْتُ شَيْئًا، وَلاَ خَاتَمًا مِنْ حَدِيدٍ، وَلَكِنْ هَذَا إِزَارِي وَلَهَا نِصْفُهُ ـ قَالَ سَهْلٌ وَمَا لَهُ رِدَاءٌ. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَمَا تَصْنَعُ بِإِزَارِكَ إِنْ لَبِسْتَهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهَا مِنْهُ شَىْءٌ، وَإِنْ لَبِسَتْهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُ شَىْءٌ ". فَجَلَسَ الرَّجُلُ حَتَّى إِذَا طَالَ مَجْلَسُهُ قَامَ فَرَآهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَعَاهُ أَوْ دُعِي لَهُ فَقَالَ " مَاذَا مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ". فَقَالَ مَعِي سُورَةُ كَذَا وَسُورَةُ كَذَا لِسُوَرٍ يُعَدِّدُهَا. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمْلَكْنَاكَهَا بِمَا مَعَكَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ".
A woman presented herself to the Prophet (for marriage). A man said to him, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (If
you are not in need of her) marry her to me." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "What have you got?" The man said,
"I have nothing." The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to him), "Go and search for something) even if it were an iron
ring." The man went and returned saying, "No, I have not found anything, not even an iron ring; but
this is my (Izar) waist sheet, and half of it is for her." He had no Rida' (upper garment). The Prophet (ﷺ)
said, "What will she do with your waist sheet? If you wear it, she will have nothing over her; and if
she wears it, you will have nothing over you." So the man sat down and when he had sat a long time,
he got up (to leave). When the Prophet (ﷺ) saw him (leaving), he called him back, or the man was called
(for him), and he said to the man, "How much of the Qur'an do you know (by heart)?" The man
replied I know such Sura and such Sura (by heart)," naming the Suras The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I have
married her to you for what you know of the Qur'an ."
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 54
Hadith 5122
Chapter 34: The presentation of one's own daughter or sister (for marriage) to a religious man. - كتاب النكاح
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ صَالِحِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَالِمُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ حِينَ تَأَيَّمَتْ حَفْصَةُ بِنْتُ عُمَرَ مِنْ خُنَيْسِ بْنِ حُذَافَةَ السَّهْمِيِّ ـ وَكَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَتُوُفِّيَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ ـ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَتَيْتُ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ فَعَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ حَفْصَةَ فَقَالَ سَأَنْظُرُ فِي أَمْرِي. فَلَبِثْتُ لَيَالِيَ ثُمَّ لَقِيَنِي فَقَالَ قَدْ بَدَا لِي أَنْ لاَ أَتَزَوَّجَ يَوْمِي هَذَا. قَالَ عُمَرُ فَلَقِيتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقَ فَقُلْتُ إِنْ شِئْتَ زَوَّجْتُكَ حَفْصَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ. فَصَمَتَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ إِلَىَّ شَيْئًا، وَكُنْتُ أَوْجَدَ عَلَيْهِ مِنِّي عَلَى عُثْمَانَ، فَلَبِثْتُ لَيَالِيَ ثُمَّ خَطَبَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَنْكَحْتُهَا إِيَّاهُ، فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ وَجَدْتَ عَلَىَّ حِينَ عَرَضْتَ عَلَىَّ حَفْصَةَ فَلَمْ أَرْجِعْ إِلَيْكَ شَيْئًا. قَالَ عُمَرُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَمْنَعْنِي أَنْ أَرْجِعَ إِلَيْكَ فِيمَا عَرَضْتَ عَلَىَّ إِلاَّ أَنِّي كُنْتُ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ ذَكَرَهَا، فَلَمْ أَكُنْ لأُفْشِيَ سِرَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَوْ تَرَكَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَبِلْتُهَا.
`Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "When Hafsa bint `Umar became a widow after the death of (her husband)
Khunais bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi who had been one of the companions of the Prophet, and he died at
Medina. I went to `Uthman bin `Affan and presented Hafsa (for marriage) to him. He said, "I will
think it over.' I waited for a few days, then he met me and said, 'It seems that it is not possible for me
to marry at present.' " `Umar further said, "I met Abu Bakr As-Siddique and said to him, 'If you wish,
I will marry my daughter Hafsa to you." Abu Bakr kept quiet and did not say anything to me in reply.
I became more angry with him than with `Uthman. I waited for a few days and then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
asked for her hand, and I gave her in marriage to him. Afterwards I met Abu Bakr who said, 'Perhaps
you became angry with me when you presented Hafsa to me and I did not give you a reply?' I said,
'Yes.' Abu Bakr said, 'Nothing stopped me to respond to your offer except that I knew that Allah's
Apostle had mentioned her, and I never wanted to let out the secret of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). And if Allah's
Apostle had refused her, I would have accepted her.' "
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 55
Hadith 5123
Chapter 34: The presentation of one's own daughter or sister (for marriage) to a religious man. - كتاب النكاح
Narrated Zainab bint Salama:
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ عِرَاكِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ أُمَّ حَبِيبَةَ قَالَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّا قَدْ تَحَدَّثْنَا أَنَّكَ نَاكِحٌ دُرَّةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" أَعَلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ لَوْ لَمْ أَنْكِحْ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ مَا حَلَّتْ لِي، إِنَّ أَبَاهَا أَخِي مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ ".
Um Habiba said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) "We have heard that you want to marry Durra bint Abu-Salama."
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Can she be married along with Um Salama (her mother)? Even if I have not
married Um Salama, she would not be lawful for me to marry, for her father is my foster brother."
"Hint your intention of marrying' is made by
saying (to the widow) for example: "I want to marry, and I wish that Allah will make a righteous lady
available for me.' " Al-Qasim said: One may say to the widow: 'I hold all respect for you, and I am
interested in you; Allah will bring you much good, or something similar 'Ata said: One should hint his
intention, and should not declare it openly. One may say: 'I have some need. Have good tidings. Praise
be to Allah; you are fit to remarry.' She (the widow) may say in reply: I am listening to what you say,'
but she should not make a promise. Her guardian should not make a promise (to somebody to get her
married to him) without her knowledge. But if, while still in the Iddat period, she makes a promise to
marry somebody, and he ultimately marries her, they are not to be separated by divorce (i.e., the
marriage is valid).
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 56
Hadith 5125
Chapter 36: (It is permissible) to look at a woman before marrying. - كتاب النكاح
Narrated `Aisha:
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" رَأَيْتُكِ فِي الْمَنَامِ يَجِيءُ بِكِ الْمَلَكُ فِي سَرَقَةٍ مِنْ حَرِيرٍ فَقَالَ لِي هَذِهِ امْرَأَتُكَ. فَكَشَفْتُ عَنْ وَجْهِكِ الثَّوْبَ، فَإِذَا أَنْتِ هِيَ فَقُلْتُ إِنْ يَكُ هَذَا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ يُمْضِهِ ".
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to me), "You were shown to me in a dream. An angel brought you to me,
wrapped in a piece of silken cloth, and said to me, 'This is your wife.' I removed the piece of cloth
from your face, and there you were. I said to myself. 'If it is from Allah, then it will surely be.' "
A woman came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have come to you to present myself
to you (for marriage)." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) glanced at her. He looked at her carefully and fixed his glance
on her and then lowered his head. When the lady saw that he did not say anything, she sat down. A
man from his companions got up and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! If you are not in need of her, then
marry her to me." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Have you got anything to offer." The man said, 'No, by Allah, O
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to him), "Go to your family and try to find something." So the
man went and returned, saying, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I have not found anything." The
Prophet said, "Go again and look for something, even if it were an iron ring." He went and returned,
saying, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I could not find even an iron ring, but this is my Izar (waist
sheet).' He had no Rida (upper garment). He added, "I give half of it to her." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said
"What will she do with your Izar? If you wear it, she will have nothing over herself thereof (will be
naked); and if she wears it, then you will have nothing over yourself thereof ' So the man sat for a long
period and then got up (to leave). When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saw him leaving, he ordered that he e called
back. When he came, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked (him), "How much of the Qur'an do you know (by heart)?"
The man replied, I know such Sura and such Sura and such Sura," naming the suras. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"Can you recite it by heart?" He said, 'Yes." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Go I let you marry her for what you
know of the Qur'an (as her Mahr).
'Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) told him that there were four types of marriage during Pre-Islamic period of Ignorance. One type was similar to that of the present day i.e. a man used to ask somebody else for the hand of a girl under his guardianship or for his daughter's hand, and give her Mahr and then marry her. The second type was that a man would say to his wife after she had become clean from her period. "Send for so-and-so and have sexual intercourse with him." Her husband would then keep away from her and would never sleep with her till she got pregnant from the other man with whom she was sleeping. When her pregnancy became evident, he husband would sleep with her if he wished. Her husband did so (i.e. let his wife sleep with some other man) so that he might have a child of noble breed. Such marriage was called as Al-Istibda'. Another type of marriage was that a group of less than ten men would assemble and enter upon a woman, and all of them would have sexual relation with her. If she became pregnant and delivered a child and some days had passed after delivery, she would sent for all of them and none of them would refuse to come, and when they all gathered before her, she would say to them, "You (all) know waht you have done, and now I have given birth to a child. So, it is your child so-and-so!" naming whoever she liked, and her child would follow him and he could not refuse to take him. The fourth type of marriage was that many people would enter upon a lady and she would never refuse anyone who came to her. Those were the prostitutes who used to fix flags at their doors as sign, and he who would wished, could have sexual intercourse with them. If anyone of them got pregnant and delivered a child, then all those men would be gathered for her and they would call the Qa'if (persons skilled in recognizing the likeness of a child to his father) to them and would let the child follow the man (whom they recognized as his father) and she would let him adhere to him and be called his son. The man would not refuse all that. But when Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent with the Truth, he abolished all the types of marriages observed in pre-Islamic period of Ignorance except the type of marriage the people recognize today.