ibn haz

narrated by Al-Bukhari -4802- and Muslim -1466- from Abu Hurayrah -may Allah be pleased with him- from the Prophet -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- who said: “A woman may be married for four things : her wealth- her lineage- her beauty and her religious commitment. Seek the one who is religiously-committed - may your hands be rubbed with dust The correct view concerning the meaning of this hadeeth is that the Prophet -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- was speaking of what people usually do- which is that they look for these four characteristics- the last of which in their view is religious commitment- but you who are rightly guided should choose the one who is religiously committed. -Al-Nawawi Sharh Muslim -10-52-:- Abd al-‘Azeem Abaadi -may Allah have mercy on him- said:  What this means is that a man who is religiously committed and of noble character should make religion his focus in all things- especially with regard to long-term matters. So the Prophet -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- enjoined finding a wife who is religiously committed- which is the ultimate goal.  “may your hands be rubbed with dust” is urging him to strive hard and roll up his sleeves and seek that which is enjoined.   ‘Awn al-Ma’bood -6-31- Attributes of religiously committed women 1 Sound belief  2 The woman who is from ahl al-sunnah wa’l-jamaa’ah 3 Good etiquette and knowledge  4 she is obedient to her Lord and fulfils her husband’s rights with regard to his wealth and herself- even when her husband is absent 5 Obedience to her husband- and not going against him If he tells her to do something- she obeys him- so long as he does not tell her to commit sin 6 When he looks at her- he is happy with her religious commitment- attitude- behaviour and appearance 7 When he is away from her- she protects his honour and his wealth 8 Helping her husband in his faith and religious commitment- telling him to do acts of obedience and stopping him from doing haraam things 9 A righteous wife will be with her righteous husband for many years- She may offer the love and compassion that the pain of separation may be harder for her than death and harder than losing wealth or leaving one’s homeland- especially if they have children together who will be harmed by separation 10 She is a devout worshipper and one who fasts- doing acts of obedience and worship- and righteous deeds- and refraining from haraam things 11 Women who migrated to muslim lands for the sake of Allah or who go with her husband wherever he goes 12 The woman who is religiously committed is the one who will help a man to protect his own religious commitment- and help him with regard to his Hereafter- she will make him happy when he looks at her and she will protect him when he is absent- and she will raise his children well