Marriage

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَزَوَّجُوا وَ زَوِّجُوا أَلَا فَمِنْ حَظِّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ إِنْفَاقُ قِيمَةِ أَيِّمَةٍ[2] وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ بَيْتٍ يُعْمَرُ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ بِالنِّكَاحِ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَبْغَضَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ بَيْتٍ يُخْرَبُ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ بِالْفُرْقَةِ يَعْنِي الطَّلَاقَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Safwan ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ رَكْعَتَانِ يُصَلِّيهِمَا الْمُتَزَوِّجُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ رَكْعَةً يُصَلِّيهَا أَعْزَبُ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَشْعَرِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَدَّاحِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Two Rak’at Salat (prayer) performed by a married person is more virtuous than seventy Rak’at Salat (prayer) performed by a non-married person.’” “A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ariy from ibn al-Qaddah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَزَوَّجَ أَحْرَزَ نِصْفَ دِينِهِ وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ فِي النِّصْفِ الْآخَرِ أَوِ الْبَاقِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) said, ‘By getting married one secures one-half of his religion.’ In another Hadith it is said that one must thereafter maintain piety before Allah about the other one-half.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رُذَالُ مَوْتَاكُمُ الْعُزَّابُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The worthless dead among you are the unmarried ones.’”

لَمَّا لَقِيَ يُوسُفُ ع أَخَاهُ قَالَ يَا أَخِي كَيْفَ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَزَوَّجَ النِّسَاءَ بَعْدِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي قَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَكَ ذُرِّيَّةٌ تُثْقِلُ الْأَرْضَ بِالتَّسْبِيحِ فَافْعَلْ.

‘When Yusuf met his brother, he asked, “How did you marry women after me?” He replied, “My father commanded me to do so and said, ‘If you can have so many children who will load the earth heavily with Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), then you must do so.”””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَزَوَّجُوا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَتَّبِعَ سُنَّتِي فَإِنَّ مِنْ سُنَّتِيَ التَّزْوِيجَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You must become married because the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Whoever wants to follow my Sunnah, must take notice that of my Sunnah is marriage.’

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ هَلْ لَكَ مِنْ زَوْجَةٍ فَقَالَ لَا فَقَالَ أَبِي وَ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِيَ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا وَ أَنِّي بِتُّ لَيْلَةً وَ لَيْسَتْ لِي زَوْجَةٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ الرَّكْعَتَانِ يُصَلِّيهِمَا رَجُلٌ مُتَزَوِّجٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَعْزَبَ يَقُومُ لَيْلَهُ وَ يَصُومُ نَهَارَهُ ثُمَّ أَعْطَاهُ أَبِي سَبْعَةَ دَنَانِيرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ تَزَوَّجْ بِهَذِهِ ثُمَّ قَ

6. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated and others have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah al-Barqiy form ibn Faddal and Ja’far ibn Muhammad from ibn al-Qaddah who has said the following: “Once, a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you married?’ The man replied, ‘No, I am not married.’ My fat

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأَنَا لَيْسَ لِي أَهْلٌ فَقَالَ أَ لَيْسَ لَكَ جَوَارِي أَوْ قَالَ أُمَّهَاتُ أَوْلَادٍ قَالَ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَنْتَ لَيْسَ بِأَعْزَبَ‌[3].

“‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah has narrated from abu al-Hassan (a.s.), a similar Hadith and added the following: Muhammad ibn ‘Ubayd said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am not married.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you not have slave-girls’ or that he (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you not have mothers

مَنْ تَرَكَ التَّزْوِيجَ مَخَافَةَ الْعَيْلَةِ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ بِاللَّهِ الظَّنَّ.

“One who neglects marriage for fear of failure to feed his family has become distrustful of Allah.”’

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ تَزَوَّجْ فَتَزَوَّجَ فَوُسِّعَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his financial condition. He (the Messenger of Allah) told him to become married and he did so after which he became affluent.’”

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص شَابٌّ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ تَزَوَّجْ فَقَالَ الشَّابُّ إِنِّي لَأَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ أَعُودَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَلَحِقَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ لِي بِنْتاً وَسِيمَةً[1] فَزَوَّجَهَا إِيَّاهُ قَالَ فَوَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ [قَالَ‌] فَأَتَى الشَّابُّ النَّبِيَّ ص فَأَخْبَرَهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ عَلَيْكُمْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a young man from al-Ansar (people of al- Madinah) came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his needs. He (the Messenger of Allah) told him to become married. The young man s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَدِيثُ الَّذِي يَرْوِيهِ النَّاسُ حَقٌّ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَأَمَرَهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ فَفَعَلَ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَأَمَرَهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ حَتَّى أَمَرَهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع [نَعَمْ‌] هُوَ حَقٌّ ثُمَّ قَالَ الرِّزْقُ مَعَ النِّسَاءِ وَ الْعِيَالِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the truth in Hadith which people narrate that a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and complained about his financial condition. He (the Messenger of Allah) comma

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ التَّزْوِيجَ مَخَافَةَ الْعَيْلَةِ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ ظَنَّهُ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَراءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[1].

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who neglects marriage because of his fear to feed his dependents has become cynical about Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, who has said, “If they

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَأَمَرَهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ قَالَ فَاشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الْحَاجَةُ فَأَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اشْتَدَّتْ بِيَ الْحَاجَةُ فَقَالَ فَفَارِقْ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ أَثْرَيْتُ وَ حَسُنَ حَالِي‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَمَرْتُكَ بِأَمْرَيْنِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِمَا ق

“Once I was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came and complained before him (the Imam) about his financial conditions. He (the Imam) commanded him to get married but his needs became more pressing and he came back again to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who asked about his conditions. He replied that it has worsened. He

يَتَزَوَّجُوا حَتَّى يُغْنِيَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[5].

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot find marriage must remain chaste until Allah through His generosity makes them self-sufficient,’ (24:33) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘They must become married so that (when) Allah makes them self- sufficient through His generosity.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَفْضَلُ الشَّفَاعَاتِ أَنْ تَشْفَعَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ فِي نِكَاحٍ حَتَّى يَجْمَعَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمَا.

The best intercession and mediation is that between two people until Allah unites them in marriage.’”

مَنْ زَوَّجَ أَعْزَبَ كَانَ مِمَّنْ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who arranges a marriage for an unmarried person is of those to whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, will look on Day of Judgment.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا الْمَرْأَةُ قِلَادَةٌ فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَا تَقَلَّدُهُ قَالَ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لَيْسَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ خَطَرٌ لَا لِصَالِحَتِهِنَّ وَ لَا لِطَالِحَتِهِنَّ أَمَّا صَالِحَتُهُنَّ فَلَيْسَ خَطَرُهَا الذَّهَبَ وَ الْفِضَّةَ بَلْ هِيَ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَ الْفِضَّةِ وَ أَمَّا طَالِحَتُهُنَّ فَلَيْسَ التُّرَابُ خَطَرَهَا بَلِ التُّرَابُ خَيْرٌ مِنْهَا.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘A woman is a necklace, so consider what you are placing around your neck.’ I (the narrator) also heard him (the Imam) saying, ‘Women are priceless and it applies to both, virtuous and otherwise, among them. Gold and silver cannot become the price for a virtuous woman becaus

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ اخْتَارُوا لِنُطَفِكُمْ فَإِنَّ الْخَالَ أَحَدُ الضَّجِيعَيْنِ.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Choose for your seed (the best ground) thus, maternal uncle is one of the two bedfellows (close associates).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَنْكِحُوا الْأَكْفَاءَ وَ انْكِحُوا فِيهِمْ وَ اخْتَارُوا لِنُطَفِكُمْ.

3. Through the same chain of narrators as that of the previous Hadith the following is narrated: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Get married but the party must be a proper match, so marry from them (proper matches) and choose (proper environment) for your seeds.’”

قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص خَطِيباً فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ خَضْرَاءَ الدِّمَنِ‌[1] قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا خَضْرَاءُ الدِّمَنِ قَالَ الْمَرْأَةُ الْحَسْنَاءُ فِي مَنْبِتِ السَّوْءِ.

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, one day stood up to give a speech and said, ‘O people, I warn you against Khadra’ al-Deman (a green plant that grows on the dump-site).’ It was asked, ‘What is Khadra’ al- Deman O Messenger of Allah?’

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص يَسْتَأْمِرُهُ فِي النِّكَاحِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص انْكِحْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ‌[2].

‘You must marry one who is religious beyond questions.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً يُرِيدُ مَالَهَا الْجَأَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى ذَلِكَ الْمَالِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘If one marries a woman for the sake of her wealth, Allah makes that wealth his (only) refuge.’”

إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الرَّجُلُ الْمَرْأَةَ لِجَمَالِهَا أَوْ مَالِهَا وُكِلَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا تَزَوَّجَهَا لِدِينِهَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ الْجَمَالَ وَ الْمَالَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, (a.s.) has said, ‘If one marries a woman for the sake of her beauty or wealth he will be left alone with such things; but if one marries for the sake of her religion, Allah provides him beauty and wealth.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي ابْنَةَ عَمٍّ قَدْ رَضِيتُ جَمَالَهَا وَ حُسْنَهَا وَ دِينَهَا وَ لَكِنَّهَا عَاقِرٌ فَقَالَ لَا تَزَوَّجْهَا إِنَّ يُوسُفَ بْنَ يَعْقُوبَ لَقِيَ أَخَاهُ فَقَالَ يَا أَخِي كَيْفَ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَتَزَوَّجَ النِّسَاءَ بَعْدِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي أَمَرَنِي وَ قَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ لَكَ ذُرِّيَّةٌ تُثْقِلُ الْأَرْضَ بِالتَّسْبِيحِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O the Holy Prophet of Allah, I have the daughter of an uncle whose beauty, goodness and religion I like; but she is barren.’” He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘You must not marry her; Yusuf after meeting his brother asked him, “How

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَزَوَّجُوا بِكْراً وَلُوداً وَ لَا تَزَوَّجُوا حَسْنَاءَ جَمِيلَةً عَاقِراً فَإِنِّي أُبَاهِي بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You must marry virgin and child bearing women, but you must not marry good a looking but barren woman because I will express pride because of you among nati

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قِلَّةَ وُلْدِي وَ أَنَّهُ لَا وَلَدَ لِي فَقَالَ لِي إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْعِرَاقَ فَتَزَوَّجِ امْرَأَةً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ سَوْءَاءَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا السَّوْءَاءُ قَالَ امْرَأَةٌ فِيهَا قُبْحٌ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَكْثَرُ أَوْلَاداً.

“I once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for not having enough children and that I have no child. He (the Imam) said to me, ‘When you arrive in Iraq, marry a woman and do not mind if she is al-Su’a’.’ I then asked, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what is al- Su’a’?’ He (the Imam) sai

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِرَجُلٍ تَزَوَّجْهَا سَوْءَاءَ وَلُوداً وَ لَا تَزَوَّجْهَا حَسْنَاءَ عَاقِراً فَإِنِّي مُبَاهٍ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَ وَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْوِلْدَانَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لآِبَائِهِمْ يَحْضُنُهُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمُ وَ تُرَبِّيهِمْ سَارَةُ فِي جَبَلٍ مِنْ مِسْكٍ وَ عَنْبَرٍ وَ زَعْفَرَانٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once said to a man, ‘Marry al-Su’a’ and child bearing woman but do not marry a good looking barren woman. I will express pride because of you among nation

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَزَوَّجُوا الْأَبْكَارَ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَطْيَبُ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْوَاهاً وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ وَ أَنْشَفُهُ أَرْحَاماً وَ أَدَرُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَخْلَافاً وَ أَفْتَحُ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَرْحَاماً أَ مَا عَلِمْتُمْ أَنِّي أُبَاهِي بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى بِالسِّقْطِ يَظَلُّ مُحْبَنْطِئاً عَلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ[1] فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ادْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ فَيَقُولُ لَا أَدْخُلُ حَتَّى ي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Marry virgins; they are of the finest mouth.’ In another Hadith it is said that, their uterus most dry, their posterior most round, and their womb most

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِذَوَاتِ الْأَوْرَاكِ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَنْجَبُ‌[2].

‘You must marry women of large hips because they are most fertile for child bearing.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَزَوَّجُوا سَمْرَاءَ عَيْنَاءَ عَجْزَاءَ مَرْبُوعَةً فَإِنْ كَرِهْتَهَا فَعَلَيَّ مَهْرُهَا[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Marry woman of brunette color, wide buttocks and of medium height. If you disliked, her mahr (dowry) is on me.’”

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا نَكَحْتَ فَانْكِحْ عَجْزَاءَ.

“Al-Rida’ (a.s.), once said to me, ‘If you want to marry, marry a woman of large buttocks.’”

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِذَا أَرَادَ تَزْوِيجَ امْرَأَةٍ بَعَثَ مَنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهَا وَ يَقُولُ لِلْمَبْعُوثَةِ شَمِّي لِيتَهَا فَإِنْ طَابَ لِيتُهَا طَابَ عَرْفُهَا وَ انْظُرِي كَعْبَهَا فَإِنْ دَرِمَ كَعْبُهَا عَظُمَ كَعْثَبُهَا[2].

“When the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, wanted to marry a woman he would send a woman to examine her with the instruction, ‘Smell her neck; if it smells fine her scent smells fine, and if her soles are full, her knees are large.’”

إِنِّي جَرَّبْتُ جَوَارِيَ بَيْضَاءَ وَ أَدْمَاءَ فَكَانَ بَيْنَهُنَّ بَوْنٌ‌[3].

that Abu Abdillah al-Sadiq (as) said: "I have experienced [having] both light-skinned and dark-skinned maidservants, and there was a difference between them." (Allama al-Majlisi says: It means both of them have a preference)

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَزَوَّجُوا الزُّرْقَ فَإِنَّ فِيهِنَّ الْيُمْنَ.

‘Marry blue colored eyes; it is a sign of good fortune.’”

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكْشِفَ الثَّوْبَ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ بَيْضَاءَ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘It is of the well-being of a man who on moving aside the veil of a woman finds her white.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَزَوَّجْهَا عَيْنَاءَ سَمْرَاءَ عَجْزَاءَ مَرْبُوعَةً فَإِنْ كَرِهْتَهَا فَعَلَيَّ الصَّدَاقُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Marry a woman of large eyes, of brunette color, wide buttocks and of medium height; and if you disliked, her mahr (dowry) is on me.’”

الْمَرْأَةُ الْجَمِيلَةُ تَقْطَعُ الْبَلْغَمَ وَ الْمَرْأَةُ السَّوْءَاءُ تُهَيِّجُ الْمِرَّةَ السَّوْدَاءَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A good looking woman cuts down phlegm and an ugly looking woman excites black bile.’”

أَ مَا لَكَ جَارِيَةٌ تُضْحِكُكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَاتَّخِذْهَا فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَقْطَعُ الْبَلْغَمَ.

“He (the narrator) once complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), against phlegm and he (the Imam) asked, ‘Do you not have a slave-girl who can make you laugh?’ I (the narrator) said, ‘No, I do not have one.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Find one; she will cut down phlegm.’”

أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَحْمِلُ أَعْظَمَ مَا يَحْمِلُ الرِّجَالُ فَهَلْ يَصْلُحُ لِي أَنْ آتِيَ بَعْضَ مَا لِي مِنَ الْبَهَائِمِ نَاقَةً أَوْ حِمَارَةً فَإِنَّ النِّسَاءَ لَا يَقْوَيْنَ عَلَى مَا عِنْدِي فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمْ يَخْلُقْكَ حَتَّى خَلَقَ لَكَ مَا يَحْتَمِلُكَ مِنْ شَكْلِكَ فَانْصَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ وَ لَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنْ عَادَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I carry the largest thing that man carry, if I can make use of the animals that I own, like a donkey or she-camel, be

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الْمَرْءِ أَنْ لَا تَطْمَثَ ابْنَتُهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ.

‘It is of the good fortune of a man whose daughter does not experience Hayd (menses) in his home.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا عَلَّمَهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَكَانَ مِنْ تَعْلِيمِهِ إِيَّاهُ أَنَّهُ صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ أَتَانِي عَنِ اللَّطِيفِ الْخَبِيرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْأَبْكَارَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الثَّمَرِ عَلَى الشَّجَرِ إِذَا أَدْرَكَ ثَمَرُهُ فَلَمْ يُجْتَنَى أَفْسَدَتْهُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has taught to His Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, everything that is needed. Of such teachings is what he spoke one day from the pulpit. He (the Messenger of Allah) praised

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ حَوَّاءَ مِنْ آدَمَ فَهِمَّةُ النِّسَاءِ الرِّجَالُ فَحَصِّنُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ.

‘Allah created the creatures from Eve and Adam. The ambition of women is for men and their fortresses are the homes.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ آدَمَ ع مِنَ الْمَاءِ وَ الطِّينِ فَهِمَّةُ ابْنِ آدَمَ فِي الْمَاءِ وَ الطِّينِ وَ خَلَقَ حَوَّاءَ مِنْ آدَمَ فَهِمَّةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الرِّجَالِ فَحَصِّنُوهُنَّ فِي الْبُيُوتِ‌[1].

‘Allah created Adam from water and clay so the ambition of the sons of Adam is in water and clay. He created Eve from Adam so the ambition of women is for men and their fortress is in the houses.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي بَعْضِ كَلَامِهِ‌ إِنَّ السِّبَاعَ هَمُّهَا بُطُونُهَا وَ إِنَّ النِّسَاءَ هَمُّهُنَّ الرِّجَالُ.

The ambition of beasts is to fill their stomach, and the ambition of women is to find men.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ خُلِقَ الرِّجَالُ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَ إِنَّمَا هَمُّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ خُلِقَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَ إِنَّمَا هَمُّهَا فِي الرِّجَالِ احْبِسُوا نِسَاءَكُمْ يَا مَعَاشِرَ الرِّجَالِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘Men are created from earth, their ambition is in earth, and women are created from men and their ambition is to find men; so keep your women, O community of men.’”

قَالَ‌ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رِسَالَتِهِ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ ع إِيَّاكَ وَ مُشَاوَرَةَ النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّ رَأْيَهُنَّ إِلَى الْأَفْنِ وَ عَزْمَهُنَّ إِلَى الْوَهْنِ‌[1] وَ اكْفُفْ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ بِحِجَابِكَ إِيَاهُنَّ فَإِنَّ شِدَّةَ الْحِجَابِ خَيْرٌ لَكَ وَ لَهُنَّ مِنَ الِارْتِيَابِ وَ لَيْسَ خُرُوجُهُنَّ بِأَشَدَّ مِنْ دُخُولِ مَنْ لَا تَثِقُ بِهِ عَلَيْهِنَ‌[2] فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لَا يَع

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, in his letter to al- Hassan (a.s.) : ‘You must never consult women because their opinion is weak in reason and their aim is not durable. They must keep their eye cast down by means of your barrier, because strict privacy is better for you and for them an

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا أَتَاهُ خَتَنُهُ عَلَى ابْنَتِهِ أَوْ عَلَى أُخْتِهِ بَسَطَ لَهُ رِدَاءَهُ ثُمَّ أَجْلَسَهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ مَرْحَباً بِمَنْ كَفَى الْمَئُونَةَ وَ سَتَرَ الْعَوْرَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would spread his gown as furnishing when the husband of his daughter or sister would come to him (the Imam) and would say, ‘Welcome to the one who has taken good care of a need and the one who protected the privacy.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الشَّهْوَةَ عَشَرَةَ أَجْزَاءٍ فَجَعَلَ تِسْعَةَ أَجْزَاءٍ فِي النِّسَاءِ وَ جُزْءاً وَاحِداً فِي الرِّجَالِ وَ لَوْ لَا مَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِنَّ مِنَ الْحَيَاءِ عَلَى قَدْرِ أَجْزَاءِ الشَّهْوَةِ لَكَانَ لِكُلِّ رَجُلٍ تِسْعُ نِسْوَةٍ مُتَعَلِّقَاتٍ بِهِ.

‘Allah created desire of ten parts, of which nine parts are placed in women and only one part in men. If He did not place shyness in women of a similar (nine out of ten) amount in women like desire, nine women would attach themselves to one man.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ صَبْرَ عَشَرَةِ رِجَالٍ فَإِذَا هَاجَتْ كَانَتْ لَهَا قُوَّةُ شَهْوَةِ عَشَرَةِ رِجَالٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah has placed in women a degree of patience which is ten times greater than the patience of men. If excited she has a force of desire which is equal to ten men.”’