Choosing a Wife

A woman is married for four (things); her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. Choose (marry) the religious woman so that your home will be in abundance. [Bukhari]

In the hadith the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the decisive factors on which basis man should choose a wife and guide to what the best is in that regard.

Like many affairs of worldly matters, Islam also lends advice on the importance of selection of a good spouse. In order to make a house happy and peaceful dwelling, mutual reliance and confidence between husband and wife is compulsory. Involving the factor of religion for this purpose makes the bond between the partners beautiful and strong. However, relations that are built on factors like richness, beauty, and status are transitory, conceited and a cause of discomfort for a happy marriage. Preferring a pious spouse in matrimony means perpetual happiness and eternal salvation to religion. A spouse should be a good match in terms of piety, high ethics and fearing from Allah.  Islam urges men to prefer religious woman. A man who considers a women’s piety and her religiousness as the only criteria for companionship is regarded to have gained happiness of both the worlds. A woman is regarded to have gained timeless bliss who sees the religiousness of her husband, adheres to religion herself and fears Allah. Hence among the many criteria’s for choosing a wife, Islam chooses religion.

The Prophet (SAW), even commanded saying: “Do not marry women for their good looks, as their beauty might destroy them; and do not marry them for their wealth as their riches might lead them to be overbearing. Marry them for their religion; and a black and unattractive maid who is religious, is better [than them both].”[Ibn Maajah]