سنن نسائی · Hadith 3347

It was narrated from Sahl bin Saad that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم and said: “Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم, I have come to offer myself to you (in marriage).” The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم looked her up and down then lowered his head. When the woman saw that he was not saying anything about her, she sat down. A man among his Companions stood up and said: “Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم, if you do not want to marry her, then marry me to her.” He said: “Do you have anything.” He said: “No, by Allah, I do not have anything.” He said: “Look, even if it is only an iron ring.” He went, then he came back and said: “No, by Allah, Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم, not even an iron ring, but this is my Izar (lower garment)” — Sahl said: “He did not have a Rida’ (upper garment)” — “she can have half of it.” The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said: “What could she do with your Izar? If you wear it, she will not have any of it, and if she wears it, you will not have any of it.” The man sat down for a long time, then he got up, and the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم saw him leaving, so he ordered that he be called back. When he came, he said: “What do you know of the Qur’an?” He said: “I know Sarah such-and-such, and Sarah such-and-such,” and listed them. He said: “Can you recite them by heart?” He said: “Yes.” He said: “Then I marry you to her on the basis of what you know of the Qur’an.” (Sahih)

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020