بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

  Al-Hāfidh Ibn Hajr said: 974-976. Narrated Jaabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) who said that Allah’s Messenger (salallāhu alaihi wasallam) said: “When one of you proposes to a woman for marriage, if he is able to look at what will induce him to marry her, he should do so.”  Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and all the narrators in the chain are trustworthy. Al-Haakim graded it as Saheeh.[1] The narration also has support with what is narrated by at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasā’i from al-Mugheera [2] Also reported by Ibn Maajah and Ibn Hibbaan from the hadeeth of Muhammad Ibn Maslamah.[3] Shaikh Sālih al-Fawzān said: This hadeeth proves that is permitted in the Shariah to look at the one proposed to. So if a person intends to marry a woman, and desires to marry her regardless of whether he has already proposed to her or not; then it is recommended that he looks at her – towards that which will induce him and place in him a desire for her, so that he becomes well-acquainted with the one he is ab...

[Q]:   What are the valid reasons for divorce, from your point of view your Eminence? [A]:  For divorce there are many reasons: From them (i.e. the many reasons for divorce) is lack of harmony between the husband and the wife such that it does not cause love from either one for the other or from both of them. And from them is bad behaviour of the woman or lack of listening and obedience to the husband in what he commands of the good. And from them is bad behaviour of the husband and his oppressing the woman and lack of fairness/justice for her. And from them is his falling short of fulfilling her rights and her falling short of fulfilling his rights. And from this is the occurrence of wrongdoing from one of them or both of them such that the situation is made worse because of this, so the only route is divorce, and from this is the husband or the wife turning to intoxicants and smoking. And from them is the bad state of affairs between the woman and the husband’s parents or ei...

Just as a husband should look for a righteous wife, so too should a woman look to choose a righteous husband. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah said:  “If someone should come to you whose religion and character you are pleased with, marry (your daughter) off to him. If you do not do so, there will be mischief in the land and widespread corruption.”  [1] Based on this, we see that the firm foundation that a potential couple should base their selection of one another should be that of: Religion and Character. This is what will bring about a correct and proper upbringing for children. On the wedding night when the groom consummates the marriage, it is recommended for him to say:  “O Allaah, I ask you for her good and the good that she was molded upon”  whilst placing his hand upon her head. He should also pray two rak’aat with her. [2] [1] Reported by At-Tirmidhee (1085) from the narration of Abu Haatim Al-Muznee, and he said: “This is a  hasan gha...