Choosing a pious husband: the advice of Shaykh ar-Rohaylī

Shaykh Soulaymān ar-Rohaylī (may Allah preserve him) said:

Religion and character: the two foundations

Concerning the man, it is reported in the hadith of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with asks you for [a woman] in marriage, then marry her to him. If you do not do so, there will be tribulation on earth and great corruption." — Reported by at-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah, authenticated by al-Albānī

His saying: "When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with asks you for [a woman] in marriage, then marry her to him" indicates that the foundation in choosing a man is that he be endowed with good character and an upright religion.

Kindness towards his family

And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family." — Reported by at-Tirmidhī, authenticated by al-Albānī

The meaning of this hadith, in relation to our subject, is that the Prophet ﷺ pointed out a quality that must be taken into consideration in a husband: that he be good to his family, with good companionship and good marital conduct. This must be considered in addition to religion and general character.

The wisdom of al-Hassan ibn 'Alī

A man came to al-Hassan ibn 'Alī (may Allah be pleased with him and with his father) and said to him: "I have a daughter; to whom do you advise me to marry her?"

He replied:

"Marry her to one who fears Allah ﷻ, for if he loves her, he will honour her, and if he dislikes her, he will not wrong her."