‘Alqama quoted Ibn Mas'ud as saying he was asked about a man who had married a woman without fixing any settlement on her or cohabiting with her till he died. Ibn Mas'ud said she should receive the type of dower given to women of her class with so diminution or excess, observe the ‘idda period and have her share of the inheritance. Ma'qil b. Sinan al-Ashja‘i then got up and said, "God’s Messenger gave a decision regarding Birwa’ daughter of Washiq, a woman of our tribe, to the same effect as the decision you have given; and Ibn Mas'ud was pleased about the decision. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Darimi transmitted it.

Umm Habiba said she was married to ‘Abdallah b. Jahsh who died in Abyssinia, so the Negus married her to the Prophet, giving her on his behalf a dower of four thousand. (A version has four thousand dirhams.) He sent her to God’s Messenger with Shurahbil b. Hasana. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Anas said that Abu Talha married Umm Sulaim, the dower between them being acceptance of Islam. Umm Sulaim had become a Muslim before Abu Talha, and when he asked her in marriage she said, "I have become a Muslim, so if you become one I shall marry you.” He then accepted Islam and that was the dower arranged between them. Nasa’i transmitted it.

Anas said the Prophet saw the trace of yellow on ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf and asked what that was. He replied, “I have married a woman for a nawat* weight of gold.” He said, “God bless you! Hold a wedding- feast, even if only with a sheep.” *a weight of five dirhams. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that God's Messenger did not hold such a wedding-feast for any of his wives as he did for Zainab. He held a wedding-feast with a sheep. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He said that God’s Messenger held a wedding-feast when he took up cohabitation with Zainab daughter of Jahsh and gave the people their fill of bread and meat. Bukhari transmitted it.

He said that God’s Messenger set Safiya free and married her, making her freedom her dower, and he held a wedding-feast for her with hais (A dish made of dates mixed with clarified butter and dried curd, kneaded and rubbed together. Sometimes flour was added.) (Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Prophet stayed three nights between Khaibar and Medina when he took up cohabitation with Safiya, and I called the Muslims to his wedding-feast which included no bread or meat. He just ordered some cloths to be spread, and dates, dried curd and clarified butter were thrown on them. Bukhari transmitted it.

Safiya daughter of Shaiba said the Prophet held a wedding-feast for one of his wives with two muds of barley. Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you is invited to a wedding-feast he must attend it.” In a version by Muslim he said, “He must accept, whether it is a wedding-feast or something of that nature.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you is invited to a meal he must accept. If he wishes he may eat, but if he wishes he may leave the food alone.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The worst kind of food is that at a wedding-feast to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out. If anyone rejects an invitation he has disobeyed God and His Messenger.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

One of the Ansar whose kunya was Abu Shu'aib had a servant who sold meat. He said, “Prepare for me food which will be enough for five; perhaps I shall invite the Prophet along with other four.” He prepared a small meal for him, and then he went and invited him. A man followed them, and the Prophet said, “A man has followed us, Abu Shu'aib, so if you wish you may let him join us, but if you wish you may leave him outside.” He replied, “No, I shall let him join us.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said the Prophet held a wedding-feast for Safiya with meal and dates. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Safina told that 'Ali b. Abu Talib prepared food for a man who was his guest, and Fatima said, "I wish we had invited God’s Messenger and he had eaten with us.” They invited him and when he came he put his hands on the side-posts of the door, but when he saw the figured curtain which had been put at the end of the house he went away. Fatima said she followed him and asked, “What turned you back, Messenger of God?” He replied, “It is not fitting for me or for any prophet to enter a house which is decorated.” Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. 'Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who does not accept an invitation which he receives has disobeyed God and His Messenger, and he who enters without an invitation enters as a thief and goes out as a raider.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

A companion of God’s Messenger reported him as saying, “When two people come together to issue an invitation accept that of the one who lives nearer you, but if one of them comes before the other accept the invitation of the one who comes first.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The food on the first day is a duty, that on the second is a sunna, but that on the third day is to make men hear of it; and if anyone makes men hear of what he does God will make him heard of” (i.e. will publish his hypocrisy on the day of resurrection). Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Ikrima, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas, said the Prophet forbade that the food of two people who were rivalling one another should be eaten. Abu Dawud transmitted it. Muhyi as-Sunna said the sound version is that it comes from ‘Ikrima from the Prophet in mursal form.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “The invitations of two people who are rivalling one another should not be accepted, and the food they provide should not be eaten.” The imam Ahmad said it means two people who are competing with one another in providing a feast out of self-glory and ostentation. Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman

‘Imran b. Husain said God’s Messenger forbade accepting invitations to food provided by profligates. Baihaqi transmitted in Shu'ab al-iman

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “When one of you visits his brother Muslim he should eat of his food without asking questions and drink from what he provides without asking questions.” Baihaqi transmitted the three traditions in Shu'ab al-iman, saying that if [the last one] is sound, it is because a Muslim would obviously give him only food and drink which were lawful in his opinion.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that when God’s Messenger died he left nine wives, eight of whom he used to visit equally. (The next tradition explains this) (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha told that when Sauda became old she said, “Messenger of God, I appoint to ‘A'isha the day you visit me” (Cf. the last tradition in this chapter). So God’s Messenger allotted two days to ‘A’isha, hers and Sauda’s. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She said that during the illness of which God’s Messenger died he was asking, “Where do I go tomorrow? Where do I go tomorrow?” That was on ‘A’isha’s day. His wives therefore permitted him to go where he wished, and he stayed in ‘A’isha’s house till he died there. Bukhari transmitted it.

She said that when God’s Messenger intended to go on a journey he cast lots among his wives and the one who was chosen by lot went on it with him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

It pertains to the sunna that when a man who has a wife marries a virgin he should stay with her for seven nights and then divide the time between them, but if he marries a woman who has been previously married he should stay with her three nights and then divide his time between his wives. Abu (Qilaba remarked that if he wished he could say that Anas traced it to the Prophet. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Bakr b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman told that when God’s Messenger married Umm Salama he said to her in the morning, “You are not being humbled in my estimation. If you wish I shall stay with you seven nights as I did with my other wives, but if you wish I shall stay three and then visit my wives in turn.” She replied, “Stay three nights.” In a version he said, “The virgin gets seven nights and the woman who has had a previous husband three.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that the Prophet used to divide his time among his wives equally and say, “O God, this is my division concerning what I possess, so do not blame me concerning what Thou possessest and I do not.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “When a man has two wives and does not treat them equally he will come on the day of resurrection with a side hanging down.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Ata’ told that when they were with Ibn ‘Abbas at Maimuna’s funeral in Sarif he said, “This is God’s Messenger’s wife, so when you lift her bier do not shake her or disturb her, but be gentle with her, for God’s Messenger had nine wives with eight of whom he shared his time, but to one of them he did not allot a share.” ‘Ata’ said they heard that the one to whom God’s Messenger did not allot a share was Safiya who was the last of them to die. She died in Medina. Razin said that someone other than ‘Ata’ declared she was Sauda, and that is sounder. She gave her day to ‘A’isha when God's Messenger intended to divorce her, saying to him, “Keep me. I have given my day to ‘A’isha. Perhaps I may be one of your wives in paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “Act kindly toward women, for they were created from a rib and the most crooked part of a rib is its top. If you attempt to straighten it you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly towards women.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Woman has been created from a rib and will in no way be straight for you; so if you enjoy her you will do so while crookedness remains in her; but if you attempt to straighten her you will break her, breaking her being divorcing her.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A believer must not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Had it not been for the B. Isra’il meat would not have gone bad, and had it not been for Eve a woman would never have acted unfaithfully towards her husband.’’ (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. Zam'a reported God’s Messenger as saying, “None of you must whip his wife as a slave is whipped and then have intercourse with her at the end of the day.” A version has, “One of you has recourse to whipping his wife as a slave is whipped and perhaps he lies with her at the end of the day.” He then gave them an exhortation about laughing when someone breaks wind, saying, “Why does one of you laugh at what he does himself?” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was playing with dolls in the Prophet’s house and I had companions who played with me; but when God’s Messenger entered they would withdraw from him. He would then send them to me and they would play with me. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I swear by God that I have seen the Prophet standing at the door of my room when the Abyssinians were playing with spears in the mosque and God’s Messenger was covering me with his cloak in order that I might look over his shoulder* at their sport. He would then stand for my sake till I was the one who departed; so estimate the time a young girl eager for amusement would wait.” * Literally “between his ear and his shoulder.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She told that God’s Messenger said to her, “I know when you are pleased with me and when you are angry with me.” She asked how he knew that and he replied that when she was pleased with him she said, ‘'No, by Muhammad’s Lord,” but when she was angry with him she said, “No, by Abraham's Lord.” She then said, “I swear by God, Messenger of God, that that is so; it is only your name that I omit.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “When a woman who has been called to come to her husband’s bed refuses and he spends the night angry, the angels curse her till the morning.” In a version by both of them he said, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, if any woman who has been called to come to her husband’s bed refuses, He who is in heaven is displeased with her till her t husband is pleased with her.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Asma’ told of a woman who said, “Messenger of God, I have a fellow-wife; will it be wrong for me to boast of receiving from my husband what he does not give me?” He replied, “The one who boasts of receiving what he has not been given is like him who has put on the two garments of falsehood.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said that God’s Messenger swore he would stay away from his wives for a month. His foot being dislocated, he stayed in an upper room for twenty-nine nights and then came down; and when it was remarked to him that he has sworn to stay away for a month, he replied, “The month has twenty-nine days.”* *This is most probably with reference to the month in question, as it cannot be considered a general statement. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Bakr came and asked permission to go in to see the Prophet, but found the people seated at his door, none of them having been given permission. Permission was, however, given to Abu Bakr and he entered. ‘Umar then came forward, and when he had asked and had been granted permission he found the Prophet sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He told that he decided to say something which would make the Prophet laugh, so he said, “Messenger of God, I wish you had seen the daughter of Kharija when she asked me for extra money and I got up and slapped her on the neck.” God's Messenger laughed and said, “They are around me as you see asking for extra money.” Abu Bakr then got up, went to ‘A’isha and slapped her on the neck, and ‘Umar did the same to Hafsa, both of them saying, “Are you asking God’s Messenger for what he does not possess?” They all replied, “We swear by God that we never ask God’s Messenger for anything he does not possess.” Thereafter he withdrew from them for a month or twenty-nine days. Then this verse came down, “O prophet, say to your wives ... for those who do well among you a great reward” (Al-Qur’an 33:28 f). He then went first to ‘A’isha and said, “I want to propound something to you, ‘A’isha, but wish no hasty reply before you consult your parents.” When she had asked him what it was and he had recited the verse to her she said, “Shall I consult my parents about you, Messenger of God? Nay, I choose God, His Messenger, and the final abode; but I ask you not to tell any of your wives what I have said.” He replied, “Not one of them will ask me without my informing her. God did not send me to be harsh or cause harm, but sent me to teach and make things easy.” Muslim transmitted it.

Being jealous of the women who offered themselves to God's Messenger I asked, “Does a woman offer herself?” Then when God most high sent down, “You may defer any of them you wish and take to yourself any you wish, and if you desire any you have set aside no sin is chargeable to you” (Al-Qur’an 33:51) said, “It seems to me that your Lord hastens to satisfy your desire.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

'A'isha told that when she was with God's Messenger on a journey she raced him on foot and beat him, but when she grew she raced him and he beat her. He said, “This makes up for that beating." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

She reported God's Messenger as saying, “The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family. When one of you dies speak no ill of him." Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it up to “to my family” on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a woman observes the five times of prayer, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of paradise she wishes.”* * A way of saying nothing will prevent her from entering paradise. Abu Nu'aim transmitted it in al-Hilya.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would order a woman to prostrate herself before her husband." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Any woman who dies when her husband is pleased with her will enter paradise." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Talq b. ‘Ali reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire she must go to him even if she is occupied at the oven.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.