Let not a believing man hate a believing woman. If he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another
Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Let not a believing man hate a believing woman. If he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another." Or he said: "another one."- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by Muslim
- Source entry
- HadeethEnc · 3071 ↗
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي لله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا يَفْرَكْ مُؤْمِنٌ مُؤْمِنَةً، إِنْ كَرِهَ مِنْهَا خُلُقًا رَضِيَ مِنْهَا آخَرَ» أَوْ قَالَ: «غَيْرَهُ».Understand this hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade a husband from hating his wife in such a way that would lead him to wrong her, abandon her, and turn away from her. Deficiency is part of man's nature, so, if he dislikes a bad characteristic in her, he will find another good one. He will, thus, be pleased with what he approves of and will patiently endure what he disapproves of the bad characteristics. This will help him remain patient without hating her in such a way that leads him to part with her.
Lessons from the hadith
- Calling the believer to be fair and refer to reason whenever a dispute arises with his wife without resorting to emotions and temporary feelings.
- A believer does not entirely hate a female believer in such a way that drives him to leave her; rather, he should overlook what he hates for what he loves.
- Encouraging kindness and good companionship between spouses.
- Faith calls to noble morals. Thus, no believing man or woman is free of good morals, as faith requires the existence of praiseworthy qualities in both of them.
References (original Arabic)
صحيح مسلم (2/ 1091) (1469). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 359). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (3/ 122). فتح رب البرية بتلخيص الحموية، لابن عثيمين (ص117). مجموع فتاوى ابن باز (25/ 246). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 282).