Hadith ~ A woman is married for four things

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Commentary:
Mentioned in this Hadith are the various reasons why we choose our wife. Another Hadith tells us that he who marries his wife for her money or her family will finally become their slave. Whoever marries ONLY for her beauty will find all his troubles will come from this beauty. But he who chooses his wife for her chastity will be at peace which is the fundamental basis of life. But this does not mean that a woman cannot be chaste and at the same time beautiful and from a good family. Only a pious woman is in the true sense faithful and obedient to her husband who has himself good conduct. Such a couple not only lead a happy life but its future generation is also brought up on the right lines with the help of such a woman, otherwise you risk spoiling the future generations. For this reason, while selecting a wife, one should give preference to religion over all other qualities.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 45, Page 121, No 364

Commentary ~ We will not listen and we will not obey

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

When Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) was Caliph, the Caliphate received some pieces of cloth from one of the Islamic states. Umar distributed these pieces of cloths evenly; he gave everyone one piece of cloth. One day when Umar stood to give a khutba (lecture), he had two pieces of those cloths on. Umar then spoke and said, “Listen and obey everybody!” Salman Farsi (May Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said, “We will not listen and we will not obey.” Umar bin Khattab asked, “How come?” Salman Farsi said, “Because you have given each one of us, one piece of cloth, and we see that you are wearing two pieces of cloth.” Umar bin Khattab did not respond, but signalled his son Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) to stand up and respond to what Salman is saying. Abdullah bin Umar stood up and said, “My father is a very tall man, very well built, with wide shoulders. One piece of cloth would not be enough for him, so I gave him mine.” Salman Farsi said, “Now we will listen and obey.” This was the standard of justice that the companions of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) had. The leadership was held to account and the people would not accept any injustice from their leaders. They knew that on the Day of Judgement, being a follower of a corrupt leadership will not be an excuse. Allah Alim.

And, when they will dispute in the Fire, the weak will say to those who were arrogant; “Verily! We followed you, can you then take from us some portion of the Fire?” Those who were arrogant will say: “We are all (together) in this (Fire)! Verily Allâh has judged between (His) slaves!” (Koran 40.47-48)

Source: Did not find the exact source of this commentary. Transcribed from an audio lecture and from memory. The exact wording used by the Companions may not be exact. May Allah forgive any errors. Amin.