The following are some of the sayings of Muḥammad on the subject of marriage (see Mishkātu ʾl-Masābīḥ, book xiii.):—
“The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed.”
“The worst of feasts are marriage feasts, to which the rich are invited and the poor left out, and he who abandons the acceptation of an invitation, then verily disobeys God and His Prophet.”
“Matrimonial alliances (between two families or tribes) increase friendship more than anything else.”
“Marry women who will love their husbands and be very prolific, for I wish you to be more numerous than any other people.”
“When anyone demands your daughter in marriage, and you are pleased with his disposition and his faith, then give her to him; for if you do not so, then there will be strife and contention in the world.”
“A woman may be married either for her money, her reputation, her beauty, or her religion; then look out for a religious woman, for if you do marry other than a religious woman, may your hands be rubbed with dirt.”
“All young men who have arrived at the age of puberty should marry, for marriage prevents sins. He who cannot marry should fast.”
“When a Muslim marries he perfects half his religion, and he should practise abstinence for the remaining half.”
“Beware! make not large settlements upon women; because, if great settlements were a cause of greatness in the world and of righteousness before God, surely it would be most proper for the Prophet of God to make them.”