A person came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I have found a woman who is of good lineage and beautiful, but she cannot have children, Should I marry her?” He answered: “No.” Then he came to him a second time, but he forbade. Then he came to him thrice whereupon he said: “Marry the one who is loving and fertile for I will be proud of your large numbers before the nations on the Day of Qiyamah.”
Answer
Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Ma’qil ibn Yasar (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared the Hadith authentic.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2043, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 4056-4057)
This Hadith should be understood as one that encourages marriage to a loving and child bearing woman. Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah) cited it under the ‘Chapter of marrying child bearing women’
‘Allamah Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri (rahimahullah) has stated [we understand from the wording] that this Hadith does not imply that marrying a barren woman is makruh tahrimi.
(Badhlul Majhud, Hadith: 2050).
Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further clarification.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar