Marriage and observing that which is apparent - Shaykh Uthaymeen.
While
explaining the hadeeth of Fatimah bint Qaes (may Allah be pleased with
her); in which she approached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) and informed him that individuals have approached her for marriage,
upon hearing the names of these individuals the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) replied:
If it were said: How can the Prophe (peace and blessings be upon him) say: “As for Mu’awiyah, he is poor”, while he (the Prophet) doesn’t know?
It’s possible he (Mu’awiyah) will become wealthy (in the future). And actually, this did take place. Mu’awiyah became a ruler; in fact he became one of the wealthiest rulers.
Thus, we say: From this hadeeth a vital benefit can be derived, which is: That which should be considered is what is apparent, not what will possibly occur in the future.
Pay close attention to this principle. An individual is not commissioned to (consider) matters of the unseen, but rather, he is responsible for that which is in front of him.
Consequently, we know the answer for a commonly mentioned question (issue). This occurs when a man who is not practicing seeks to marry a practicing female. The female would like to marry him and thus she says: It’s possible that Allah will guide this man by way of me.
This action (him changing) may or may not occur in the future. She does not know, but that which is presently apparent is that this individual is not practicing. If the female was to say: It is possible that Allah will guide him by way of me, we will respond: It is (also) possible that Allah will lead you astray by way of him!
Both of these outcomes are possible, and you (the female) being led astray by way of the man is more likely, due to the fact that the authority and influence of the man over the woman is much greater than her authority and influence over him.
Likewise, how many men put pressure on their wives to perform something that the husband wants, and due to his pressure, the female falls into something she herself dislikes. This is something which is known and proven.
The most important benefit in this issue is that a person is responsible for that which is apparent, not that which will may or may not occur in the future.
Source: Fathul Thee Jalalee wal Ikram bi Sharh Bulough al Maram, Vol. 11, Page 201
As for Abu Jahil, he does not remove the stick from his shoulder (he beats women), and as for Mu’awiyah, he is poor. Instead, marry Usamah. (Saheeh Muslim)Sheikh ‘Uthaymeen commented (in summary):
If it were said: How can the Prophe (peace and blessings be upon him) say: “As for Mu’awiyah, he is poor”, while he (the Prophet) doesn’t know?
It’s possible he (Mu’awiyah) will become wealthy (in the future). And actually, this did take place. Mu’awiyah became a ruler; in fact he became one of the wealthiest rulers.
Thus, we say: From this hadeeth a vital benefit can be derived, which is: That which should be considered is what is apparent, not what will possibly occur in the future.
Pay close attention to this principle. An individual is not commissioned to (consider) matters of the unseen, but rather, he is responsible for that which is in front of him.
Consequently, we know the answer for a commonly mentioned question (issue). This occurs when a man who is not practicing seeks to marry a practicing female. The female would like to marry him and thus she says: It’s possible that Allah will guide this man by way of me.
This action (him changing) may or may not occur in the future. She does not know, but that which is presently apparent is that this individual is not practicing. If the female was to say: It is possible that Allah will guide him by way of me, we will respond: It is (also) possible that Allah will lead you astray by way of him!
Both of these outcomes are possible, and you (the female) being led astray by way of the man is more likely, due to the fact that the authority and influence of the man over the woman is much greater than her authority and influence over him.
Likewise, how many men put pressure on their wives to perform something that the husband wants, and due to his pressure, the female falls into something she herself dislikes. This is something which is known and proven.
The most important benefit in this issue is that a person is responsible for that which is apparent, not that which will may or may not occur in the future.
Source: Fathul Thee Jalalee wal Ikram bi Sharh Bulough al Maram, Vol. 11, Page 201