I was sweeping the courtyard when I overheard the conversation. Two young men—travelers, judging by their dusty sandals—had come to ask our teacher something important. One of them said in a hushed voice, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not have the means to marry.”
I paused mid-sweep.
You won't find my name in any hadith. I was just a servant in the house, cleaning and carrying water. But that day, I heard words that settled deep in my heart and changed my view of marriage forever.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—peace and blessings be upon him—lifted his gaze. His voice was gentle but firm. “O young people,” he said, “whoever among you can marry, should marry. It helps lower the gaze and guards one’s modesty.” That hadith was later collected by the scholars, like Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi. But back then, I just felt like his words were specially meant for us.
In those days, I thought little of marriage. I was poor. I had no land, no wealth, and no plans of getting married. I thought it was for people who had more to offer. But the way the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the travelers made me think—maybe it’s not only about what you have. Maybe it’s about following a path guided by faith.
I remember once, a companion spoke of people who chose not to marry, thinking they could worship better without the responsibilities. The Prophet ﷺ answered with strength: “I marry—and whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.” The word “Sunnah” means the example and way of the Prophet ﷺ. That moment taught me that marriage wasn’t just allowed—it was something beloved in our religion.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I thought about what it truly meant to follow the Messenger ﷺ. He lived simply. He shared what little he had. He loved deeply and treated his wife with mercy and kindness. He didn’t see marriage as an obstacle, but part of worship. Something that pleased Allah.
A few months later, I did what I never thought I could. I asked for the hand of a good, honest woman from our village. I didn’t offer gold or fine clothing—just my commitment and dua, my prayers to Allah.
Her family accepted.
On our wedding day, I stood trembling—not in fear of marriage, but in awe of how Allah had brought me here. From a sweeping servant to a husband, walking a path the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged, guided by trust in Him.
Marriage, I learned, wasn’t just a step in life—it was a step toward Allah.
And I still remember those first words I overheard—plain, strong, clear: “Whoever can marry, should marry.”
I swept the courtyard that day, but it was my heart that was truly cleaned.
—
Story Note:
Inspired by the hadiths recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah #1847 and Jami' at-Tirmidhi #1080, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged marriage and made it clear that following his example includes marrying if one is able.
I was sweeping the courtyard when I overheard the conversation. Two young men—travelers, judging by their dusty sandals—had come to ask our teacher something important. One of them said in a hushed voice, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not have the means to marry.”
I paused mid-sweep.
You won't find my name in any hadith. I was just a servant in the house, cleaning and carrying water. But that day, I heard words that settled deep in my heart and changed my view of marriage forever.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—peace and blessings be upon him—lifted his gaze. His voice was gentle but firm. “O young people,” he said, “whoever among you can marry, should marry. It helps lower the gaze and guards one’s modesty.” That hadith was later collected by the scholars, like Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi. But back then, I just felt like his words were specially meant for us.
In those days, I thought little of marriage. I was poor. I had no land, no wealth, and no plans of getting married. I thought it was for people who had more to offer. But the way the Prophet ﷺ encouraged the travelers made me think—maybe it’s not only about what you have. Maybe it’s about following a path guided by faith.
I remember once, a companion spoke of people who chose not to marry, thinking they could worship better without the responsibilities. The Prophet ﷺ answered with strength: “I marry—and whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.” The word “Sunnah” means the example and way of the Prophet ﷺ. That moment taught me that marriage wasn’t just allowed—it was something beloved in our religion.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. I thought about what it truly meant to follow the Messenger ﷺ. He lived simply. He shared what little he had. He loved deeply and treated his wife with mercy and kindness. He didn’t see marriage as an obstacle, but part of worship. Something that pleased Allah.
A few months later, I did what I never thought I could. I asked for the hand of a good, honest woman from our village. I didn’t offer gold or fine clothing—just my commitment and dua, my prayers to Allah.
Her family accepted.
On our wedding day, I stood trembling—not in fear of marriage, but in awe of how Allah had brought me here. From a sweeping servant to a husband, walking a path the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged, guided by trust in Him.
Marriage, I learned, wasn’t just a step in life—it was a step toward Allah.
And I still remember those first words I overheard—plain, strong, clear: “Whoever can marry, should marry.”
I swept the courtyard that day, but it was my heart that was truly cleaned.
—
Story Note:
Inspired by the hadiths recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah #1847 and Jami' at-Tirmidhi #1080, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged marriage and made it clear that following his example includes marrying if one is able.
