A hadith was mentioned in the course of a fatwa from you: “Do not force women, but ask them for their consent.” Where is this hadith found?

The questioner : We mentioned it. I called our brother a few months ago, and he gave me the full text of the hadith.

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: In the context of a fatwa for you in the magazine, I searched, my Shaykh, for the hadith. Of course, Shaykh Ahmad al-Salik is the one who initially asked about the hadith. He said, "I do not know this hadith." I said, "By Allah, we will review it and ask our Shaykh." Do you remember, my Shaykh, where you found it or where it is located?

The Shaykh : First, since this is a question from a student, it is possible that the answer is in meaning, and it is not necessary for it to be... in meaning, it is not necessary for it to be in this exact wording. And without a doubt, any questioner is concerned with the meaning, not the wording. This is my opinion regarding Professor Abu Munir; is that not so?

The questioner : By Allah, I did not understand at the end when you said, “This is my opinion regarding Professor Abu Munir”; I did not understand the connection.

The Shaykh : I am saying that since this is a question from a student, as is the case, we answer with what comes to mind in terms of the meanings of the hadiths in many cases, and not with their exact wordings. So I said now that our brother, Shaykh Ahmad, is not concerned with the wording; he is concerned with the meaning.

The questioner : That is correct.

The Shaykh : All right, as for the meaning, we will see. We are reviewing it now.

The questioner : Yes, may Allah bless you.

The Shaykh : And we will give the answer.

The questioner : That is what is required.