If there are three women, the first has wealth, the second has beauty, and the third has noble lineage, which one takes precedence?
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The questioner : If these three are presented, which one is more preferable? For example, a woman has wealth, another has noble lineage, and the third has beauty. Which one is more preferable?
The Shaykh : This question opened a door for us that I had forgotten, which is that the scholars say: It is recommended for one who intends to propose to an unknown woman to first ask about her wealth, then her lineage, then her beauty, and then her religion. This is so that the decision to proceed or refrain is based on religion. For example, he asks about her wealth and they say she has a lot of wealth; about her lineage, they say she is of known noble lineage; about her beauty, they say she is beautiful; and about her religion, they say her religion is moderate. He says, "Then I will not marry her; I will pass over her." Therefore, religion is placed last so that it is the decisive factor. If he asks about her wealth and they say her wealth is little, her lineage is moderate, her beauty is moderate, and her religion is good, what does he do? He gives her precedence. But the brother, Hidayatullah, says: If the first three purposes conflict—a woman of noble lineage, a wealthy woman, and a beautiful woman—which one do we give precedence to?
The student: The one with wealth.
The Shaykh : It appears that it is according to the person's desire, according to his wish. Yes, he may want to choose the one with wealth, or the one of noble lineage, or the beautiful one. Yes.
The questioner : Do we take from the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan al-Bayhaqi 10:870, the permissibility of plural marriage, meaning that a man marries more than one woman?
The Shaykh : This question opened a door for us that I had forgotten, which is that the scholars say: It is recommended for one who intends to propose to an unknown woman to first ask about her wealth, then her lineage, then her beauty, and then her religion. This is so that the decision to proceed or refrain is based on religion. For example, he asks about her wealth and they say she has a lot of wealth; about her lineage, they say she is of known noble lineage; about her beauty, they say she is beautiful; and about her religion, they say her religion is moderate. He says, "Then I will not marry her; I will pass over her." Therefore, religion is placed last so that it is the decisive factor. If he asks about her wealth and they say her wealth is little, her lineage is moderate, her beauty is moderate, and her religion is good, what does he do? He gives her precedence. But the brother, Hidayatullah, says: If the first three purposes conflict—a woman of noble lineage, a wealthy woman, and a beautiful woman—which one do we give precedence to?
The student: The one with wealth.
The Shaykh : It appears that it is according to the person's desire, according to his wish. Yes, he may want to choose the one with wealth, or the one of noble lineage, or the beautiful one. Yes.
The questioner : Do we take from the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):