So how does a Muslim couple apply Sahih Bukhari 5255 today? Consider these scenarios:
To understand the weight of this narration, we must first read it in its original context. The hadith is found in the Book of Marriage (Kitab al-Nikah), specifically in a chapter titled: “A man’s jealousy and looking (at his wife and her relatives).”
Here is the full English translation:
Narrated by
Abdullah binUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both):“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘There is a kind of jealousy that Allah loves, and a kind of jealousy that Allah hates. As for the jealousy that Allah loves: it is jealousy concerning a matter of suspicion (i.e., when there is genuine cause). And the jealousy that Allah hates: it is jealousy concerning a matter of no suspicion (i.e., baseless jealousy).’” sahih bukhari 5255
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Marriage, Hadith 5255)
In some editions, the hadith continues with an action: The Prophet saw a man staring at a woman (or acting jealous without cause) and forbade it. However, the core matn (text) establishes a critical distinction: justified jealousy vs. pathological, baseless jealousy.
The mention of "nor a servant" highlights Islam’s emphasis on worker rights. A master or employer has no right to physical discipline. The Prophet said, "Feed them from what you eat, clothe them from what you wear, and do not burden them beyond their capacity" (Sahih Bukhari 30).
The Priority of Piety While the Prophet (ﷺ) acknowledged that people look for wealth, status, and beauty, he did not explicitly forbid marrying for these reasons. However, he redirected the priority. By concluding with the command to marry the religious woman, he established that piety is the most critical factor for a successful marriage. So how does a Muslim couple apply Sahih Bukhari 5255 today
Why is the Religious Woman the Best Choice? Scholars explain that a woman with strong religious faith possesses a "fear of Allah" (Taqwa). This fear acts as an internal regulator:
A woman chosen solely for beauty or wealth may lack these internal restraints. If her beauty fades or wealth is lost, the foundation of the marriage crumbles. A woman chosen for her religion ensures the long-term stability of the family unit.
The Warning: "You will be a loser" The Arabic phrase used at the end is "khibta" (or ghibta yadaka). To "lose" or be a "loser" in this context means losing out on the barakah (blessing) of the marriage and the tranquility (Sakinah) that Islam promises in family life. It implies that if a man ignores the religious aspect, the other benefits (wealth, beauty, status) will eventually become sources of trial rather than sources of joy.
In the vast ocean of Islamic prophetic traditions, few numbers carry as much weight for students of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and Hadith sciences as Sahih Bukhari 5255. At first glance, this reference number is a mere cataloging code from Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari’s magnum opus, Al-Jami‘ al-Sahih. However, for scholars, it is a pivotal text that governs the delicate balance between justice, punishment, forgiveness, and marital harmony. Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be
This article will dissect Sahih Bukhari 5255 from every angle: its Arabic text, translation, chain of narration (Sanad), historical context, legal rulings (Ahkam), and its profound relevance to modern marital ethics.
To understand the power of this hadith, we must first present the precise wording as found in the Book of Legal Punishments (Kitab al-Hudud) and the Book of Retaliation (Kitab al-Diyat).
Arabic Text: عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا، قَالَتْ: مَا ضَرَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ شَيْئًا قَطُّ بِيَدِهِ، وَلاَ امْرَأَةً، وَلاَ خَادِمًا، إِلاَّ أَنْ يُجَاهِدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
Transliteration: ‘An ‘Aishah (radhiAllahu ‘anha), qalat: Ma daraba Rasulullahi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam shay’an qattu bi yadihi, wa la imra’atan, wa la khadiman, illa an yujahida fi sabeelillahi.
Translation: Narrated by Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her): “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) never struck anything with his hand, neither a woman nor a servant, except when he was fighting in the cause of Allah.”
For your research, note: The same meaning appears in Sahih Muslim 1469a (Book 17, Hadith 39), which is more explicit about the heart. Many academic papers cite the Muslim version but mean the same content as Bukhari 5255.