2a. Marriage, Istikhara & Choosing a Spouse A Question Answered

2a. This principle is well taught to us by Hadhrat Umar رضي الله عنه when once a witnesswent to depose before him. Hadhrat Umar رضي الله عنه said bring to me one who knows you. When he brought aperson to him, the man began to praise his character. Hadhrat Umar رضي الله عنه asked him: Is he your closest neighbour? He said: No. He thenasked him: Were you his companion in a journey? He said: No. Hadhrat Umar رضي الله عنه then asked him: Did you carry on business with him? He said: No. Hadhrat Umarرضي الله عنه finally said: So,you don't know him. He then said to the man: Go, take one who knows you. This clearly shows that a person cannot be thought to bereligious by just seeing his appearance or his apparent act of worship because being religious is far more than that. Hadhrat Umar رضي الله عنه explained that it is necessary tobe a person’s neighbour, to have travelled with him or to have done some business dealings with him in order to really be aware of his true character for these are the affairs and matters that bring out the true colour of a person. This leaves us with one final question, ‘how are we supposed to look for a religiousperson or what do you look forin a spouse to conclude or ascertain that they are from what the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم classed as بذات الدين. Insha Allah this question will beanswered when that topic comes into discussion and further explanation will be given on this matter. May Allah give us all the zeal and eagerness to choose those who are ‘religious’ and may He give us the understanding and knowledge to differentiate between those who are religious in its true sense as apposed to those who appear to be religious. Aameen./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en