Islamic Character

A marriage without invitations When Abd ar-Rahman ibn Auf emigrated to Madinah, the Prophet made him the brother of Saad ibn Rabi Ansari. Saad confided to Abd ar-Rahman that he was the richest man in Madinah: “You can see what I have and take half of it for yourself. I have two wives; whichever of the two you like, I will divorce and you can marry her.” Abd ar-Rahman replied by praying for God’s blessings on Saad ibn Rabi’s family and property, and then asked to be shown the way to the market place. ‘There he began trading and made a considerable sum of money. A few days later, Abd ar-Rahman ibn Auf came to see the Prophet. Noticing a trace of saffron on his clothes, the Prophet asked him in Yemenese dialect how it came to be there. “I have married,” replied Abd ar-Rahman ibn Auf. “What dowry did you settle?” asked the Prophet, to which Abd ar-Rahman replied, “The weight of a date’s kernel in gold.” The Prophet then told him to hold a marriage feast, even if it were with just one goat. (AHMAD, MUSNAD)