He used to command baha' (the capacity for marriage) and forbade ascetic celibacy severely. He would say, "Marry the affectionate, the fertile, for I will be boasting of your numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection." Reported by Sa'id (15). Ma'qil ibn Yasar reported that a man came to the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - and said, "I have found a woman of high lineage and status, except that she does not bear children. Shall I marry her?" He forbade him, then he came to him a second time, and he forbade him. Then he came to him a third time, and he said, "Marry the affectionate, the fertile, for I will be boasting of your numbers [before the nations]" (16). Reported by al-Nasa'i (17). From 'Ali ibn al-Husayn, that the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - said, "O Banu Hashim, you should marry the women of the non-Arabs, for seek their children, as there is blessing in their wombs" (18). It is preferred to choose a beautiful one, for she is more soothing to one's soul, more chaste for one's gaze, and more complete in one's affection. For this reason, looking [at the prospective spouse] before marriage was legislated. It has been narrated from Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn Hazm, from the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - that he said, "Women are but playthings, so when one of you takes a plaything, let him choose a good one (19)." From Abu Hurayrah, he said: It was said, "O Messenger of Allah, which women are best?" He said (20): "The one who pleases him when he looks, obeys him when he commands, and does not contradict him regarding herself or her wealth (21) in what he dislikes." Reported by al-Nasa'i (22). From Yahya ibn Ja'dah, that the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him - said, "The best benefit a Muslim man gains after his Islam is a beautiful woman, who pleases him when he looks at her, obeys him when he commands her, and protects him in his absence regarding her wealth (23) and her person." Reported by Sa'id (24).