What characteristics should one prioritize when selecting a spouse for marriage?

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It is obligatory to choose a woman possessing strong religious commitment (*dīn*). The Prophet, peace be upon him, stated: 'A woman is married for her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion; so choose the one with religion, and may your hands prosper.' This is agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim. Furthermore, preferring a virgin (*bikr*) is recommended based on the Prophet's statement to Jabir: 'Why not a virgin so you could play with her and she with you?' This is also agreed upon. Atta narrated that the Prophet commanded the selection of virgins because 'their mouths are purer and their wombs are cleaner.' Ahmad narrated this, and another narration adds: 'and their wombs are purer and they are more content with little.' It is also desirable that the chosen woman is known for bearing many children, as the Prophet commanded marriage and strongly forbade celibacy, stating: 'Marry the loving and the fertile, for I will boast of your numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.' Ma'qil ibn Yasar narrated that the Prophet rejected a man who sought to marry a woman of status who was infertile, commanding again: 'Marry the loving and the fertile, for I will boast of your numbers.' Ali ibn al-Husayn narrated that the Prophet instructed the Banu Hashim to marry women from foreign non-Arab women (*A'jam*) because 'there is blessing in their wombs.' Beauty is also to be sought because it provides tranquility for the husband, lowers his gaze, and completes his affection, which necessitates the permissibility of viewing the prospective spouse before marriage. The Prophet stated, 'Indeed, women are but playthings; so if one of you takes a plaything, let him choose the best one.'