Takhrij Hadith 309: "An-Nu‘man ibn Abi al-Jawn al-Kindi…"

An-Nu‘man ibn Abi al-Jawn al-Kindi arrived [in Madinah]. He and his father’s kinsmen used to reside in the Najd region, bordering al-Sharabbah. He came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as a Muslim. He said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I not marry you to the most beautiful unmarried woman among the Arabs? She was married to a cousin of hers, but he died, leaving her widowed. She desires to marry you and is favorably inclined toward you.” So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ married her for a dowry of twelve uqiyyahs and a nashsh. Al-Nuʿmān said: “O Messenger of Allah, do not be sparing with her dowry.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: “I have never given any of my wives a dowry greater than this, nor have I given any of my daughters a dowry greater than this.”Al-Nuʿman said: “Then in you there is an example to follow.” He then said: “Send someone to your wife to bring her to you. I shall accompany your messenger and send your wife with him.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent Abu Usayd al-Sa'idi with him. When they arrived, she remained in her house and permitted him to enter. Abu Usayd said: “The wives of the Messenger of Allah are not seen by men.” He added that this was after the revelation of the command of hijab. She then sent word to him, asking him to explain her situation. He told her: “A curtain should be between you and any man you speak to, except one who is your mahram (close male relative whom you may not marry).” So she did that. Abu Usayd said: “I stayed there for three days. Then I set out with her. She rode in a howdah upon a camel, traveling as a lady in a litter, and I brought her until we reached Madinah. I lodged her among the clan of Banu Sa'idah. The women of the neighborhood came to welcome her and make her feel at ease. When they left, they spoke of her beauty, and news of her arrival spread throughout Madinah.” Abu Usayd continued: “I sent word to the Prophet ﷺ, who was among the people of Banu ʿAmr ibn ʿAwf, and informed him. Some women entered upon her and attended to her because of what they had heard of her beauty, for she was among the most beautiful of women. One of them said: ‘You come from a family of kings. If you wish to gain special favor with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, then when he comes to you, seek refuge from him in Allah. By doing so you will gain distinction in his sight and he will desire you even more.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then came on foot until he reached her. He sat upon his knees and leaned toward her to kiss her. This was his custom when he was presented with a new bride. She said: ‘I seek refuge in Allah from you.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ immediately withdrew and said: ‘You have sought refuge with One who grants protection.’ Then he rose from her and instructed me to return her to her people. So I took her back to her family.”