Not a Close Relative

[QUALITIES CONDUCIVE TO A HAPPY CONJUGAL LIFE]

Not a close relative.

The eighth quality is that she should not be a close relative, as that would lessen desire. The Prophet* said, “Don't marry close relatives for then the child is born scrawny”;⁵⁹ that is to say, weak; such is the weakening effect it [marrying close rela­tives] has on desire. For desire is excited by the deep emotions which result from sight and touch; emotions are strengthened by whatever is unfamiliar and new. On the other hand, what is familiar and seen continuously renders the faculties incapable of fully appreciating it [desire], being affected by it, or becoming aroused through it. These are the qualities desired in women.