Islam and Marriage

Islam commands its followers to marry as early as they are able. Muslims should not fear poverty nor should they apprehend increase of family members as result of marriage, and thus, because of that, they stay away from marriage. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:32):“ Marry those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among your slaves, male or female: if they are in poverty, Allah will give them means out of His Grace: for Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things”.Moreover, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) takes it upon Himself to help three types of people. These are: A warrior, who is striving in the cause of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). A contracted slave, who wants to pay off the value set for his freedom of slavery, and, a person, who seeks marriage to chastise himself” [10].If a male Muslim can’t afford to marry because of poverty, he is commanded to chastise himself. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:33):“ Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His Grace”.Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gives advice that makes it easier to a certain extent for a person, who is unable to marry for dearth of marriage expenses. This advice harnesses his desire to marry and enables him to control his sexual desires. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Oh young men! Whoever is capable [financially and otherwise] to [afford the expenses] of marriage, let him do so. [Marriage] helps one control his eyesight and chastise his private parts. But, he who can’t afford the marriage expenses, let him observe fast as it would [act] as a protector for him” [11].The Glorious Quran further illustrated the best example of subduing the sexual drive in the story of Prophet Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [Joseph]. Prophet’s Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) story is set as one of the best examples for the Muslim youth. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states in Quran Sura Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (12:23-24):“ But she in whose house he was, sought to seduce him from his [true] self: she fastened the doors, and said: Now come, thou [dear one]! he said: Allah forbid! Truly [thy husband] is my lord! He made my sojourn agreeable! Truly to no good come those who do wrong! And [with passion] did she desire him, and he would have rejected her, but that he saw the evidence of his Lord: thus [did We order] that We might turn away from him [all] evil and shameful deeds: for he was one of Our servants, sincere and purified”.Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) overlooked the adverse results stemming from his denial to the request of the prestigious lady. The result of rejecting her request for evil acts was imprisonment. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states in Quran Sura Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (12:32-34):“ She said: There before you is the man about whom ye did blame me! I did seek to seduce him from his [true] self but he did firmly save himself guiltless! And now, if he doth not my bidding, he shall certainly be cast into prison and [what is more] be of the company of the vilest! He said: O my Lord! The prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: unless Thou turn away their snare from me, I should [in my youthful folly] feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant. So his Lord hearkened to him [in his prayer], and turned away from him their snare: verily He heareth and knoweth [all things]”. [1] Amad and Nasai report this Hadith.[2] Trimithi reported this Hadith.[3] Ahmad reported this Hadith.[4] Al-Baihaqi reported this Hadith.[5] Al-Kholi, al-Bahi, ‘Woman Between Home and Society’.[6] Ahmad reported this Hadith.[7] Tabarani reported this Hadith.[8] Bukhari and Muslim reported this Hadith.[9] The Islamic Education Curriculum, Dar-al-Shuruq, Vol.2, P.218-9.[10] Tirmithi reported this Hadith.[11] Bukhari and Muslim reported this Hadith.