Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 16652 — Marriage: those who enjoined it

Alqamah said: I was walking with Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Mina. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Believers, Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), met him, and he stood with him talking. Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "O Abu Abd al-Rahman! Shall I not marry you to a young girl? Perhaps she will bring back something of your past." Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "If you say that, then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to us: 'O young men! Whoever among you is able to afford marriage and what it entails should marry, for marriage is most effective in lowering the gaze. And whoever is not able to marry should fast, for fasting will be a restraint (on desire) for him.'"