Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
There has become a common practice where a girl or her father rejects a marriage proposal from the groom's side with the excuse that the girl needs to complete her secondary or university education, or she needs a few more years of schooling. As a result, some girls reach the age of thirty or even beyond before considering marriage. What is the Shariah ruling on this? What would you advise in such cases?
Answer:
Our advice to all young men and women is that they should marry as soon as the means for marriage are available. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty, and whoever is not able to marry should fast, as fasting diminishes sexual power."
[Agreed upon, Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"When someone with whose religion and character you are pleased comes to you with a proposal of marriage, then marry him. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (tribulation) in the land and widespread corruption."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, classified as Hasan]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will boast of your numbers before the other nations on the Day of Judgment."
[Musnad Ahmad and Sahih Ibn Hibban]
There are numerous benefits to marrying early, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) has informed us. For example, marriage helps one lower their gaze, preserve their dignity and chastity, and contributes to the increase of the Muslim Ummah. It also serves as a safeguard from the many evils and negative consequences that arise from delaying marriage.
Thus, marriage should not be delayed unnecessarily for the sake of pursuing extended education or other worldly concerns, especially if the means for marriage are available. May Allah grant all Muslims the ability to achieve what is beneficial for their religious and worldly affairs.
Indeed, He is All-Hearing and Responsive.
Question:
There has become a common practice where a girl or her father rejects a marriage proposal from the groom's side with the excuse that the girl needs to complete her secondary or university education, or she needs a few more years of schooling. As a result, some girls reach the age of thirty or even beyond before considering marriage. What is the Shariah ruling on this? What would you advise in such cases?
Answer:
Our advice to all young men and women is that they should marry as soon as the means for marriage are available. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty, and whoever is not able to marry should fast, as fasting diminishes sexual power."
[Agreed upon, Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"When someone with whose religion and character you are pleased comes to you with a proposal of marriage, then marry him. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (tribulation) in the land and widespread corruption."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, classified as Hasan]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Marry women who are loving and fertile, for I will boast of your numbers before the other nations on the Day of Judgment."
[Musnad Ahmad and Sahih Ibn Hibban]
There are numerous benefits to marrying early, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) has informed us. For example, marriage helps one lower their gaze, preserve their dignity and chastity, and contributes to the increase of the Muslim Ummah. It also serves as a safeguard from the many evils and negative consequences that arise from delaying marriage.
Thus, marriage should not be delayed unnecessarily for the sake of pursuing extended education or other worldly concerns, especially if the means for marriage are available. May Allah grant all Muslims the ability to achieve what is beneficial for their religious and worldly affairs.
Indeed, He is All-Hearing and Responsive.
