❀ Neglecting Marriage for the Pursuit of Knowledge: A Shari‘ah Perspective ❀
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” which is based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
What is the ruling in Shari‘ah concerning a woman who says: “If marriage were not Allah’s Sunnah for His servants, I would not marry at all. Rather, I would withdraw from the world completely and devote myself entirely to acquiring Islamic knowledge”?
In the case described, the pursuit of knowledge is not an obligation upon the woman, unless she fears falling into fitnah (temptation or trial) without having complete knowledge. However, marriage is a highly recommended and praiseworthy act.
It is recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim that ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) narrated the following statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
«يا معشر الشباب من استطاع منكم الباءة فليتزوج، فإنه أغض للبصر، وأحصن للفرج، ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم فإنه له وجاء»
“O young men! Whoever among you has the means to get married, let him do so. For indeed, it helps him lower his gaze and guard his chastity. And whoever is not able to, then let him fast, for that will be a shield for him.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth 4779 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth 1400]
Hence, we advise this woman to pursue marriage, especially to a pious man who will support her religious aspirations and assist her in remaining steadfast in her faith.
«وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ» — And Allah is the One from Whom help is sought.
(Maqbil ibn Hādī al-Wādiʿī رحمه الله)
This fatwa is derived from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women,” which is based on the rulings of the scholars of the Ḥaramayn and translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling in Shari‘ah concerning a woman who says: “If marriage were not Allah’s Sunnah for His servants, I would not marry at all. Rather, I would withdraw from the world completely and devote myself entirely to acquiring Islamic knowledge”?
❖ Answer:
In the case described, the pursuit of knowledge is not an obligation upon the woman, unless she fears falling into fitnah (temptation or trial) without having complete knowledge. However, marriage is a highly recommended and praiseworthy act.
It is recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim that ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) narrated the following statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
«يا معشر الشباب من استطاع منكم الباءة فليتزوج، فإنه أغض للبصر، وأحصن للفرج، ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم فإنه له وجاء»
“O young men! Whoever among you has the means to get married, let him do so. For indeed, it helps him lower his gaze and guard his chastity. And whoever is not able to, then let him fast, for that will be a shield for him.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth 4779 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth 1400]
Hence, we advise this woman to pursue marriage, especially to a pious man who will support her religious aspirations and assist her in remaining steadfast in her faith.
«وَاللّٰهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ» — And Allah is the One from Whom help is sought.
(Maqbil ibn Hādī al-Wādiʿī رحمه الله)
