Question: A common custom among the people nowadays is for a woman or her father
to refuse a man's proposal so that she may finish high school, college or some
specific amount of studying. What is the ruling concerning that? What is your
advice for those who fall into that trap?
Sometimes, the woman reaches the age of thirty or more and she has yet to get
married!
Response: My advice to all young men and young women is to get married quickly
if the means to it are made possible for you. This is because the Prophet
(peace be upon him) has said,
"O youthful people, if any of you have the means to, he should get married,
as it lowers the eyesight and protects the private parts. Those who have not
the ability to do so should fast, as it will be a shield for him."
This was recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim. The Prophet (peace be upon him)
also said,
"If one whose religion and character pleases you proposes to you, you should
marry him. If you do not do so, them will be tribulations in the land and great
evil."
This was recorded by al-Tirmidhi with a hasan chain. The Prophet (peace be
upon him) also said,
"Marry the child-bearing, loving woman for I shall outnumber the peoples by
you on the Day of Resurrection."
This was recorded by Ahmad and graded sahih by ibn Hibban. Therefore, there are
many benefits to marriage which the Prophet (peace be upon him) alluded to,
including lowering the gaze, protecting the private parts, increasing the numbers
of the Muslim Nation and being saved from great evil and misfortune.
May Allah grant to all what is best for their religion and worldly lives.
He is All-Hearing, Close.
