عن عبدِ الله بنِ مسعودٍ رضي الله عنه، قال: كُنَّا مع النبيِّ شَبابًا لا نجدُ شيئًا، فقال لنا رسولُ الله ﷺ: «يا معشرَ الشباب، مَن استطاع الباءةَ، فليتزوَّجْ؛ فإنه أغَضُّ للبصر، وأحصَنُ للفَرْجِ، ومَن لم يستطِعْ، فعليه بالصَّوْمِ؛ فإنه له وِجاءٌ»
74 - The importance of marriage
ꜤAbdullāh said:
We were young men with God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and we had nothing. The Prophet said to us: 1. Young people, whoever of you can meet marriage requirements, should get married. For marriage helps to lower one’s gaze and maintain chastity. 2. Whoever cannot, may resort to fasting, and it will be of help. Related by al-
Bukhari, ; Muslim, 1200.
Summary of Meaning
The Prophet (peace be upon him) advises young men to get married, because marriage helps them to lower their gaze at women and helps them to maintain their chastity. The advice to a young man who cannot afford marriage is to fast, because fasting is a great help in keeping a person away from what is forbidden.
