Youth And Marriage By Shaykh Fawzan

Bismillaah, wal-hamdulilaah, was-salaatu was-salaamu 'alaa rasoolillaah, As Salamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatuh

From among the problems facing adolescents is that they abstain from marriage. This is a big problem. The youth abstaining from matrimony produces serious harm that no one knows the outcome except Allah. They use the following alleged reasons fro abstaining from matrimony...

* Getting married at an early age diverts from studying and getting prepared for the future.

* Getting married at an early age burdens the youth with the responsibilities of providing for his wife and children.

*The most dangerous reasons for the youth turning away from marriage is obstacles which are placed in the path towards marriage such as extravagant celebrations. And at times the youth can not afford the expense of these celebrations.

In my opinion this is the biggest reason why these adolescents do not get married. The remedy for this problem is very simple if we correct our intentions. First, it should be explained to the youth that the merits, superiority, and blessings that lie within the marriage outweigh the obstacles and difficulties we previously mentioned. There is not anything in this Dunya except there is a trade off. I am not saying that the marriage is easy and that there are not any difficulties or hardships. There are difficulties and problems in marriage however; the benefits of marriage outweigh those problems and difficulties that occur. Consequently, these virtues make those difficulties and hardships forgotton. The benefits of marriage should be explained to the youth until they desire it. Marriage helps people protect their private parts and lower their gaze.


The statement of the Prophet Salallahu alayhi wa Salam; points to this"

'O young men, those of yo that can support a wife should marry, verily matrimony controls the gaze and protects the private parts. And whoever among them can not afford to marry should fast.' (Hadeeth Saheeh collected by Al-Bukhari 1905-5056 Muslim in His Sahih 1400 on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood Radiyallahu anhu)

The Prophet Salallahu alayhi wa Salam specifically instructed the youth to take part in marriage, because they are prepared for it if they have the ability. It is appropraite for the youth to get married at an early age if he or she has the ability and means to do so. Praise is to Allah, currently this is predominately the case. There isn't any excuse for the youth to leave off getting married. The Prophet Salallahu alayhi wa Salam explained the merits of getting married at a young age. Matrimony protects the private parts, beacuse the private part is very dangerous if unguarded.

Allah Suabahana wa ta'alaa says:

"And those who guard their chastity (i.e, private parts from illegal sexual acts). Except with their wives and the (women slaves) whom their night right hands possess for (then) they are not blameworthy." (Surat al Mar'aaj 29-30)

Matrimony protects the private parts. This is to say that marriage safeguards the person from a great evil. Marriage protects that organ and lowers the gaze. If the youth gets married he will be delighted. He would not be looking here or there at women or what Allah has prohibted. As a result, Allah saved this person from the Haram by giving him the halal. By Allah's bounty this person was saved from adultery and fornication.

Second, Marriage helps a person to attain tranquility and ease.

Allah Subahana wa ta'alaa says:

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may repose them, and He has put between you affection and mercy." (Surat ar- Rum:21)

Whenever the youth gets married his soul is relieved from agitation, anxiety and he has peace of mind.

"That you may find repose in them." (Surat al-Furqan:74)

Verily the matrimony of this youth is among the reasons for his tranquility and serenity. Accordingly, matrimony is a reason which numerous blessings spring from.


Taken from the Book Islam's Solution For The Problems Facing Todays Youth pg42-44 by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen Rahimuallah and Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawazan al-Fawzan