Answer: In response to your question, people can be categorized into three types regarding marriage:
1. The Vulnerable Individual: This type of person is scared for themselves, fearing that if they do not get married, they might fall into haram (forbidden actions). Whether male or female, if they have the ability to marry, it is considered obligatory for them to do so.
This view is supported by the overwhelming majority of scholars, as marriage serves as a means to protect oneself from haram. Therefore, for this individual, marriage becomes an obligation.
2. The Disciplined Individual: The second type consists of those who have desires but are capable of controlling them. For this category, it is recommended—not obligatory—to get married. Many scholars and companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) support this view.
For instance, Sa'id ibn Jubair recounts that Ibn Abbas asked him if he had married yet. When Sa'id replied no, Ibn Abbas encouraged him to marry, stating that:
"Marry, for the best person of this (Muslim) nation (i.e., Muhammad) of all other Muslims, had the largest number of wives." (Bukhari: 5069)
Additionally, Ibrahim recounts a conversation in which Tawoos ibn Kaysaan addressed him with a firm message regarding marriage. Tawus stated that he would tell Ibrahim something similar to what Umar once said to Abu az-Zawaid:
"The only reasons preventing someone from getting married are either weakness and incompetence or engaging in immoral behavior." (Sunan Sa’eed bin Mansur:491)
Umar's statement reflects a strong belief in the importance of marriage, and Tawoos ibn Kaysaan echoed this sentiment with equal conviction, urging Ibrahim to take the step towards marriage.
Thus, for those who have desires but can control them, marriage is highly recommended.
3. The Indifferent Individual: The third type is someone who has no desires whatsoever. Scholars have differing opinions on whether it is recommended for this person to marry. Some scholars argue that it is still advisable to marry due to the general encouragement found in the Quran and Sunnah. Conversely, other scholars suggest that it may be best for such individuals to refrain from marriage, as the benefits of marriage may not be realized if there are no desires. For example, a man without desires might harm his wife by failing to fulfill her needs, while a wife without desires could become an obstacle for her husband. Consequently, some scholars believe it may be better for individuals in this category to remain unmarried.
In summary, individuals can fall into one of these three categories. It is important to reflect on which category you might belong to, and if Allah wills, the answer will become clear.
— Answered by Ustadh Abdulrahman Hassan
