What should young men who cannot marry do?
بم أمر الله عز وجل الشاب الذي لا يجد مالا يتزوج به؟ وما الذي يجب على الأولياء تجاه أولئك الذين لا يجدون نكاحا؟
Islam provides practical spiritual and physical solutions for unmarried youth to protect their chastity, while simultaneously placing a heavy social responsibility on the community to facilitate marriage.
يقدم الإسلام حلولا روحية وجسدية عملية للشباب غير المتزوجين لحماية عفتهم، ويضع في الوقت نفسه مسؤولية اجتماعية كبرى على المجتمع لتيسير الزواج.
Practical Steps for Chastity | وسائل تحقيق العفاف
1. The Command to Stay Chaste
Allah commands anyone who is not able to marry, either because he did not find a suitable woman or he does not have money, to stay chaste and stop himself from falling into forbidden acts. (And let those who do not have the means to marry keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His bounty.) An Nur 24:33.
1. الأمر بالاستعفاف
في هذه الآية أمر من الله عز وجل لمن لم يجد نكاحا أن يطلب العفاف عن الوقوع في الفاحشة. قال تعالى: (وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ) النور 24: 33.
2. Fasting and Prayer
The Prophet pbuh said: "Young men, those of you who can support a wife should marry... but those who cannot, should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire." One can fast Mondays and Thursdays or the white days of the month. Additionally, praying abundantly and reading the Quran protects a person, as Satan flees the house where the Quran is recited.
2. الصيام والصلاة
قال النبي ﷺ: "يا معشر الشباب من استطاع الباءة فليتزوج... ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم، فإنه له وجاء". ويتحقق ذلك بصيام الاثنين والخميس أو الأيام البيض. وكذلك الإكثار من الصلاة وقراءة القرآن، فإن الشيطان يفر من البيت الذي يقرأ فيه.
3. Avoiding Temptation
Self preoccupation with permissible things, such as sports and beneficial hobbies, helps a person forget lusts. One must not go to indecent places or stare at what is forbidden. Allah says: "Do not go near adultery. It is truly a shameful deed and an evil way."
3. تجنب مواطن الفتن
إشغال النفس بما هو مباح كالرياضة والهوايات النافعة، وعدم غشيان مواطن الريبة وإطلاق البصر في الحرام. قال تعالى: (وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا).
The Duty of Guardians | مسؤولية الأولياء
Allah instructed the guardians not to prevent their trustees from getting married to those whom they approve of regarding religion and honesty. One should not consider poverty a reason to reject a suitor, because Allah promised to enrich them: (Marry off the free singles among you, as well as the righteous of your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. For Allah is All Bountiful, All Knowing.) An Nur 24:32. The Prophet pbuh stated that the one who gets married seeking to keep himself chaste is promised the help of Allah.
أرشد الله الأولياء ألا يمتنعوا عن إنكاح من يرضون دينه وأمانته، ولا يجعل الولي الفقر مانعا من التزويج، فإن الله قد وعدهم بالإغناء من فضله الواسع. قال تعالى: (وَأَنكِحُوا الْأَيَامَىٰ مِنكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ ۚ إِن يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ). وروى النسائي أن النبي ﷺ قال: "ثلاثة كلهم حق على الله عز وجل عونهم... والناكح الذي يريد العفاف".
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What is the most effective prophetic advice for a young man who cannot marry?
The Prophet Muhammad pbuh specifically prescribed fasting for those unable to marry, as it naturally suppresses physical desires and strengthens spiritual discipline and willpower.
Should a father reject a righteous suitor just because the young man is poor?
No. The Quran explicitly promises that if a righteous couple marries seeking chastity despite poverty, Allah will enrich them from His bounty. A suitor's good character and religious commitment are far more important than his current wealth.
How does one avoid the temptation of illicit relationships?
By occupying oneself with beneficial activities like sports or learning, keeping the company of righteous friends, strictly lowering the gaze, and avoiding environments where temptation is present.