Has money to study or get married Fatwa No: 88420
- Fatwa Date:9-8-2004
I am a 27 year old man working in Saudi Arabia. I have been acceptance at an Australian university to study for a masters in nursing, but I have only about 15000 $. This money is enough to get married. So now I do not know what to do? I have the choices of getting married or going to Australia for stud. What must I do according to the priorities in Islam? Could you please answer my question.
Mind you, I saved this 15000$ in 2 years and it is very difficult to save it again. Thanks.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
There is no doubt that Islam urges people to get married. It is confirmed that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "O, young people, whoever among you can marry, should marry." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
On the other hand, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) urged people to seek religious knowledge and other beneficial sciences that help the earth to be inhabited, and provide good to the people.
Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge Allah will make his path to paradise easy (because of his seeking Knowledge)."
So, both of them (getting married and seeking knowledge) are beneficial. If you can achieve both at the same time, this is what is required. Otherwise, what is apparent in your case is that you should put marriage first, in order to guard your modesty and chastity, especially since you are at the bloom of your youth and considering going to a country where there are many temptations and tribulations.
In addition to this, getting married is one of the means of becoming rich. Ibn Mas'ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said:" Seek to become rich in getting married." Allah says: "If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty." (An-Nur 24:32)
Allah may open for you means of provision after getting married, and these studies might be made available for you in one of the Muslim countries, and marriage could be of help in your studies as you will feel more peace and tranquility.
Finally, we advise you to be very determined in aspiring for sublimity and dignity, and you should supplicate to Allah to give success to your aspirations.
Allah knows best.