Search In Fatwa

Is marriage compulsory in Islam?

Question

Is it permissible for a woman not to get married for no reason and she doesn't fear falling in Zina?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim woman and a Muslim man should not abstain from marriage for no reason, as Sharee’ah commands and encourages Muslims to get married. Some scholars even see it as obligatory for those who are able to marry. The same view was reported in one of two narrations from Imam Ahmed, Al-Mardawi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them said in Al-Insaaf: It was reported that he (Imam Ahmed  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him) is of the view that marriage is an obligation in general. This view was chosen by Abu Bakr, Abu Hafs al-Barmaki, Ibn Abi Musa  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them. And it was introduced by the author of Manthoomat Al-Mufradaat. Al-Shawkani said in Nayl Al-Awtar on the authority of Samurah that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) forbids celibacy.” [Narrated by Ibn Maajah], he said: Scholars who are of the view that marriage is obligatory rely on this evidence “forbids celibacy.”, and his saying in the first Hadith “he should marry”, and his saying, “whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.” As well as similar commands.

Regardless of the preponderance of this view or not, we encourage our Muslim brothers and sisters to do what the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) encouraged them for, to get married and increase their offspring. It is known that many scholars are of the view that marriage is desirable, not obligatory. Based on this view, who abstains from marriage is not sinful, however, there is no difference in opinion that marriage is required by Sharee’ah whether desirable or obligatory for those who are able to marry or for those who fear committing adultery.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa