Question:

A common custom among the people nowadays is for a woman or her father to refuse a man's proposal so that she may finish high school, college or some specific amount of studying. What is the ruling concerning that? What is your advice for those who fall into that trap? Sometimes, the woman reaches the age of thirty or more and she has yet to get married!

Response:

My advice to all young men and young women is to get married quickly if the means to it are made possible for you. This is because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) has said:

«O youthful people, if any of you have the means to, he should get married, as it lowers the eyesight and protects the private parts. Those who have not the ability to do so should fast, as it will be a shield for him». This was recorded by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) also said:

«If one whose religion and character pleases you proposes to you, you should marry him. If you do not do so, them will be tribulations in the land and great evil». This was recorded by at-Tirmidhee with a hasan chain.

The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) also said:

«Marry the child-bearing, loving woman for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection». This was recorded by Ahmad and graded Saheeh by ibn Hibban.

Therefore, there are many benefits to marriage which the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) alluded to, including lowering the gaze, protecting the private parts, increasing the numbers of the Muslim Nation and being saved from great evil and misfortune.

May Allaah grant to all what is best for their religion and worldly lives. He is All-Hearing, Close.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar'ah