Chapter Nine
Rulings Specific to Marriage and Its Dissolution

Allah, the Most High, says: “And of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect.” (30:21) (1)

He also says: “Marry off the single ones among you and the righteous among your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty; Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.” (24:32) (2)

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, states: “This is a command to marry, and some scholars held that it is obligatory upon everyone who is able. They cited the apparent meaning of the Prophet’s ﷺ words: ‘O young people, whoever among you is able to bear the cost of marriage, let him marry, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and better safeguards chastity. Whoever is not able, let him fast, for fasting will be a shield for him.’ Al-Bukhari and Muslim both narrated it from Ibn Masʿud.

He then pointed out that marriage is a means to wealth, using as evidence Allah’s statement: ‘If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty.’ (24:32)