Third: He should keep away from that person’s home and avoid meeting those who associate with him, so that he hears no news of him and sees neither him nor any trace of him. Distance breeds estrangement, and the less someone is remembered, the weaker his influence on the heart becomes. Let him take these measures and report any changes in his condition. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—was asked about an unmarried man who longs to marry but fears taking on obligations toward a wife that he cannot fulfill. He has pledged to Allah not to ask anyone for anything for himself that would leave him beholden to them, yet he greatly desires marriage. Does he sin by remaining unmarried or not?

He replied:

It is established in the Sahīh that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Young men, whoever among you can afford to marry should do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and safeguarding chastity. Whoever cannot should fast, for fasting restrains his desire.”

“The ability to marry” means being able to meet its expenses, not being physically capable of intercourse. The hadith addresses those who are physically capable of intercourse; this is why he instructed those who could not afford marriage to fast, since fasting restrains their desire.

As for someone who has no money, is it recommended that he borrow and marry? There is disagreement on this within the school of Imam Ahmad and elsewhere. Allah Most High has said:

“Let those who cannot find the means to marry remain chaste until Allah enriches them out of His bounty.”

As for a “righteous man,” he is one who fulfills the rights that Allah and His servants have over him.