Marriage is compulsory for a man and woman

Marriage is compulsory

Careful consideration of the Quranic injunctions and the traditions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) clearly show that marriage is compulsory (wajib) for a man who has the means to easily pay the Mahr (dowry) and to support a wife and children, and is healthy,
and fears that if does not marry, he may be tempted to commit fornication (Zina). It is also compulsory for a woman who has no other means of maintaining herself and who fears that her sexual urge may push her into fornication. But even for a person who has a strong will to control his sexual desire, who has no wish to have children, and who feels that marriage will keep him away from his devotion to Allah, it is commendable (Mandub).

However, according to the Maliki school, under certain conditions it is obligatory (fard) for a Muslim to marry even if he is not in a position to earn his living:

*If he fears that by not marrying he will commit fornication (Zina).

*If he is unable to fast to control his passions or his fasting does not help him to refrain from Zina.

*Even if he is unable to find a slave girl or a destitute girl to marry.

However some jurists suggest that if a man cannot procure a lawful livelihood, he must not marry because if he marries without any hope of getting lawful bread, he may commit theft, and in order to avoid one evil (his passions) he may become the victim of another (theft).

The Hanafi school considers marriage as obligatory (fard) for a man:

*If he is sure that he will commit Zina if he does not marry.

*If he cannot fast to control his passions or even if he can fast, his fast does not help him to control his passion.

*If he cannot get a slave-girl to marry.

*If he is able to pay the dowry (Mahr) and to earn a lawful livelihood.