MATRIMONY
AT AN EARLY AGE AND ITS BENEFITS
by Shaykh Fowzan
Taken from: ISLAAMS SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEMS FACING TODAYS
YOUTH, Pgs. 44-48
From among the benefits of getting married at an early age is the obtaining
of children, which make the youth delighted at their presence.
Allah says:
And those who say: Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and
our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders
for the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2 and the footnote of
V.3:164). (Al-Furqan 25:74)
Wives and children are a deligh; Allah prmised that marriage brings
about pleasure. This pleasure encourages and persuades the youth to
take an interest in matrimony.
This is also similar to how Allah mentioned that childred are a share
of this worlds beauty.
Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world.
But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allâhs
obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allâh with glorification,
praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for
rewards and better in respect of hope. (Al-Kahf 18:46)
Therefore, this world is adorned by children. The human-being seeks
out adornment the same ways he tries to obtain wealth. Similarly, he
craves for children, because they are equal to wealth in their existence.
This is in this world. Then in the hereafter, righteous children can
benefit their fathers as the Prophet sallalahu alayhe wasallam
said:
Whenever the son of Adam dies his action stop except three:
Knowledge that benefits people, a recurring charity, and a righteous
child that supplicates for his parent .
(Hadeeth Saheeh, Collected by Muslim #1631)
The second benefit of matrimony at an early age is that it produces
children increasing the Muslim Ummah and Islaamic society. The Prophet
sallalahu alayhe wasallam said
Marry the loving and fertile, for verily I want to have the
largest Ummah on the Day of Resurrection.
[Hadeeth Saheeh, Collected by Abu Dawud in his Sunnan (#2050), An-Nisa'i
in his Sunnan As-Sughara (#3227), Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak (#2/162),
and Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh (#4057), Al-Baghawee in his Sharh-us-Sunnah
(#9/17), Al-Bayhaqee in his Sunnan AL-Kubara (#7/81) on the authority
of Ma'qal Ibn Yasaar. Graded Saheeh by Al-Albani in his checking of
Abu Dawud.]
Great blessing result from marriage. From among them are the ones we
previously mentioned. So if these virtues and blessings are explained
to the adolscents, then the fallacious problems that hinder people from
getting married will disappear.
As for the saying that, getting married at an early age diverts from
gaining knowledge and from studying, this is not the case. Rather, the
opposite of this is correct because tranquility, peace of mind, and
pleasure never cease to be obtained through marriage. These things help
the student to reach his goal because, he has peace of mind, and his
thoughts are not cluttered due to discomfort and this helps him study.
Now on the other hand abstaining from marriage in reality blocks whatever
knowledge he wants to attain, because it is not possible to acquire
knowledge in a state of confusion and anxiety. However, if he gets married,
his mind is at rest and his soul is at ease. He gets a house to take
as a shelter and a wife who relaxes and helps him. These things help
him to attain knowledge.
If Allah makes it easy and this marraige becomes a source of comfot
to become a relationship, then this is from among the things which make
it easy for the student to pursue knowledge. Matrimony does not block
the path to knowledge as some believe. For that reason, having children
is an enormous blessing in this life and in the next.
As for the statement that marriage at an early age burdens the adolsecent
to supply provisions for his children, wife and other responsibilities,
this also is not correct. Along with marriage comes blessings and well-being.
Matrimony is obedience to Allah and His Messenger sallalahu alayhe
wasallam and there is good in every act of obedience. So if the youth
gets married following the orders of the Prophet sallalahu alayhe
wasallam by seeking the blessings that have been promised with the correct
intentions, then this marriage will be a reason for his blessings. The
provisions are in the hands of Allah.
Allah, the Mighty and Majestic states:
And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision
is due from Allâh. (Hud 11:6)
Consequently, if Allah makes it easy for you to get married, then He
will make providing for your children easy.
We provide sustenance for you and for them. (Al-Anam 6:151)
Marriage does not burden the young man above his ability as some of
the people think. Marriage brings benefits and blessings. Matrimony
is a necessary Sunnah of Allah for the human-being. Matrimony is not
a horrible nightmare. It is only a door from the doors of righteousness
for the person with the correct intention.
As for the excuses about the obstacles placed in the path of marriage,
then this is from their evil behavior. Marriage in itself does not require
such things as a plump dowry, parties which amount to more than required
or other expenses with no authority from Allah. Rather, what is required
is a wedding with ease.
Hence, it is a duty to clarify to the people that these extravagances
placed in the path to a wedding bring about evil consequences for their
sons and daughters. These extravagances are not from their well-being.
Therefore, it is a must to remedy these problems, so that matrimony
can return to its ease and convenience.
We ask Allah the Glorious and Most High to grant us the safety of success,
guidance and to rectify the condition of all of us. We ask Allah to
rectify the Muslim youth and to return the Muslims to their rank and
honor the same way Allah gave the Muslim honor before. We ask Allah
to return this honor and to rectify the Muslims state.
Allah says the Most High:
But honour, power and glory belong to Allâh, His Messenger
(Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhe Wasallam), and to the believers, but
the hypocrites know not. (Al-Munafiqun 63:8)
We ask Allah to give the Muslims insight in their religion and to protect
them from the evil of their enemies. Peace and blessings be upon our
Prophet, his family and all his companions. Praise be to Allah.
http://theclearsunnah.wordpress.com/2007/07/18/marriage-at-an-early-age-and-its-benefits/