"I was with Ibn Masud when he was with "uthman, and 'Uthman said: 'Whoever among you has the means, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one's chastity. And whoever cannot, then fasting will be a shield for him." (Sahih)
Abu 'Abdur-Rahman (An-Nasai) said: This (narrator) is Abu Mashar, his name is Ziyad bin Kulaib, and he is trustworthy. He was a companion of Ibrahim. Mansur, Mughirah, and Shubah reported from him. (As for) Abu Mashar AL-Madini; his name is Najih and he is weak, and with his weakness, he also became confused, he narrated Munkar narrations, among them: Muhammad bin 'Amr from Abu Salamah, from Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet, who said: "What is between the east and the west is the Qiblah. And among them: Hisham bin 'Urwah, from his father, from 'Aishah, from the Prophet: "Do not cut meat with the knife, rather gnaw at it."
Narrated by It was narrated that 'Alqamah said:
Context
In this narration, 'Alqamah recounts a statement made by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarding marriage and fasting. The Prophet ﷺ encourages those who can marry to do so for the sake of lowering the gaze and protecting one's chastity, while also recognizing fasting as a means of self-control for those who cannot marry. This highlights the balance between fulfilling natural desires and maintaining spiritual discipline.
Modern Application
This teaching can be applied today by encouraging individuals to seek marriage as a means of fulfilling their natural desires in a halal manner, while also recognizing fasting as a valuable practice for self-discipline and spiritual growth.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Fasting because it emphasizes fasting as a means of self-control and discipline.
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty. And those who seek a contract [for eventual emancipation] from among whom your right hands possess - then make a contract with them if you know there is within them goodness and give them from the wealth of Allah which He has given you. And do not compel your slave girls to prostitution, if they desire chastity, to seek [thereby] the temporary interests of worldly life. And if someone should compel them, then indeed, Allah is [to them], after their compulsion, Forgiving and Merciful.
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.
And whoever among you cannot [find] the means to marry free, believing women, then [he may marry] from those whom your right hands possess of believing slave girls. And Allah is most knowing about your faith. You [believers] are of one another. So marry them with the permission of their people and give them their due compensation according to what is acceptable. [They should be] chaste, neither [of] those who commit unlawful intercourse randomly nor those who take [secret] lovers. But once they are sheltered in marriage, if they should commit adultery, then for them is half the punishment for free [unmarried] women. This [allowance] is for him among you who fears sin, but to be patient is better for you. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.