Celibacy and Monasticism is Forbidden
Islamic
is totally opposed to monasticism and celibacy. ‘Uthman bin Maz’un was a close
companion of the Prophet (S). One day his wife came to the Prophet (S) and
complained,
“O Messenger of God (S)! ‘Uthman fasts
during the day and stands for prayers during the night.”
In
other words, she meant to say that her husband was avoiding sexual relations
during the night as well as the day. The Prophet (S) was angered. He did not
even wait to put on his slippers. He went to ‘Uthman’s house and found him
praying. When ‘Uthman finished his prayers and turned towards the Prophet (S),
he said,
“O ‘Uthman! Allah did not send me for
monasticism, rather He sent me with a simple and straight [Shariah]. I fast,
pray and also have intimate relations with my wife. So whosoever likes my
tradition, then he should follow it; and marriage is one of my traditions.”
Beneficial Effects of a Married Life
The Prophet (S) said,
“One
who marries, has already guarded half of his religion, therefore he should fear
Allah for the other half.”
How true! A person who fulfills his
sexual urges lawfully would rarely be distracted in spiritual pursuits.
Marriage Enhances the Value of Prayers
The
Prophet (S) said,
“Two
rak‘ats (cycles) prayed by a married person are better than the night-vigil and
the fast of a single person.”
A
woman came to the Prophet (S) and said that she had tried everything to attract
her husband but in vain; he does not leave his meditation to pay any attention
to her.
The Prophet (S) told her to inform her husband about the reward of sexual intercourse which he described as follows:
The Prophet (S) told her to inform her husband about the reward of sexual intercourse which he described as follows:
“When
a man approaches his wife, he is guarded by two angels and [at that moment in
Allah’s views] he is like a warrior fighting for the cause of Allah. When he
has intercourse with her, his sins fall like the leaves of the tree [in fall
season]. When he performs the major ablution, he is cleansed from sins.”
Marriage increases Sustenance
The
Holy Prophet (S) remarked,
“Give
spouses to your single ones, because Allah makes their morality better
(improves it) (under the shadow of marriage) and expands their sustenance and
increases their generosity (human values).”
