Marriage Section · 1 – Encouragement of Marriage
Al-Kamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I was with Abdullah ibn Mas’ud in Mina. Then ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) met him and drew him aside (to speak privately – implying a marriage proposal). When Abdullah ibn Mas’ud realized that he did not need what ‘Uthman was offering, he called me and said, “Come here, Al-Kamah.” So I came to them. Then ‘Uthman said to him, "If we were to marry you to a virgin girl, perhaps some of what you have lost of your self would return to you."
Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Indeed, you say this. By Allah, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) say: ‘Whoever is capable of marriage, let him marry. For marriage protects one from fornication more than anything else, and it safeguards the private parts. Whoever is not capable of marriage, let him fast, for fasting restrains his veins.’”
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Explanation:
*Baa’*: Originally means a place of refuge, but here it is used metaphorically to refer to marriage. It signifies that marriage provides security and fulfillment in all respects.
*Wija*: Refers to the drawing out of eggs or the breaking down of veils (of modesty). Marriage restrains desire as if those veils have been broken.
*Hisa*: Means completely removing the eggs. This hadith may serve as evidence for the permissibility of using remedies that restrain male potency, with the condition that those who cannot marry do so without harming their health, in order to protect themselves from sin. (Hattabi’s Commentary)