‘Alqamah said “I was going with ‘Abd Allaah bin Mas’ud at Mina where ‘Uthman met him and desired to have a talk with him in privacy”. When ‘Abd Allaah (bin Mas’ud) thought there was no need of privacy, he said to me “Come, ‘Alqamah So I came (to him)”. Then ‘Uthman said to him “Should we not marry you, Abu ‘Abd Al Rahman to a virgin girl, so that the power you have lost may return to you?” ‘Abd Allaah (bin Mas’ud) said “If you say that, I heard the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) say “ Those of you who can support a wife, should marry, for it keeps you from looking at strange women and preserve from unlawful intercourse, but those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire.
Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah) - Sunan Abi Dawud 2046
This narration from Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) through Alqamah presents profound wisdom regarding marriage in Islam. The exchange between Uthman and Abdullah demonstrates the companions' mutual concern for one another's spiritual and physical well-being.
Scholarly Commentary
Uthman's suggestion to Abdullah bin Mas'ud to marry a young woman reflects the Islamic principle that marriage revitalizes one's spiritual and physical state. The term "power you have lost" refers to both physical vitality and spiritual strength that marriage can restore through lawful intimacy.
Abdullah's response with the Prophet's teaching establishes marriage as a divinely prescribed protection for the believer. The phrase "keeps you from looking at strange women" indicates that marriage safeguards the gaze, while "preserve from unlawful intercourse" protects the private parts - two fundamental aspects of chastity in Islam.
The conditional nature of this ruling - "those of you who can support a wife" - demonstrates Islam's practical approach. Financial capability is a prerequisite, preventing hardship upon both spouses. For those unable to marry, fasting serves as an effective spiritual discipline to control desires, as the Prophet described it as a shield.
Legal Rulings Derived
Marriage is highly recommended (mustahabb) for those with financial means as it protects one's chastity.
Financial capability (nafaqah) is a necessary condition for marriage to ensure dignity and stability.
Fasting serves as an alternative spiritual practice for those unable to marry, functioning as a means to control sexual desire.
The companions' mutual counseling in religious matters exemplifies the collective responsibility Muslims have toward one another's spiritual welfare.