Some, when they set out to seek knowledge, fear poverty, and when they think about marriage, they abandon it and say, “What will I give this woman?”

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some students of knowledge and callers to Allah, when they set out to seek knowledge, fear poverty. And when they think about marriage, they abandon it and say, “What will I give this woman and spend on her?”

The Shaykh:
And when he thinks about marriage, an idea.

The questioner:
He thinks about marriage, abandons it, and says, “What will I give this woman? And what will I spend on her?” The question is: Is this considered shirk (associating partners with Allah) in lordship, that Allah is the Creator and Provider, and that he did not act in accordance with this implication?

The Shaykh:
No, this is a deficiency, it is not shirk, but it is a deficiency in tawhid al-rububiyyah (oneness of lordship). Because it is obligatory to place one’s reliance on Allah. Placing one’s reliance on Allah is part of tawhid al-uluhiyyah (oneness of worship). Reliance is from the acts of worship, so worship Him and place your reliance on Him. So it is obligatory for him to place his reliance on Allah. As for whether he marries, that is up to him; it is up to him whether he marries or not. Yes, according to his circumstances and his capacity. , yes.