Some Distinguished Scholars Leaving Marriage and Justifying Celibacy

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some young men justify celibacy to themselves by citing the fact that some distinguished scholars left marriage. What is the response to this?

The Shaykh:
Ibn Taymiyyah was occupied with jihad, because his time was a time of jihad, hardships, and imprisonment. He was imprisoned most of the time, so he did not have the leisure to marry, may Allah have mercy on him, because he was in jihad. As for Ibn Jarir, I do not know; this is the first time I have heard that Ibn Jarir did not marry. As for the Hafiz, this is one of the criticisms leveled against the Sufis. This resembles the monasticism of the Christians. Yes.

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh. The obligatory thing is only...

The Shaykh:
Marriage is an act of worship. If you want the reward and the recompense, then marriage is an act of worship, my brother. Just as you fast and pray, you marry.