The Book of Marriage: It Is a Recommended Practice

The Shaykh : Yes, her first husband — pay attention — so what is the answer? We said the answer to this is from one of two angles. Either it is said that the intended meaning of marriage (nikah) here is the contract, and the Sunnah added another condition, which is intercourse, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Do you understand? Yes, so the addition of intercourse is something that came from the Sunnah, and the Sunnah undoubtedly qualifies the Qur'an. The second angle is to say that the intended meaning of marriage (nikah) here is intercourse, based on His saying, "a wife until she marries another husband," and it is not possible for her to be a wife except after the contract, so there is an indication here that the intended meaning of marriage (nikah) is the contract.

The questioner : Intercourse.

The Shaykh : Yes, and regarding intercourse, the intended meaning of marriage (nikah) is intercourse, and in any case, there is no problem. The rule is consistent. Yes, the intended meaning of marriage (nikah) in the Qur'an is the contract.
The ruling on marriage. The author said "It is a recommended practice", and this means that it is not obligatory. The evidence that it is a recommended practice is, first, that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) commanded it, saying . Second, it is among the practices of the messengers, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted , and it is known that we, the nations, follow the messengers of Allah sent to us.
Third, the great benefits that result from it. A thing may be sought even if it is not explicitly commanded, because of the great benefits and advantages that result from it. So the evidence that it is a recommended practice is from three angles, or the argument for it being a recommended practice is from three angles: first, the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for it; second, that it is among the practices of the messengers; and third, the great benefits that result from it. Some scholars said that it is obligatory, because the default ruling for a command is obligation, and because of the great benefits that result from it and the repelling of many harms, as it lowers the gaze and protects the private parts. However, there must be a condition for this opinion, which is the ability to do so, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) qualified it with ability , and because the general rule for every obligatory act is that ability is a condition for it. In my opinion, the opinion of obligation is closer to the truth, and that a person who has desire and is able to marry must do so.