The ruling on the statement: “Marriage is a portion and a destiny”

One of the brothers from the Arab Republic of Egypt sent a message asking about the people’s saying: “Marriage is a portion and a destiny.” Is there room for choice, O Shaykh? And how do you guide the people who say such things?
Answer: All things are a portion and a destiny; they are all by the command of Allah, all by the permission of Allah, and all are predestined. Allah has predestined marriage, predestined children, and predestined every matter of the servants’ deeds. The Exalted and Majestic said: [Surah al-Qamar: 49]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . Everything is predestined, but this does not prevent one from taking the means. You are commanded to take the means; you are commanded to marry, to seek a righteous woman, and to seek the means of provision, whether through farming, trade, carpentry, blacksmithing, tailoring, or otherwise. You are commanded to take the means, and it is all by decree. If you plant the land, it is by decree. If you marry, it is by decree. If a child comes to you, it is by decree. If you engage in carpentry, it is by decree. Blacksmithing is by decree. Being a construction worker is by decree. Everything is by decree. So you must work through the means, strive, and exert yourself in seeking provision and in doing good deeds. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, is the One who grants success and guidance. You ask your Lord for assistance and success. If you pray with the congregation, it is by decree. If you learn the Qur'an and memorize it, it is by decree. If you learn knowledge, it is by decree. If you greet so-and-so, it is by decree. If you return his greeting, it is by decree. If you visit your brother in Allah, it is by decree. If you visit the sick, it is by decree, and so on; everything is by decree. But you are commanded to take the beneficial means and to beware of the harmful means. You are commanded to do this, and Allah is the One who grants success and guidance, Blessed and Exalted is He. Yes.