يَا مَعْشَرَ الشَّبَابِ، مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمُ الْبَاءَةَ فَلْيَتَزَوَّجْ، فَإِنَّهُ أَغَضُّ لِلْبَصَرِ، وَأَحْصَنُ لِلْفَرْجِ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِالصَّوْمِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ وِجَاءٌ
O assembly of youth, whoever among you is able to marry, let him marry, for it suppresses the gaze and guards chastity. And whoever is not able, then fasting is his protection (literally: his means of castrating himself).
Ya ma'shara ash-shabab, man istata'a minkumul-ba'ata falyatazawwaj, fa innahu aghaddu lil-basari, wa ahsanu lil-farji, wa man lam yastati' fa'alayhi bis-sawmi, fa innahu lahu wijaa'
When to Read
This hadith, while not a specific dua, addresses the situation of those unable to marry due to financial or other practical constraints. It's a guiding principle. You should turn to Allah in earnest supplication (dua) for ease in finding a spouse and the means to support marriage. Recite this hadith to remind yourself of the Prophet's ﷺ advice and make dua during the times it's most answered, such as the last third of the night, between the Dhuhr and Asr prayers on a Friday, or when traveling. You can also make dua in prostration (sujood) or after completing your obligatory prayers.
How to Read
The primary 'dua' here is the advice of the Prophet ﷺ himself: to fast if one cannot marry. This is a practical step and an act of worship that helps control desires. Beyond that, you should supplicate directly to Allah, asking for the specific help you need. For example, you can say: > **Arabic:** رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ زَوْجًا طَيِّبًا، وَاجْعَلْ لِي سَبِيلًا إِلَى الزَّوَاجِ، وَارْزُقْنِي الْحَلَالَ > **Translation:** My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good spouse, and make a way for me to get married, and provide me with lawful means. > **Transliteration:** *Rabbi hab li min ladunka zawjan tayyiban, waj'al li sabeelan ila az-zawaji, warzuqni al-halala* Maintain sincerity in your supplication, have firm belief in Allah's power to answer, and remain patient.
Virtues & Benefits
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explicitly states the profound benefits of marriage: it helps lower your gaze, thus protecting you from sin, and it preserves your chastity by providing a lawful outlet for desires. For those who cannot marry, fasting is highlighted as a means of protection. By engaging in sincere dua and following this guidance, you are seeking Allah's help to overcome this difficulty and attain a state of purity and contentment.
Source & Authentication
Narrated Abdullah: Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 'O young men, whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his chastity. And whoever cannot marry, should fast, for fasting is a protection for him.' (Sahih al-Bukhari 5066). In another narration: '...and whoever is not able to marry, then he should fast, for fasting is a means of controlling his desire.' (Sahih Muslim 1400).