بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

 Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) was asked why Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah did not get married- was it due to [التبتل -intentionally staying away from marriage] and [التشدد -over stringency] and is his abstinence from marriage similar to the situation of the three Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) mentioned in the following hadeeth:

[Anas ibn Maalik said: Three people came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asking about the worship of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). When they were told, it was as if they regarded it as too little. They said: Who are we in comparison to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Allaah has forgiven his past and future sins. One of them said: As for me, I will pray all night forever. Another said: I shall fast all my life and never break my fast. Another said: I shall keep away from women and never get married. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and said: “Are you the ones who said such and such? By Allaah, I am the one who fears Allaah the most among you and I am the most pious, but I fast and I break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me] [Bukhari 5063]

Answer:

If this questioner became like Shaikhul Islaam in his Jihaad and knowledge, and marriage would stop him from Dawah and Jihaad, then he is excused. Rather, indeed Shaikhul Islaam abandoned it (i.e. marriage) because he was a Mujaahid in the path of Allaah. And also he was troubled (i.e. by the people of Bidah), imprisoned and punished. He was not available for marriage (i.e. he had no time).

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