What is the ruling on the obligation of marriage (Wujub)?

Primary text

The established position within the Madhhab is that marriage is generally not obligatory (not Wajib). It only becomes obligatory if a person fears falling into a prohibited act (Muhzur) by refraining from marriage, in which case fulfilling the need for lawful chastity becomes obligatory upon them. This view is held by the general body of jurists. This is supported by the evidence from the Quran, where the command to marry is conditioned upon the ability to find what is pleasing: {So marry what pleases you of women} (Quran 4:3), and obligations are not conditioned upon mere preference or ability. The command to marry two, three, or four is also not obligatory by consensus, indicating the command is for desirability (Nadb).