Classical accounts say Jesus remained single not from opposition to marriage but because his short life, mission and the potential trials of children and wealth made singleness the wiser path.
The question of Prophet ʿĪsā’s singleness is addressed here: we summarise why tradition and scholars say he did not marry.
Marriage is a divinely recommended institution with high value, and many admonitions support it. Yet some prophets did not marry, which might seem to some as if they opposed God’s command because they did not follow the recommendation. In practice, however, this was by divine will and wisdom, and such exceptions appear in the lives of God’s chosen servants.
Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq is quoted as reporting that ʿĪsā was asked why he did not marry. He replied: “Why should I marry?” When asked, “So that you might have children,” ʿĪsā answered that children, if they live, may be a cause of fitnah (trial), and if they die, they cause sorrow and grief.
This report does not indicate that ʿĪsā opposed marriage in principle. Rather, his answer can be read as a practical judgment: children and descendants may be a source of trial if they are not righteous. The imam’s report may also reflect how ʿĪsā responded to social pressure and criticism over his celibacy.
The article notes that marriage is not obligatory in itself but recommended. The Qur’an sometimes describes wealth and offspring as tests: “Your wealth and your children are only a trial” (Qur’an, cited paraphrase). Such passages warn about the risks of unworthy children or worldly preoccupations. This warning, however, does not amount to a prohibition of marriage.
The article argues that ʿĪsā’s singleness can be explained by practical factors: his short life and the continuous, intensive travel for his mission. Since marriage is recommended but not compulsory, a more urgent duty — such as prophetic mission — can justify foregoing marriage when necessary. Ultimately, such a choice was within ʿĪsā’s own judgment as a messenger of God.
Summary paragraph: The article lists several practical and spiritual reasons for his unmarried state: short lifespan, constant missionary travel, and the priority of his prophetic work. Because marriage is not a mandatory duty but a commendable practice, foregoing it is permitted when other obligations or unavoidable circumstances make it impractical.
Opinion # | Summary of the view from the article |
|---|---|
1 | Faḍl al-Qāshānī (Fiḍl Kašānī) and others note that marriage can distract from worship; some prophets avoided marriage to preserve their devotion. For ʿĪsā, abstaining may have been a precaution to prevent negligence in worship or mission. |
2 | Both ʿĪsā and Yaḥyā died young; had they lived longer they might have married. The short lifespan and extensive travel for preaching made marriage difficult or impractical. |
Additional remarks | The article stresses that neither ʿĪsā nor Yaḥyā advocated abandoning marriage for everyone; rather such choices suited their personal missions and circumstances. Classical texts (e.g., Nahj al-Balāgha) are cited to underline ʿĪsā’s ascetic life — “no wife to seduce him, nor child to sadden him” — but those descriptions do not evidence a universal prohibition of marriage. |
Tip |
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Marriage is meritorious but not universally obligatory; omission can be justified by greater duties. |
Children and wealth can be trials; that possibility was one reason given for ʿĪsā’s singleness. |
Short lifespan and continuous missionary travel are practical reasons some prophets did not marry. |
Avoid treating prophets’ personal choices as categorical rejections of social norms; such choices often reflect particular missions. |
If marriage would lead someone into sin, then marriage becomes obligatory; otherwise it remains recommended. |
