Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We were young men with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and we had nothing (means). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "O young men! Whoever among you has the means to marry should get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts. And whoever is not able to marry should fast, for fasting diminishes his sexual desire."

Alqamah said: I was with Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) when Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) met him (at Mina) and said: O Abu Abdur Rahman! Would you like us to arrange your marriage with a virgin girl, who would remind you of the days gone by? Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: If this is your suggestion, then listen, I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: "O young men! Whoever among you has the means to marry should get married, and whoever does not have the means should observe fasting, for it will diminish his desire."