Monasticism - Islam

Islam

Islam does not allow the practice of monasticism. The stand of Islam is that while prohibiting sexual license, it is also against suppressing the sexual urge, and, accordingly, it calls people toward marriage, prohibiting renunciation and castration. As long as a Muslim man possess the means to marry, he is not permitted to refrain from marriage on the grounds that he has dedicated himself to the service or the worship of Allah and to a life of monasticism and renunciation of the world.

The expression "لاَ رَهْبَانِيَّةَ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ" “There is no (room for) monasticism in Islam”, is witnessed in numerous Islamic sources. It has been reported that Abu Qulabah narrated: Some of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be on him) decided to relinquish the world, forsake their wives, and become like monks. The Prophet (peace be on him) told them with asperity, People before you perished because of their asceticism; they made excessive demands on themselves until Allah brought hardships on them: you can still see a few of them remaining in monasteries and temples. Then worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, perform the Hajj and the ‘Umrah, be righteous, and all affairs will be set right for you. (Reported by ‘Abdur Razzaq, Ibn Jarir, and Ibn al-Mundhir)

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