The statement that it is 'better for you to be patient' than to marry is a highly specific ruling found in Surah An-Nisa, verse 25, and does not represent a general Islamic principle favoring celibacy. According to the consensus of classical scholars, including Ibn Kathir, this verse addresses the unique and challenging circumstance of a free man who lacks the financial means to marry a free, believing woman and fears that his inability to marry will lead him into sin (al-'anat). As a concession, he is permitted to marry a believing slave-woman with her guardian's consent. However, the Quran immediately follows this permission with the counsel that exercising patience and abstaining from such a marriage is the superior path. Scholars explain that this preference is due to potential long-term complications, most notably that the offspring of such a marriage would be born as slaves to the woman's master. Therefore, this verse is a testament to Islam's practical guidance in hardship, while upholding the higher ideal of patience to avoid greater future difficulties, rather than a promotion of celibacy over the institution of marriage, which is otherwise strongly encouraged.