What should a person do who suffers from extreme shyness that prevents them from progressing and marrying? What are the types of marriage and their rulings? Is "marriage is half of faith" a prophetic hadith? And what is the ruling on marriage for a person afflicted with shyness?

This type of shyness is a psychological complex caused by personality or environment, and it hinders one from achieving great things. Its cure, for those with a sincere resolve, can be summarized as follows:

Firstly: Seeking refuge in Allah Almighty and supplicating to Him, with certainty that He answers the supplication of the distressed.

Secondly: Cultivating self-confidence and embarking on what benefits religion and worldly life, seeking help from Allah, in fulfillment of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, and there is good in both. Be keen on what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be helpless."

Thirdly: Seeking refuge in Allah from Satan, for perhaps the matter is due to satanic whisperings that deter the Muslim from good, in fulfillment of His (the Almighty's) saying: "And if an evil whisper from Satan reaches you, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."

Fourthly: Following the example of righteous role models from among the Prophets, Companions, and the righteous, and keeping company with good people.

Fifthly: Seeking help from trusted, religiously upright psychiatrists.

Marriage is a good thing that a Muslim should be keen on, and shyness should not prevent him from embarking on it; for by doing so, he deprives himself of much good.