What is the ruling on refusing to get married?

The questioner : He says: I have a friend who swore an oath that she would not get married for the rest of her life until she meets Allah in a pure state. I told her that what she is doing is contrary to one of the Sunnahs of Allah in life, and that it is imitating the Christian nuns who shun marriage. But she said it is for the sake of Allah. What is your opinion on this matter?

The Shaykh : First, the questioner says, "I have a friend." There is a difference between a questioner and one who guides you, may Allah guide you. This questioner who says, "I have a friend."
She does not want to get married, and this questioner is encouraging her to get married. We say that the correct view is with the one who encouraged her to get married, and that it is not befitting for a woman to leave off marriage, because that is contrary to the purpose of the Lawgiver for this community. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) loves for his Ummah to increase in number, and there is no way to increase in number except through marriage. Therefore, this shunning of marriage by this young woman is a mistake that should not be. Likewise, the shunning of marriage by some young men is also a mistake. What I encourage the young people, both women and men, to do is to get married. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: His saying (peace and blessings be upon him) this same reasoning exists for the woman as well. Just as the man is commanded to get married for this wisdom, so the woman is commanded to get married because her marriage lowers her gaze and is better for her chastity.