Does one who dies while refraining from marriage enter the Fire?

Question:
May Allah bless you. From Riyadh, the questioner, Alif 'Ayn, says: I have heard people say that the one who refrains from marriage and does not get married, and remains a bachelor, enters the Fire. Is this correct, Honorable Shaykh? Please inform us. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This statement is an exaggeration. There is no doubt that marriage is encouraged for one who is able to fulfill its rights, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Marriage is sought after because of the great benefits it contains, and one should not desire to avoid marriage if he is able to do it, because this is contrary to the Sunnah to which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) urged people. However, the matter does not reach the point of entering the Fire; rather, this action is disliked and contrary to the Sunnah if done out of religious zeal. If done out of religious zeal, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade it, as reported to him about the three men, one of whom said, "I will pray and not sleep," the second said, "I will fast and not break my fast," and the third said, "I will not marry women." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So if he does this out of religious zeal, it is forbidden, because this is extremism and rigidity in religion. But if he does it not out of religious zeal, but rather to escape the responsibilities and burdens of marriage, then this is a disliked matter. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) helps the one who marries with his provision and his obligations. Allah helps the one who marries, as He said: "And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty." Allah the Exalted said: So He promised the married with wealth. Yes.