Does marriage increase or decrease faith?

Marriage is a means to perfect faith and preserve it from temptations, as it fortifies the married person against disobedience. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that whoever marries has completed half of his religion.

Al-Qurtubi said that marriage protects one from fornication, and this is one of the reasons by which a person enters Paradise. Furthermore, marriage is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting the private parts. For those who are unable to marry, they should fast, for it is a shield for them.