What If My Wife Shared Her Intimate Pictures with Other Men before We Married?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I married a girl two months ago, and she was a virgin at the time, but I recently discovered that she has shared nude pictures with other men in the past.
She is loyal now and is not like she used to be. Can I keep this marriage going?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are well. Thank you for seeking guidance.
Yes, you should uphold your marriage, my beloved brother. May Allah (Most High) continually elevate you in sound faith, good works, and closeness with Him, amin.
Your beloved wife has committed a wrong in the past, no doubt. I am sure, and the same with you, too, that she will have repented before marriage with remorse. I sincerely advise you to refrain from holding her to task, which you haven’t, nor bring it up in the future. We are all sinners; we have our egos and desires. As long we realize and take the necessary steps, we have to move forward and have hope in Allah (Most High).
I would like to share two things, one hadith, and a report.
‘Imran Ibn Husayn reported: A woman of Juhayna came to the Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) while she was pregnant from adultery. She said, “O Prophet of Allah, I have committed a legal offense, so impose it upon me.” The Prophet called for her guardian, and he said, “Be kind to her and when she gives birth, bring her to me.” He did so, and the Prophet ordered for her shroud to be wrapped over her, then he ordered her to be stoned and prayed over her. Umar said, “Do you prayer over one who committed adultery?” The Prophet said, “She had repented with such repentance that, if it had been divided between seventy people of Medina, it would have reached beyond them. Have you found any repentance better than this, that she gave up her life for Allah Almighty?” [Muslim]
Abdullah Ibn Shumayt reported: Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani (Allah have mercy on him) said, “A man will not hit the mark, nor fulfill his manhood until he has two characteristics: Forgiving people and overlooking their faults.” [Ibn Mirzuban, al-Muru‘a]
Allah (Most High) creates the best of harmony and love between you, and may this bonding be a means of healthy, righteous children, amin.
Given the considerations in such circumstances, we urge that you consult reliable local scholars or counselors about the specifics of the problem. May Allah facilitate all ease and good for you.
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
