Can I Marry the Woman I Fornicated With?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
Before I converted I committed zina with a woman who I see as my soulmate. Our faith was weak. We have both repented and feel closer to Allah now.
Would our past be a reason why we could not get married? If we have repented and changed the nature of our relationship, would our past still be an issue?
Answer
No, your previous zina with this woman will not affect your marriage to her, nor is it any issue at all. Rather, this honorable and praiseworthy to rectify your mistake and make your relationship halal. Allah accepts repentance for all sins, and that is your key. Keep away from her, following the rules of gender interaction, until your nikah is done, and commit to making this relationship for Allah and help each other gain knowledge and improve yourselves.
The barakah (blessings) in your marriage will depend on what kind of believer you will be. It all depends on you. If you are praying on time, paying zakat on time, striving to learn your obligatory knowledge, learn the Qur’an, and treat each other with kindness, love, generosity, understanding, and devotion, you can both be raised to a lofty state like those whom: “there will be no fear upon them nor will they grieve.“ [Qur’an, 2:62]
I pray that Allah forgives you and blesses your union. Please see the following links on preparation for marriage and sincere repentance.
Marriage in Islam: Practical Guidance for Successful Marriage …
Love, Marriage and Relationships in Islam: All Your Questions Answered
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied Aqidah, Fiqh, Tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied Fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
