Can Someone Guilty of Fornication Marry Someone Chaste?

Answered by Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Question: I have committed zina before marriage and I felt extremely guilty and made repentance.
Allah says in the Quran:“A man guilty of adultery or fornication does not marry other than a woman guilty of adultery or fornication, or an idolatress, and as for a woman who committed adultery or fornication, no one but a man who committed adultery or fornication,or an idolater,marries her. And that has been prohibited for the Believers.”[24:3]
I actually met a pure man and felt guilty about my sin, so I told him about it. He talked with his Imam at his mosque and the Imam told him that he must marry a pure woman. Can this man marry me?
Answer: Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I hope this finds you well.

Repentance

Ours is a deen of mercy. There was no need for you to tell the young man about your past sin. It is actually obligatory to hide sin after sincere repentance. Your guilt is a clear sign of your repentance.
The Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The one who repents from a sin is like the one who has no sin.”
I am sorry that the Imam at his masjid holds that stance. Please rest assured that because of your sincere repentance, you are worthy of marrying a pure man.

Hiding sin

It’s much easier for others to keep a good opinion of you when you keep your sins hidden. However, what is done is done. I pray that if he is right for you, he will be able to overlook your past and see the good that you have made with your Islam.
And Allah Most High knows best.
Please refer to the following links:
Should I Tell My Spouse About My Relationships Before I Got Married?
Victim of Sexual Abuse: Should I Confess it to my Husband?
Can We Deny Having Committed Sins After We’ve Repented From Them?
Raidah Shah Idil
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.