Is It Permissible to Ask a Convert about Their Sexual History?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

What is the ruling on asking a convert about their sexual history prior to Islam for marriage interest? I recognize that Muslims hide their sins from one another but would this apply to life before Islam, especially if it could impact matters like marriage or other transactions?

Answer

Thank you for your question. A convert has the right to hide his history from others.

Non-Muslim Past

A man’s actions prior to Islam have been forgiven, except for financial rights that he owes another. He has a right to keep his past where it belongs, and not to dig up his past mistakes and embarrass himself in front of others. If Allah wipes out all that came before his Islam, why would a prospective spouse not be able to forgive it or ignore it? If Allah can forgive it and give him a clean slate, a prospective spouse should be able to do the same.

Please see the details of not exposing one’s sins here:
Can One Lie About Past Sins?
Are There Valid Reasons to Reveal Sins?
Is It Permissible to Lie In Order to Conceal Past Sins?

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[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, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.