Should I Test for and Disclose an STD before Marriage?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question 

A brother had committed many sins in the past but has repented Alhamdulillah. He had taken an HIV test and came negative. But now he is worried that he has to take an std test before marriage. Should he go out of his way and get tested? If he does get tested and sees he has an STD, then disclosing it would make things hard for him in terms of marriage. Should he get tested and disclose the results?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. 

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Thank you for your question.

Based on what you have described, the person should get tested since he has reason to believe that he could have contracted an STD. He should disclose it before any possible marriages, but only to the proposed family. The woman’s family with whom he had proposed has the right to know that she may be in harm’s way, and Allah knows best.

Harm

If the sins one committed causes suspicion of an STD, then it is incumbent for the person to get tested and disclose his status to the proposed family because he may be placing the woman in harm’s way, which is unlawful. 

Allah says: “And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you.” [Qur’an 4:29] and Allah says: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction” [Qur’an 2:195]

The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Do not cause harm or return harm. Whoever harms others, Allah will harm him. Whoever is harsh with others, Allah will be harsh with him.” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja, Ahmad, and Others]

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan. 

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. He served as the resident Imam of Masjid al-Munowar in Retreat, Cape Town, for several years.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.