Fatwa No. 40 — p. 68
Question:
Honourable Shaykh — I am in a serious relationship with a young woman and intend to propose to her soon. However, she has told me that she suspects she may have lost her hymen(virginity
)in a car accident that occurred two years ago — which I personally witnessed — due to bleeding she suffered in the private area. She says she does not wish to visit a specialist out of fear that she has indeed lost it and would not be able to bear the shock. I am frankly uncomfortable with this situation — particularly given that we come from a very conservative Tunisian family. Am I obligated to leave her on account of this doubt? Please advise us, Doctor — and may Allah reward you with goodness.
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabb al-ʿālamīn. To proceed:
I hope that this relationship has not been conducted in isolation from the family and maḥārim — for there is no place for a private relationship between a man and a woman outside the framework of marriage or the bond of unmarriageability (maḥramiyyah).
The foundational principle is that the affairs of a Muslim are presumed innocent and sound at face value (ẓāhir al-salāmah). Since you yourself witnessed the accident you describe — which you indicate caused the bleeding — there is nothing that necessitates anxiety or suspicion.
And even supposing she had fallen into something sinful in the past and then repented to Allah Most High — Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and pardons evil deeds, as He — Exalted and Majestic — said “And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons evil deeds.” (1) And the Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The one who repents from sin is like one
who has no sin.” (2)
If this young woman is righteous, of good religion and character — do not trouble yourself with these negative thoughts. Combine in your matter both consultation (istishārah) and the prayer of seeking divine guidance (istikhārah) — and when you have resolved upon a course, place your trust in Allah.
And Allah Most High knows best.
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Footnotes (Takhrīj):
(1) Sūrat al-Shūrā (42:25) —Cited previously with full reference; see Fatwa No. 11 of Batch One.
(2) Recorded by Ibn Mājah in Kitāb al-Zuhd, chapter “Mention of Repentance,” ḥadīth no. 4250 — on the authority of Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him). Also recorded by al-Bayhaqī in Shuʿab al-Īmān and cited by al-Mundhirī in al-Targhīb wa-l-Tarhīb. Al-Albānī graded it ḥasan in Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah.
