Will my marriage break if I cheated on my wife?

Question

Assalamu Alaikum

Dear Sheikh

A Muslim married man, lives far away from his wife. He did not meet his wife for years. Under the influence of shytan he once committed jinah (sexual intercourse) with another non-Muslim women. Now he wants to know according to Islamic law is his marriage is broken with his Muslim wife?

Two important things to consider:

1. He did not tell his wife about this

2. He did sincerely repent (tawbah) that he will not repeat this crime

This brother is going through immense distress about this. He's worried if his marriage with his wife is damages anyhow according to Islamic laws? He feels bad about this sin everyday.

Please answer the question according. Jazakallah

Ebrahim Ibn Ahmed Dadan · Accepted Answer

Wa Alaykumus Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Respected brother in Islam,

We take note of the content of your email.

Indeed, adultery is a major sin that is punishable by being stoned to death. If an unmarried person commits fornication that is punishable with a hundred lashes.

Allah ﷻ says in the Quraan:

Translation: Lash the (unmarried) woman and (unmarried) man who commit fornication one hundred times. And let not pity for them withhold you from a matter ordained by Allahﷻ.

It is also pleasing to note that you understand the gravity of the sin and deeply regret that. If you have made sincere Tawbah, indeed Allah ﷻ is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.

Allah Ta’ala says:

Translation: Whosoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms his ways, then verily Allah Ta’ala is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.

Brother, whilst you should exercise restraint from all sins, it is natural for a person to fulfil his carnal desires. More so when one is already married. You state you live far away from your wife. Do not trust your Nafs and Shaytaan. You should consider being with your wife to save yourself from the tricks of the Nafs and Shaytaan.

Nevertheless, if a married person has committed adultery, that will not affect his Nikah with his wife.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best

Ebrahim Ibn Ahmed Dadan

Student Darul Iftaa
Pietermaritzburg South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

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