1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

30 Questions

I have committed Zina in the past and have repented and asked for forgiveness. Is there anything else I can do to ensure I am forgiven? Am I also required to tell my future spouse about my sin?
Zaid Alsalami

Bishimi ta'ala

I will not lecture you about God's comparison and mercy, as you must be well aware of how the Almighty forgives all sins, and cleans our slates once we turn to Him with sincere repentance. 

It is forgetting the past that you must be focusing on, and how you are able to develop a level of piety that you will enter into a new phase in your life, based on religious devotion and spiritual growth. That will not just ensure you've been forgiven, but also keep you on the straight path. 

Your sin is between you and Allah ta'ala, and you must not reveal it to anybody. From a shar'i perspective, you do not need to tell your future spouse your previous sin.

Once you have changed your ways and sincerely forgiven, and became more religiously active and aware, then you live your life normally, and think positively for the future, not allowing the past to define who you are. 

With prayers for your success. 
Is it mandatory, religiously or ethically, to open up about major depression to your future spouse and their family before marriage? If one chooses not to tell them about depression before or during married life, will that be counted as a lie or deceit?
Zoheir Ali Esmail

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. At the moment, Shii law does not consider mental health as an issue that would annul a marriage contract. However, considering the fact that marriage in the modern world is a major decision for both parties it would be wise to not hide such issues as they will inevitably come up during the course of a persons marriage at which stage your partner may feel hard done by. Especially if it is something you are not entirely over. With these situations it is helpful to put yourself in the other party's shoes and treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.

May you always be successful.
Is it permissible to engage in sexual intercourse with your spouse under the open sky if you are in a private place where nobody else can see or hear you?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes it is permissible if you are sure that no one at all can see you.

Wassalam.
Is it permissible to make Dua to marry a spouse from a different race or ethnicity on account of admiring their culture and finding them generally more attractive?
Amina Inloes

Yes