Feels regret for previous bad deeds

4-7-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

My question is this: a man and his fiancée hugged and kissed to the point of orgasm but never committed sexual intercourse. They committed this many times and then got married shortly after. This happened nearly five years ago, however the man feels very guilty and always makes Istighfar for this. Does the man's previous good deeds get harmed or annulled in any way?

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

A fiancé is alien to his fiancée. It is not permissible for him to stay in seclusion with her, let alone kissing, touching or hugging her. Whoever did so has to repent to Allah, The Most High.

Allah says: " And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers," till He says: "...And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful." (An-Nur 24:31)

He has to Praise and thank Allah that he did not fornicate with her (we seek refuge in Allah from that) otherwise the matter would be more serious and more abominable.

Anyway, as long as the questioner regretted what he had done and sought the forgiveness of Allah, we ask Allah to accept his repentance.

Allah says: "And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do. (Ash-Shura 42:25)

It is confirmed that a man came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and said: "O, Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), I did everything with a woman in remote place of Medina, but did not have sexual intercourse with her. I did so, and decide what you wish about me."

So Omar told him, Allah concealed your sin if only you concealed it. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) did not say anything to the man. Then the man went away. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) sent a man to call him and then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) recited on him: "And perform As-Salat (Iqâmat-as-Salât), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice). (Hud 11:114)

So a man among the people said: "Is this especially for him?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "It is for all the people." Reported by Muslim and others.

So we conclude from this Hadith that good deeds wipe out bad deeds if the person sincerely repents, and if a person commits a sin, he has to conceal it.

Allah knows best.

www.islamweb.net