What is the ruling on a man marrying a woman who turned out to be a Thayyib (a non-virgin) — after the M'azun (marriage official) had attested that she was a virgin — subsequent to them having aborted their illegitimate pregnancy, and will sincere repentance relieve them of despair, and what is the expiation for the abortion?

Your marriage is valid as long as it has fulfilled the legitimate conditions and pillars, and the registrar's statement that "the woman is a virgin" has no effect.

Regarding abortion, if the mother did not perform it herself but a doctor did, she must repent. However, if the mother performed it herself by drinking medicine or similar, she must pay the diyah (blood money) for the fetus, which is one-tenth of the mother's diyah.

To overcome despair and have good expectations of Allah, reflect on the words of Allah Almighty: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" (Az-Zumar: 53).

As the Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "Allah said: 'O son of Adam, as long as you invoke Me and hope in Me, I will forgive you for what you have done, and I do not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky, then you sought My forgiveness, I would forgive you, and I do not mind. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and then meet Me, not associating anything with Me, I would come to you with forgiveness as great as it.'"

And Allah loves those who repent and rejoices in their repentance, and He transforms their evil deeds into good ones. Repentance erases the effect of sin, as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "The one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin."