Is someone who has been with a woman, and each of them has pledged before God to marry the other—due to financial circumstances preventing a legal marriage—considered an adulterer? If so, will their repentance be accepted in this world and the hereafter, and what are its conditions? Will the Hadd punishment of lashing be waived for them in this world? Is righteous deed a prerequisite for the forgiveness of sin, and what are the required righteous deeds?

Allah has not prescribed any way for a man to enjoy a free woman except through marriage with its legitimate conditions (guardian, witnesses, offer, and acceptance). What the man did was adultery. His statement that he pledged before Allah that she was his wife is invalid, but if he believed it to be valid, the hadd (prescribed punishment) is averted from him and the child is attributed to him. It is from the vastness of Allah's mercy that He accepts sincere repentance, as He states: "Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful." (Al-Furqan: 70), and His saying: "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).

The conditions for sincere repentance are: immediately ceasing the sin, regretting committing it, firmly resolving not to return to it, and staying away from its causes. He must conceal the woman with whom he committed adultery, and pray and seek forgiveness for her. It is incumbent upon one who has fallen into immoral acts to conceal himself, and to increase in good deeds that expiate sins, such as honoring parents, maintaining ties of kinship, prayer, charity, fasting, remembrance of Allah, and supplication. He should seek Allah's help, avoid the company of the heedless, associate with the righteous, and occupy his time with beneficial activities.