Is it permissible for a Muslim woman infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), who is asymptomatic, to marry, or must she remain single?

First: We call for sincere repentance and honesty with God in abandoning forbidden acts. The door of repentance is open to whoever regrets and resolves not to return, along with seeking forgiveness, in fulfillment of His Almighty's saying: (O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. It may be that your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to Gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.")

Second: Marriage is permissible on the condition that the suitor is informed of the illness, and he is the one who decides thereafter, because the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." It is not permissible to conceal the illness, and we ask Allah for healing. For more advice on resisting sexual urges, please refer to Fatwa number (29170).