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The question

What is the ruling on a relationship without a legitimate marriage, even with mutual consent and acceptance between the two parties, and with the impossibility of publicizing this marriage due to social reasons? Is an extramarital sexual relationship permissible in cases of necessity, extreme need, or coercion?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Adultery is one of the most heinous sins and greatest major offenses. The sin of a married person is more severe, and their punishment is stoning to death. A Muslim woman must immediately repent of this sin by abandoning it, regretting it, and resolving never to return to it, while concealing her own fault. She must leave any work that leads to indecency and seek lawful employment that preserves her religion and dignity, for there is no justification for committing adultery, even if it is due to a need for money. As for marriage, it has conditions and pillars, such as a guardian and witnesses. Therefore, she must separate from the young man and repent to Allah. If the young man wishes to marry, it must be through the woman's guardian. If the young man is suitable and the guardian refuses to marry her off, she may refer the matter to a judge.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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