Is the marriage contract rendered void and must it be annulled if unlawful encounters occurred between the engaged couple before the marriage, and are they blameworthy for not knowing what is required before marriage?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The occurrence of zina (fornication/adultery) between the two parties and their repentance must be verified before the marriage contract is concluded. If zina occurred and they did not repent, the contract is annulled, and she must observe an ' (waiting period) of one menstrual cycle before the contract can be renewed. However, if zina occurred with repentance, or if zina did not occur at all (and it was limited to mere physical contact), then the marriage is valid, and there is no need to doubt it. Children are attributed to the father in all cases except for clear-cut zina.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/5179
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 5179
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy