Does a Marriage without Repentance Count?

Answered by Shaykh Shuaib Ally

Question: I have commited fornication with a girl. We didn’t repent from it and we married in front of a islamic with witnesses but no guardians. I have divorced her three times after that. Can I marry her again due to the fact that our first marriage was without guardians nor repentance?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

A marriage carried out by an Islamic Qadi (judge) according to the principles of one of the four schools of law, such as the Hanafi school, is considered valid.

Your divorce is also legally effective, and you cannot simply remarry her.

Moreover, a marriage does not depend upon repentance of past sins from either the bride or groom.

May Allah facilitate your affairs in this life and the next.

Shuaib Ally