I proposed to marry a lady I came across and after the agreement she told me she is not a Virgin due to her previous relationship. but she said she has sincerely repented and is never going back to it. what is you advise for me. should I go ahead and marry her or I should leave her for a Virgin as am a Virgin myself

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If it is proven to you that she has sincerely repented, that she has a good conduct, and has made sure that she is not pregnant, then there is no harm on you in marrying her.

For more benefit on the ruling of marrying a woman who has committed Zina (fornication or adultery), please refer to Fatwa 82718.

It is not a shame to marry a non-virgin woman. Most of the wives of the Prophet were non- virgin, and his only wife who was virgin was ‘Aa'ishah .

However, marrying a pious virgin woman is better for you.

Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah narrated: “I married a woman during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah . I met the Prophet and he asked me: 'O Jaabir, have you married?' I said, 'Yes.' He said: 'A virgin or one previously-married?' I said, 'A previously-married woman.' Whereupon, he said: 'Why did you not marry a virgin with whom you could play?' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I have sisters and I like that I marry a woman who could gather with them, comb their hair, and take care of them.'" [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

What is meant by the expression ‘Why did you not marry a virgin’, is explained in another narration by Muslim, which reads: “Why didn't you marry a virgin who would amuse you and you would amuse her, and who would play with you and you would play with her?”

Nonetheless, the Hadeeth indicates that the interest may sometimes be in marrying a non-virgin woman and not a virgin one.

For more benefit on the preference of marrying a virgin woman, please refer to Fataawa 19926 and 385519.

Allah knows best.