I have converted a few years ago but last year I really lost myself. I still believe in Allah but I did many bad things that I truly regret. I had committed Zina. I want to know what I should do about it. Alhamdulillah, I don't do this anymore. I heard that the punishment is 100 lashes? Is that true? But I don't live in a Muslim country. And furthermore is it permissible for me to ever marry?

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.

First of all, we thank and praise Allah Who guided you to Islam and we ask Him to make you firm and steadfast on His Religion until the Day you meet Him.

We advise you to seek beneficial knowledge, perform good deeds and befriend righteous and pious people.

In fact Islam is the greatest favor of Allah upon any person since it is only Islam that ensures the success and happiness in this life and the Hereafter. We ask Allah to make you, us and all the Muslims steadfast on His religion till we meet Him.

As you know, Zina (fornication or adultery) is among the major sins. In this concern Allah Says (what means): {And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.} [Quran 17:32]

So, you must repent towards Allah immediately; for the conditions of repentance and how to repent, please refer to Fataawa: 81467, 83904 and 84637.

As regards the means that may help you to stay away from Zina, then we suggest the following:

1. To marry and if you are not able to marry, then you should fast; the Prophet said: "O young people, whoever is able to marry should marry as it helps him lower his gaze and protect his private parts (from committing illegal sexual intercourse), and whoever is not able to marry, he should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual desires." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2. To lower the gaze from looking at non-Mahram women; Allah Says (what means): {Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.} [Quran 24:30].

3. To stay away from all erotic pictures or films or scenes or places and avoid any environment where you could be tempted.

4. To strive hard to be patient and steadfast. Allah Says (what means): {But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty…} [Quran 24:33]. Besides, the Prophet said: “Whoever seeks chastity, Allah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks help from none but Allah, Allah will Help him, and whoever is patient, Allah will make it easy for him, and no one has been given anything better than patience”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

5. To supplicate: Whoever supplicates Allah, Allah never neglects his supplications. Allah Says (what means): {And your Lord says, Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.} [Quran 40:60].

Hence, you should ask Allah to protect you from the apparent and hidden afflictions.

As regards the punishment of Zina (adultery or fornication), it varies from a married person to an unmarried one.

The punishment for adultery (i.e. a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse) or any person who had been married before is to be stoned to death.

The punishment for a fornicator (an unmarried person) is to be flogged hundred stripes (whether it is a man or a woman) and he/she also should be exiled from the place where he committed the sin for one year.

However, the punishment for Zina (adultery) will not be carried out till the Zina is proved in front of a Muslim ruler. But if a person commits Zina and Allah conceals his sin, then it is better for him to conceal his sin too while making sincere repentance to Allah. In this case, he does not deserve the punishment.

Finally, with regard to the marriage of a fornicator, it is not only desirable for him to marry as soon as possible; rather, it is recommended for him/her to marry in order to avoid indulging in illicit sexual acts in the future.

Allah knows best.