I am an unmarried, 18 year-old female Muslim. I have committed the sinful act of having sex before marriage. Now I realize my mistake and I deeply regret what I have done and with all my heart repent. I am confused as to what to think? I seek Allah's Forgiveness, but I don't know not what to do? Kindly guide me.

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

First of all, you should know that Zina (fornication or adultery) is among the grave major sins and Allaah warned us against it. Allaah 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]

Whoever has committed such a sin must sincerely repent to Allaah immediately and not tell anybody about it and he/she should conceal himself/herself since Allaah did not disclose him, even if one is in a country where the Hadd (corporal punishment imposed by Islamic law) is imposed as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever happens to commit any of these filthy things, should conceal himself with the screen of Allaah.” [Al-Haakim and Al-Bayhaqi, and As-Sayooti classified it as authentic and Al-‘Iraqi classified it as Hassan]

For more benefit on sincere repentance, please refer to Fataawa 81467, 82598 and 83145.

If you sincerely repent, then Allaah is most merciful. Allaah Says (what means): {Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning] do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”} [Quran 39:53]

So, you should conceal yourself with the screen of Allaah and repent to him, and you should know that among the conditions of a sincere repentance is that you should firmly intend not to commit this abominable sin again.

As for the ways, that may help you stay away from Zina, we suggest the following:

1.   To marry! If you are not able to marry then you should fast, the Prophet   said: “O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.” [Al-Bukhari]

2.   To lower your gaze from looking at non-Mahram men, Allaah Says (what means): {And tell the believing women to lower their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof....} [Quran 24:31]

3.   To keep away from all erotic scenes and places and from any environment where you could be tempted.

4.   To strive hard to be patient and steadfast. Allaah Says (what means): {And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allaah enriches them of His Bounty. …} [Quran 24:33] The Prophet said: “Whoever seeks chastity Allaah will make him chaste and whoever seeks help from none but Allaah, He will Help him, and whoever is patient, He 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 Allaah, Allaah answers his supplications. Allaah 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]

We ask Allaah to enable you to repent and protect you from the apparent and hidden trials.

Allaah Knows best.