Suitor not obliged to tell fiancée he might be sterile

24-10-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I am 23 years old, and I have varicocele on my left testis. I have read your fatwa which is related to it (varicocele). Part of your answer in the fatwa was that: Sterility (which might result from varicocele), even if confirmed, is not an hindrance to marriage. I have seen my doctor for it, and he said that there is no need for a surgical (cure) yet as sterility is not confirmed since I am not yet married and everything could be fine (fertilization can occur) even with it (varicocele). My wuestion is: what is the rulings of telling one's fiancee about unascertained matters like this? Having children, even for people without this issue, is also not ascertained, and only Allah knows. Is it halal not to tell her about it? I feel it would be rare to find a woman who would accept to marry me knowing that I have this issue. May Allah reward you.

---

Answer:

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.

There is no harm on you to keep your condition and the probability that you might be sterile secret, especially given that it is a doubtful matter and that it is not certain.

Moreover, even if sterility is confirmed, then you are not obliged to inform about it, according to the view of most scholars. It is only recommended.

The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads, “It is desirable for whoever is sterile to inform the other party about it before the (marriage) contract, but one is not obliged to do so.”

Allah knows best.