Understanding Zina After Marriage in Islam: Meaning, Consequences, and Repentance

Hi! Are you looking for an explanation of Zina after marriage in Islam? If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You're reading the right article. Why? Because that's exactly what I will explain here. As Muslims, it's essential to understand this topic, which is why I wrote this article. So, make sure to read it until the end!

There are five important things about Zina after marriage in Islam that I will explain. The five points I'm referring to are as follows:

What Does Zina After Marriage Mean in Islam?

The first key point about Zina after marriage in Islam is understanding what it means. It's important to grasp this foundational concept because it's a basic question that must be well understood.

In general, Zina after marriage in Islam refers to sexual activity carried out by a man or a woman who is already married. In Islamic legal terminology, this type of Zina is known as الزِّنَا الْمُحْصَنُ.

Read Also: What Is Zina of the Eyes?

One crucial thing to remember is that Zina after marriage in Islam is considered a very major sin. Therefore, we must strive to avoid it at all costs.

That's a brief explanation of what Zina after marriage means in Islam. As Muslims, it's important that we fully understand this.

Quran on Zina After Marriage in Islam

The second important thing about Zina after marriage in Islam that I will explain now is the Quran's teachings on this topic. I want you to understand this because it is one of the key points in this discussion that must be well understood.

The Quran is the primary reference for Muslims, and it contains clear explanations about Zina after marriage. So, before I explain further, I will quote the Quranic verse specifically related to our discussion.

As for the Quran's stance on Zina after marriage in Islam, it is as follows:

وَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ مِنكُمْ طَوْلًا أَن يَنكِحَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ فَمِن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُم مِّن فَتَيَاتِكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِكُم ۚ بَعْضُكُم مِّن بَعْضٍ ۚ فَانكِحُوهُنَّ بِإِذْنِ أَهْلِهِنَّ وَآتُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مُحْصَنَاتٍ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحَاتٍ وَلَا مُتَّخِذَاتِ أَخْدَانٍ ۚ فَإِذَا أُحْصِنَّ فَإِنْ أَتَيْنَ بِفَاحِشَةٍ فَعَلَيْهِنَّ نِصْفُ مَا عَلَى الْمُحْصَنَاتِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ الْعَنَتَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأَن تَصْبِرُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"And whoever among you cannot afford to marry free believing women, then marry believing women from among those your right hands possess (slaves). Allah knows best about your faith, for you are of one another. So, marry them with the permission of their guardians and give them a fair dowry, provided they are chaste, not promiscuous or secret lovers. If they commit indecency after marriage, they should receive half the punishment of free women. This is for those who fear falling into sin. But patience is better for you, and Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful." (An-Nisa: 25).

That's a brief explanation of the Quran's view on Zina after marriage. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Hadith on Zina After Marriage in Islam

The third important thing about Zina after marriage in Islam that I will explain is the hadith on this topic. Understanding this is essential, as it is a key part of the discussion that must be well understood.

Hadith are another primary reference for Muslims. There are explanations about Zina after marriage in hadith. Before I explain further, I will quote a hadith specifically related to our discussion.

As for the hadith on Zina after marriage in Islam, it is as follows:

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : أَتَى رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَنَادَاهُ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، فَتَنَحَّى تِلْقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ : يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ، إِنِّي زَنَيْتُ ، فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ، حَتَّى ثَنَّى ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَ مَرَّاتٍ ، فَلَمَّا شَهِدَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ دَعَاهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ : أَبِكَ جُنُونٌ ؟ قَالَ : لَا ، قَالَ : فَهَلْ أَحْصَنْتَ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اذْهَبُوا بِهِ فَارْجُمُوهُ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "A man from the Muslims came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) while he was in the mosque and called out, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have committed Zina.' The Prophet turned away from him, but the man repeated his statement four times. After the fourth time, the Prophet asked, ‘Are you insane?' The man replied, ‘No.' The Prophet then asked, ‘Are you married?' The man replied, ‘Yes.' The Prophet then said, ‘Take him and stone him.'" (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

That's a brief explanation of the hadith on Zina after marriage. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Punishment for Zina After Marriage in Islam

The fourth important thing about Zina after marriage in Islam that I will now explain is the punishment for it. Understanding this is crucial, as it is a key part of our discussion.

If we study the Quran and hadith on Zina after marriage, as mentioned earlier, we can conclude that the punishment for it is stoning to death for those who are married.

One important point to note is that the punishment of stoning to death for those who commit Zina after marriage can only be implemented in regions or countries that enforce Islamic law. The punishment cannot be applied in areas where Islamic law is not fully in effect, such as at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and certain periods after that.

That's a brief explanation of the punishment for Zina after marriage. As Muslims, we must understand this.

Repenting for Zina After Marriage in Islam

The fifth important point about committing Zina after marriage in Islam that I'm going to explain is repenting for Zina after marriage. I want you to understand this because it is one of the key aspects of our discussion that must be well understood.

Now, perhaps one of the most important questions about Zina after marriage in Islam that we must address is, "How do we repent for Zina after marriage in Islam?" I believe this is a common question that many people ask.

In the article "How to Repent from Zina," I have outlined six essential steps that must be taken by anyone who wants to repent for Zina. In my view, these are the six actions necessary for someone seeking repentance after committing Zina in Islam.

The six steps are as follows:

1. You must recognize that Zina is a major sin.
2. You must feel sincere regret for committing Zina.
3. You must make a firm promise never to commit Zina again.
4. You must perform the prayer of repentance (Salat al-Tawbah).
5. You should frequently recite Istighfar (seeking forgiveness).
6. You should regularly send Salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet.

Dear readers, that is a comprehensive explanation of Zina after marriage in Islam as I intended. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

I think that's enough for this article. May it be beneficial! Ameen!

See you again in the next article!