Q: Regarding the question about whether one should be honest when one’s wife asks about ones past, is the answer given that we should keep our sins hidden not contrary to the idea of honesty? We can keep it from others but from my limited understanding of Islam, honesty is an important pillar. I would appreciate your esteemed advice.
A: Shari’ah grants permission and instructs one to hide one’s faults and weaknesses. Revealing them to the wife can cause marital strife which is worse. ‘Lying’ or concealing in this case will be the lesser of the two harms.
Allah Ta’aala knows best.
Moulana Yusuf Laher