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Being HIV Positive and Getting Married

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I committed sodomy in the past, and repented from it. Now, I have been diagnosed as HIV Positive. Has my tawba been accepted? Can I marry a woman who is HIV Negative, and have children with her?

Answer: My dear brother, wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Do not worry; I’m sure Allah has accepted your sincere repentance. It would also be permissible for you to marry someone who is HIV Negative if she knew exactly what she was getting into.

Allah Loves Our Repentance

We know from a rigorously authenticated narration that Allah is extremely pleased with us when we repent. Imagine a person saved from certain death; when this happens he says something like, “O Allah, you’re my servant and I’m your lord!“ (Muslim) Although he doesn’t experience emotions, Allah is more pleased when a believer apologises and repents than this person who is saved from certain death.

You should feel certain that Allah has accepted your repentance. If you still feel down about what you did use it as a means to keep repenting to Allah, for anything and everything. Allah loves those to frequently repent to Him. (Qur’an; 2:222). Console yourself knowing that Allah has given you the opportunity to become of those who He loves. If Allah loves you – what is there to worry about? He’ll take care of you.

As for the HIV, I feel for you. I pray Allah negates the impact of his illness and give you a long, healthy, and happy life full of good works which please Him.

Try to think of this as a test from Allah, and a means to not only having your faults removed, but to raise you. We all have tests in life, yours happens to be related to this matter. See it as a means of actually getting closer to Allah.

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “Verily, a man will have a particular rank [decreed for him] with Allah, but he is unable to reach it with deeds. So, Allah keep trying it with what he dislikes until He makes him reach that rank.” (Ibn Hibban) Every temporary difficulty you suffer in this life will lead to a permanent reward for you in the next life.

Marriage

It would be permissible for you to marry anyone as long as you told her of your continuing health issues. You do not have to disclose how you got the HIV, though. Some people contract it via improperly disposed syringes.

If she is happy to marry you after being fully aware of the potential risky then go ahead. There are medications available which could render the HIV pretty much inert, and there are options such are ‘sperm washing’ for the issue of conception. She would have to know about all of this, as her life, and the life of any potential baby are at risk. (Zarqa; Sharh al Qawa’id al Fiqhiyya).

May Allah bring you ease in your matter.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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