Woman’s Virginity in Islam?
These days, when the word “virgin” is mentioned during marriage discussions, some women (not referring to good or modest ones) act shocked. They consider it a crime to want to marry a virgin or to inquire about a woman’s past. They claim virginity isn’t important — manners are what matter most. Some even twist Islamic teachings to justify this view.
However, Hadith clearly shows the worldly superiority of virgin women over widows when chosen as brides. So, it’s easy to understand how much more virtuous a virgin woman is compared to one with a past of immorality. (Note: This does not refer to divorced or widowed women who were tested by fate, but to those who lost their virginity before marriage due to sinful behavior.)
Relevant Hadith and Narrations:
🔹 Aisha (RA) once said to the Prophet ﷺ:
“O Messenger of Allah, imagine you arrive at a field with two trees — one has been grazed, the other untouched. Which would your camel eat from?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“From the one that hasn’t been grazed.”
The narrator explains that Aisha (RA) was indirectly referring to her own virginity, as the Prophet ﷺ had not married any other virgin woman except her.
📚 [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5077]
🔹 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“You should marry virgins. They are sweeter in speech, purer in wombs, and more content with little.”
📚 [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1861]
🔹 When Jabir (RA) married a widow, the Prophet ﷺ asked:
“Why didn’t you marry a virgin, so that you could play with her and she with you, you could laugh with her and she with you?”
When Jabir explained his reasons, the Prophet ﷺ prayed for his marriage.
📚 [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5367]
🔹 Aisha (RA) was once asked, “What kind of woman is best?”
She replied:
“The one who doesn’t understand tricks in speech, is unaware of men’s deceit, has a pure heart, beautifies herself only for her husband, and guards all aspects of her household.”
📚 [Raghib al-Asfahani, Muhadharat al-Udaba, 2/222]
This shows that men naturally prefer virgin women, and it is not a sin. Men desire a woman who preserves herself physically and emotionally for her future husband. That’s why Allah describes the maidens of Paradise (Hoor al-‘Ayn) as:
“They are [chaste] maidens sheltered in tents. Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny? No man or jinn has touched them before.”
📖 [Surah Ar-Rahman: 72–74]
“Indeed, We have created [the maidens] in a special form and made them virgins, devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age.”
📖 [Surah Al-Waqi’ah: 35–37]
About Marrying a Woman With a Past:
If a woman has betrayed her future husband’s trust (by engaging in immoral acts), she should ideally marry someone like her — someone of similar background. Allah says:
“Impure women are for impure men, and impure men are for impure women. Pure women are for pure men, and pure men are for pure women.”
📖 [Surah An-Nur: 26]
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah commented:
“An immoral woman is not lawful for a moral man to marry. A moral man cannot marry an immoral woman, because the Qur’an forbids it.”
📚 [Tafsir al-Muharrar al-Wajiz, 11/4483]
🔹 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If someone comes to you with a proposal, and you are satisfied with his religious commitment and character, then marry your daughter to him. If you don’t, there will be widespread corruption and mischief on Earth.”
📚 [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1967]
🔹 Imam Shawkani said:
“This Hadith proves that character and religiosity must be considered when evaluating compatibility in marriage.”
📚 [Nayl al-Awtar, 2/292]
So, immoral women should marry men of similar behavior. Likewise, a moral man will not be attracted to an immoral woman — only immoral men desire such women.
“A fornicator does not marry except a fornicatress or a polytheist; and none marries a fornicatress except a fornicator or a polytheist.”
📖 [Surah An-Nur: 3]
🔹 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A person who has been punished for fornication can only marry someone like him.”
📚 [Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 2052]
What If the Woman Repents?
According to scholars, if an immoral woman sincerely repents, there’s no sin in marrying her. But it is still seen as disgraceful by natural human standards, and her best option is to marry someone who knows and accepts her past.
In today’s digital age, secrets rarely stay hidden. Eventually, the truth surfaces. So it’s better not to deceive a sincere, honorable man and destroy his life.
