Will Allah Ever Forgive My Grave Sin?
I’m not proud of anything I’m about to share, and I ask that you don’t repeat my errors. Years ago, I was in a relationship with a woman for three years, and we eventually became intimate, which became a regular part of our lives. The situation turned unhealthy, but we were both planning to study in France. We went through the whole application process together-language exams, visa steps, everything. I was approved and got my visa, but she wasn’t. She was sad but still supported me and was happy for my success. That summer was our last few months together before I moved. As our intimacy was frequent, we sometimes used protection and sometimes didn’t, though we generally tried to be careful. The time came for me to go back to my hometown to spend the last month with my family, while she stayed alone in her city. Before I left, I noticed her period was late, but we didn’t worry much because that happened sometimes. A week after I left, she texted me that a home pregnancy test was positive. I was in shock-I could barely stand after reading her message. She followed up with a blood test, and a few days later, she confirmed she was pregnant. I felt torn apart: on one hand, I had finally achieved my dream of studying abroad, and it was about to slip away. On the other hand, my wife-to-be was carrying my child. I was in a difficult spot, so I told her I needed to see the proof because I thought she might be lying. She refused to send any pictures or results, just kept saying I had to take responsibility. After some days, I told her I couldn’t handle being a father then-I had no money to support a child-and I asked her to have an abortion. After many tears, arguments, and pain, she agreed on the condition that I’d pay for everything. She went through with it and called me weeping, saying she’d never forgive me and that what happened was my fault and that Allah would punish me. I apologized and wished her well, and we never spoke again. Five years have passed. I’m still in France, I almost got married but it didn’t work out, and I’ve faced many struggles. But one thing haunts me every night: the abortion. The guilt of knowing I ended the life of my own child at just a few weeks old is eating me alive. I keep asking myself, will Allah ever forgive me? Will I be punished in hell? Will my child be waiting for me on the Day of Judgment? This regret makes me feel like I don’t even deserve to have children of my own. I’m lost and don’t know what to do.