What should a man do with his wife after she has confessed to him that she committed unlawful sexual intercourse?

The questioner : A woman confessed to her husband that she committed the sin of unlawful sexual intercourse; what must he do? Should he keep her or divorce her?

The Shaykh : If he is pleased with her in terms of her religion, and it was merely a slip of the devil, and she has repented and turned back to Allah, then he may keep her, and he may divorce her. But what is the stronger position? It varies depending on this wife’s relationship with him. If she is righteous, prays, fasts, and is dutiful, and so on, but her foot slipped and she fell into unlawful sexual intercourse and this sin, then it is permissible for him to keep her if she confessed and repented to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). However, if she is constantly looking for opportunities, then there is fear of her.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : Is that clear?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : A man from among the Sufis.

The Shaykh : The time for questions has arrived.

The questioner : I mean, quickly, because these are trivial matters. May Allah bless you.

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, they say... hehehe...