How to Repent from Adultery or Fornication

After we have discovered the gravity of adultery and fornication and its destructive evil consequences upon individuals and communities, we must state that sincere repentance from adultery or fornication is mandatory upon whoever has committed it or assisted others in doing so; such a person must also regret what they have done and never return to adultery or fornication again.

One who commits adultery or fornication must not turn himself in to the authorities and confess to his crime; it is enough for him to sincerely repent to Allah and keep his sin concealed.

If he possesses photographs, videos, or audio tapes of the one with whom he had this illicit sexual relation, he must destroy them all and if he gave any of these to anybody then he must retrieve them all and destroy them.

The woman who commits adultery or fornication should not stop from repenting because someone recorded the sin; she must rush to repent and not hold back from this due to threats of blackmail, because Allah is sufficient as a protector.

She must know that the one who is blackmailing her is a coward and will be exposing himself if he distributes these tapes. Which is easier, being exposed in front of the people for a short period in this life with a repentance which wipes away the sin, or in the Hereafter in front of all creation, and then go to the Hellfire as an abode?

It is recommended that she seeks the help of a wise man from her Mahaarim (her husband or any male relative whom she cannot marry from her relatives, such as her father, brother, uncle, etc.) to help her find a way out of this predicament.