Can a man never become pure after having intercourse with a washerwoman’s daughter?

Question

I had intercourse with the daughter of a Muslim washerwoman, and now I am ashamed. I have heard that one who has intercourse with a washerwoman’s daughter never becomes pure and is no longer fit for prayer or fasting. Is what people say true? Can a person become pure or not? And what is the way to attain purity?

Answer

Whether it is a washerwoman’s daughter or anyone else’s — as long as a nikah has not been concluded with her in accordance with the Shari‘a, having intercourse with her is haram; it is fornication (zina) and a major sin (kabira). It is necessary to repent (tawba) with sincere remorse of heart.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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