The effect on the nikah of running away to a non-Muslim

Question

Question: After her wedding Hinda lived with her husband for six months, then one night she ran away. She was searched for extensively and was found at the home of a Hindu youth; then she was brought back and handed over to her father. Has her Islam remained intact or not? Is this girl fit to be kept or not?

Answer

If she did not commit shirk and kufr, then despite this base act she has not left Islam. If the husband wishes to keep her, he may keep her; and she should make firm repentance (and refrain) from such an act in future.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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