Jazak Allahu Khaiyran for the information. The past is so in the past.
In my days before Islam, the past was often a means to judge. It's where the person listening to the information appears to be sympathetic, and may well be - until the couple experiences disharmony in their relationship - then the 'information' becomes a weapon.
If, hypothetically, I were to marry and only looked for brothers who were virgins, what would that say about me?
Okay, let's see...first of all it would say that I have a high regard for those who did not have relations with women. It would say that he is clean, pure and all mine (I'll stop here, because that is not what I believe).
I realize that everyone is entitled to their preferences - personally i could never judge as only Allah can judge - but if I were to be stigmatized in my sexual view of the world, I am just as likely to have tendencies to be racist and equally as likely to judge according to economic status and classify accordingly. It is likely that I will insist that my husband keeps his waist slender and not embarrass me. People will start to talk if I don't live in a 1.5 million dollar house. His skin needs to be a certain complexion, you know how it is, living up to sociocultural norms..acceptance into these arbitrary structures guarantees happiness, aren't I entitled to happiness?
I'm not saying that people who insist of virginity are racist, as you can now direct your kind attention to my point. I am simply walking the thin line of judgement and the dangers that exist. Freeing oneself of the barriers creates unity and oneness, something that Islam encourages. It's like the 'weapon' that I had mentioned earlier - and the many forms that it can insidiously take.
perhaps if someone is looking towards the future, just as long as they have reconciled the past and are able to move forward, they should be able to without the judgement of someone who wasn't even a part of it.
