The first principle is that Islam strongly encourages concealing sins from which a person has sincerely repented. A person whom Allah has covered should generally not publicize his former sins, and others should not expose him merely to shame him. AMJA has affirmed this principle, stating that a person who has repented from a past sin is not ordinarily required to disclose it to a future spouse simply for the sake of recounting the past.

Likewise, scholars have cautioned against interrogating prospective spouses about every sin committed years earlier. What matters primarily is the person’s present religion, character, stability, and whether he has genuinely left his former lifestyle. Your situation, however, has an important additional dimension.

A felony conviction is not necessarily only a private sin between a person and Allah. It is also an existing legal fact that can continue to have consequences after repentance. Depending on the conviction, it may affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, housing, travel, immigration matters, financial circumstances, custody issues, or other aspects of married life.

For that reason, there is a distinction between exposing a repented sin merely to uncover someone’s past and disclosing information that has a real and continuing effect upon the rights or reasonable expectations of a prospective spouse. Islamic concealment must not become deception.

If a past matter has no continuing consequence whatsoever and the person has sincerely repented, the general principle is that it remains concealed. But where the matter could materially affect married life, the prospective spouse has a legitimate interest in knowing enough to make an informed decision.

In your case, he has already done the correct thing by informing you. The fact that he volunteered this information rather than allowing you to discover it after marriage is a positive sign of transparency. It does not prove his present character by itself, but it should be taken into account.

As for your parents, particularly your wali, I would advise that the existence of the felony conviction be disclosed before the nikah. This does not mean that every detail of his former wrongdoing needs to be narrated. There is no need to expose humiliating details, retell sins, or turn the matter into family gossip. The relevant fact can be communicated in a dignified and limited way.

In my view, it would be better for him to tell your father or wali himself rather than placing you in the position of revealing it for him. There are several benefits to this.

First, it demonstrates maturity and accountability.

Second, your parents can hear his explanation directly rather than receiving an incomplete account through you.

Third, he can answer legitimate questions about whether there are continuing legal or practical consequences.

Fourth, it avoids putting you in the uncomfortable position of appearing to conceal something significant from your family.

Your father or wali does not need every detail of the crime merely to satisfy curiosity. Reasonable questions would include when it occurred, whether there have been any subsequent convictions, whether all probation or other legal obligations have ended, whether it affects his employment or livelihood, and whether there are any continuing restrictions that would materially affect marriage or children.

There is also nothing wrong with reasonably verifying what he has told you. Marriage is a major commitment, and Islam encourages investigation of a prospective spouse’s religion and character. Verification should be respectful rather than accusatory.

The Prophet ﷺ said regarding choosing spouses:

“When someone whose religion and character you are pleased with comes to you, then marry him.”

A decade-old conviction does not necessarily define the man he is today. Some people genuinely repent and become far better after serious mistakes. Allah says:

“Except those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good.”

At the same time, repentance does not mean that a prospective spouse must ignore reasonable concerns about present consequences. Tawbah concerns a person’s relationship with Allah. Marriage also involves rights, responsibilities, safety, trust, and informed decision-making.

Therefore, I would recommend three things before proceeding.

First, evaluate who he is today rather than judging him solely by who he was more than ten years ago. Look at his prayer, honesty, temperament, work ethic, friendships, financial responsibility, treatment of family, and consistency over time.

Second, determine whether anything from the conviction still materially affects his current life. If there are ongoing consequences, those should be discussed openly.

Third, ask him to speak privately and respectfully with your father or wali before the nikah. He need not expose unnecessary details, but he should disclose the conviction itself and whatever ongoing consequences are relevant.

If he sincerely repented, has demonstrated stable good character for many years, there is no continuing danger, and you are comfortable after proper investigation and istikhārah, then the existence of an old felony conviction by itself does not make him Islamically unsuitable for marriage.

Your instinct that you do not want to begin a marriage by concealing something that is likely to emerge later is a sound one. It is much healthier for your marriage if your parents learn about it respectfully now rather than discovering it afterward and feeling that both of you intentionally withheld something significant.

The Office of the Imam of IAR would therefore advise that the matter be disclosed to the wali in a limited and dignified manner, preferably by the potential husband himself. His repented sins should not be unnecessarily exposed, but the existence of a felony record that may reasonably affect married life should not be concealed from those responsible for making an informed marriage decision.