Islamic faith's guidance on sexual and reproductive health matters
Islamic faith's guidance on sexual and reproductive health matters |
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Key words: Islamic faith; sexuality; marriage; polygamy; culture
Introduction
More than one quarter of the world population are Muslims who are the followers of Islam. There are sixty million Muslims in Western Europe and over one million live here in the United Kingdom. It is important that Islamic views on sexual matters receive serious considerations at social and institutional level - such as at school, college, university, place of employment, social and recreational place, etc. Young Muslims growing up in Britain are often faced with conflicting advice about sexual matters from parents at home, friends and peers outside at social meetings. Islamic sexual and moral codes are strictly guided by the teaching from "The Qur'an" (heavenly message from God) scripted in book format, and "The Hadith" - life practice and teaching from prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Advice about sexual and moral code are very important in Islamic teachings and fundamentals of life. It is believed that strong moral code and disciplined sexual behaviour are very essential for stable social structure and fairness in social living. In Islamic faith, sex and sexual expression are permitted only in the context of marriage between men and women. In this article I shall explain some of Islamic teaching about sexual activity and sexual morality which may help to turn the tide against ever increasing marital breakdown, teenage pregnancy, creation of social underclass and insecurity for a large section of the population.
Sexuality, marriage and divorce
Heterosexual relationship is permissible between men and women within marriage. Marriage is called "NIKHA" which can only take place between a man and a woman after fulfilment of the following requirements:-
The bride`s consent must be sought and given;
The man must be of sound mind;
The bride must be of marriageable age;
The marriage gift as token of love (MAHR) must be given by husband to wife and be accepted;
The marriage must be proclaimed.
Marriage is sacred, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "He who does not marry is not one of us (1). Therefore it is his Sannah (Practice) to get married.
About Marriage, it is said, "Marry a woman of your choice, two or three or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice (2). Homosexuality or same sex relationships are forbidden in Islam.
Talaq (divorce) denotes the legal method whereby a marriage is brought to an end. In divorce there is a provision for three months cooling off period (three normal menstrual cycles) for the divorce to take effect. There are different kinds of Talaq which allows different provisions:
a) Talaq Raje - where divorce is revocable and reconciliation is permissible;
b) Talaq Ba`in - where divorce is irrevocable and reconciliation is not permissible in the present marriage contract.
With regards to divorce, the prophet (peace be upon him) said that is was made permissible by Allah but it is also something disliked most by him. Muslims are conditioned never to contemplate divorce, in a non-chalant or joking manner. (3).
Contraception, pregnancy and abortion
The use of contraception between husband wife to plan the family for valid reasons are permissible, but not with other male/female partners outside the marriage. Heterosexual relationships between man and woman are permitted within marriage. Pregnancy as a result of sexual consummation within marriage is welcoming news for the prospective parents and fully approved by Islamic religious code. Since dawn of human life union between Adam and Eve with the approval of their creator God, the first offspring was born on earth and human race rolled on all over the world with the creation of the present civilisation. (4). Artificial insemination by husband to his wife is permissible but not from any other male donor. (5). After a foetus is completely formed, and has been given a soul, abortion is forbidden except to save a woman`s life, or for gross foetal abnormality within 12 weeks of pregnancy (3).
Adultery and prostitution
Zina is unlawful sexual contact between men and women outside marriage. The word Zina originally meant the displaying of both beauty and artificial ornament. "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty". Allah says - "Do not consider adultery, for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road to other evils. (3)
Islamic Law on adultery is almost identical to that of Jewish Law (Dent XX1111 22 and Lev XIX 20) Taurat. In the early days of Islam, and Prophet`s mession, the punishment for adultery and fornication was much more severe then than now. Once the crime was proven, the woman was confined in house till death. Married men with adulterous relation with married women used to be stoned to death (Muslim). This was later substituted by lapidation for adultery. Islamic Law requires the evidence of four reliable witnesses or self confession to Zina. The woman and the man guilty of adultery and fornication each get flogged with a hundred stripes. The quotation is "let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter proscribed by Allah. (4)
Like other forms of unlawful sexual activity, prostitution is forbidden in Islam. But sometimes economic slaves and captives were forced into prostitution by their masters against their wishes. The following verse from Qur'an narrates - "Force not your maids to prostitution when they (slaves) desire chastity, in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this life, as Allah is often forgiving, and most merciful to them. (7).
Polygamy
From a historical point of view, we find that polygamy was a common feature of life. The main reason for allowing polygamy has been to remove illicit intercourse with its antisocial ill effects on the society. The following Qur'anic verse does project a sense of responsibility over the issue in the sense that if one is not able to perform justice, then he should have only one wife. "Marry one woman; two, three or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly then only one, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice". (7).
Why is marriage to more than one woman permitted in Islam? In special cases where women outnumbered men or a wife cannot bear children, the man is permitted to retain his first wife with all her rights guaranteed and marry a second. This is better than a man who has several girlfriends but without any legal or moral accountability.
Young muslim (boys and girls) growing up in western culture
Most of the migrant Muslims settled in the UK, Western Europe or America are from Africa or Asia. Their children who are born here are second or third generation British Muslims, with full allegiance and identity to their country of birth.
Islamic code of sexual behaviour between boys and girls once they have attained adulthood, is guided by teaching from Qur'an and Sunnah which is quite different from what is available outside their homes. Muslim dress code for girls stipulates that the entire body should be covered for modesty, except the face and hands.
Adult boys and girls should not have private sittings without the supervision of close relatives (MOHRM) to guard against sexual temptation. Islamic code of social behaviour says that when two adults of opposite sex meet, they should not look at each other with lust and desire, and to lower their gazes. Islam has prohibited sex outside marriage. It has also prohibited anything which leads to or makes it attractive, such as seductive clothing, private meetings, disco-dancing or night club outings. Others include casual meeting of men and women, the depiction of nudity, pornographic videos or magazines, obscene songs and so on.
Comments
Islamic codes of sexual behaviour between adult men and women advocates restraint and limits contact within marriage and prescribes severe punishment to anyone who breaks the law. Christianity and Jewish religion also recommend that sexual contact be limited to within marriage and condemns adulterous relationships. This may be seen as standard religious doctrine in all major religions to safeguard the security of the social structure. It also helps to continue the advancement of human race and human civilisation. The existence of homosexual relationships is recognised by Islamic faith buts its practice is banned. Large scale acceptance of homosexual practices may lead to extinction of the human race.
Restricted polygamous relationships between men and women within marriage are advocated in Islam with strict codes of sexual behaviour with provision of appropriate punishment if broken. This recognises and accommodates inherent human sexual weakness. There is provision for the protection of women`s rights within the marriage and protection for the children. The woman also has the right to demand equal share of physical and emotional attention. Any faint-hearted male doubtful about his ability for equal treatment of more than one wife, is well advised to restrict himself to one wife. This is to avoid punishment on the judgement day.
Western media makes a big issue out of Islam`s recommendation of restricted polygamy within marriage. Liberal sexual practices and promiscuity within and outside marriage are ruining the social fabrics in Western Europe and America. The weekly Time magazine reports from France (9), that French men had an average of 11.3 sex partners during their lifetimes, while the women averaged 3.4 partners. The same magazine reported that "Love and Marriage" were no longer a cool combination (10). German men boasted: "He who sleeps twice with the same woman is part of the establishment".
Conclusion
Islamic moral code on sexual practices has a lot to contribute to the British way of life as multicultural Britain. The media should take a responsible attitude when reporting non-Christian religious faith, their religious and social cultural practices. Young British Muslims should be proud to practice their religious faith, unique moral and sexual discipline to strengthen their character and establish them in the society.
References
Al-Hadith, Bukhari, Nikah, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Al-Qu`ran, Surah-Nisa 4:3, Nikah, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Al-Qur`an, Surah-Bari Isra`il, 17:32, Zina, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Al-Qur`an, Surah-Nur 24:2, Zina, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Why is marriage to more than one woman permitted in Islam. 1000 Questions on Islam, Dr M I Elmasry.
Abortion, 1000 Questions on Islam, Dr M I Elmasry.
Prostitution, Al-Qur'an, Surah Nur,24:33, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Restricted Polygamy, Al-Qur`an, Surah-Nisa, 4:3, A-Z Guide to the Qur`an.
Sex: Who`s counting? Time, The Weekly News Magazine, June 12 2000.
Rebels Without a Cause, Time, The Weekly News Magazine. August 16, 1999.
©2000 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express Print Works, Middlesbrough,
UK
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