"…Islam is out of date. It's 1400 years old, man…. And it's out of touch for today's society…" That's right… and I'm the Queens mum (…really…), Posh Spice can sing and Michael Barrymore is straight!
Listen mate, Islam is for all times and is the only faith, ideology and system, which deals with each and every aspect of life. Islam gives us a clear viewpoint on modern issues in the 21st century from abortion to homosexuality, organ transplantation to human cloning, and euthanasia to contraception. In this issue we will deal with abortion, homosexuality and promiscuity.
ARE U SEX MAD???
So, what does Islam say about promiscuity? …prom what! - errr… that's sleeping around to me and you mate, you know one night stands, the dating scene and so on .
Does it allow free sex as long as the two adult partners agree upon it, as is the case nowadays with most of the non-Muslims nations so much so that the word "adultery" has been dropped from their dictionary? Or does Islam consider sex as a filthy sin that does not suit men of God?
Neither of these extremes is accepted in Islam. It allows no sex whatsoever (…wait for it…) before or outside marriage - '..phew that was a relief..!'. Fornication and adultery are both forbidden (haram) in Islam.
We are told not to even go near it (fornication) and to lower our gaze when we come into contact with people of the opposite sex. (Sorry lads, eyeing up the birds is a big massive NO I'm afraid!)
This will be beneficial for us as it stops the chain reaction, which starts from an innocent look and ends with 'do you want to come in for a coffee' …if you know what I mean.
'Yeah right! That all sounds hunky dori, but this is the real world and we're in Britain not Saudi Arabia', you're thinking. Carry on reading and you'll find out why Britain (and the West) is suffering because of ignoring these divine rules.
Firstly the restriction imposed by Islam on sleeping around with whom ever you happen to fancy willy nilly, may seem unfair and sad to the modern dude. Lets examine a society where sleeping around with as many people as you can is encouraged, just outside your front door….
What do we see, are people happier because they are fully exercising their sexual freedom? Well actually due to this culture of so-called sexual freedom we see many problems that plague society.
I'll just refresh your memory: sexual diseases such as Aids, teenage pregnancies, single parent families, broken marriages (with in a year), broken families, rape, child abuse, homosexuality…. Shall I continue….erm paedophilia,….'ok!, ok! You've made your point'!
We're all aware of the sorry state of the western society with regards to sexuality. Now by keeping this in mind one understands that the rules set down by Islam are not merely there to oppress sexual freedom, but they are there in order to avoid problems like those mentioned above. Oh ri…….ght!
Islam honours sex in marriage and raises it to a high standard. When a Muslim gets married he secures one half of his faith thanks to this contract. So sex in Islam is not at all a filthy sin as long as it is inside marriage.
Not only this but a Muslim is rewarded even when he gratifies this desire- now c'mon what more do you want!! In one tradition the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "To cohabit with your wife is charity."
Hearing this the Companion asked: "O Messenger of Allah. Is it possible that each one of us will be rewarded when he satisfies his sexual desire?" He said: "Yes indeed." Therefore, the Messenger of Allah concluded: "When he satisfies it lawfully he will be rewarded for it." (Narrated by Muslim).
Islam encourages married partners to have sex and instructs both partners to not to refuse to have sex when their partner wishes to. (Now you're talkin') Nowadays fornication and promiscuity is a disease spreading worldwide. Check out the facts:
Research has shown that promiscuity increases the risk of genital infections including syphilis and gonorrhoea, cancer of the cervix…who are the when they're at home! They're whats known in plain English as sexually transmitted diseases-STD's (1), and not forgetting AIDS (2).
The incidence of HIV in heterosexuals is also rising. Promiscuity is one of the reasons why the UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe and six times that of the Netherlands.
Each year, around 56,000 babies are born to teenage mothers in Britain with nearly 8,000 conceived by girls under 16.(3)
So, the west says use a condom, Islam says no sex before marriage. Islam is the best and only solution to solve the 'sexual' problems of today.
IS U A BATTY BOY?
'…It's my life…and anyway its not my fault I'm attracted to people of the same sex. You religious nutters are so narrow-minded. It's the 21st century for Gods Sake…'.
That's the favourite argument of homosexuals and their supporters. So what's the Muslim stand point on this. How do we possibly argue and answer to these kind of people in this day and age. Islam is crystal clear on this as it is clearly and openly discussed in the Quran and Sunnah (example of Prophet Muhammad). Dig this:
Homosexuality is totally forbidden (haram) in Islam- no surprises there then eh. The Quran clearly states: "We also sent Lut : He said to his people :
"Do you commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For you practice your lusts on men in preference to women: you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." (Quran 7:80-81)
There are many people today, sadly including some Muslims, who practise homosexuality and then deny that there is anything wrong with it. The above quote makes it crystal clear that there is no place for homosexuality in Islam.
This is enough for the practising Muslim but probably not enough for the secular Muslim and obviously isn't enough for the non-Muslims. So here is a summary of the scientific evidence that shows the harmful effects of homosexuality and further supports the Islamic viewpoint.
NOW FOR THE SCIENCE BIT!
HIV is the name of the virus which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome '… I knew that!') for which there is still no cure. In Europe, the first wave of HIV infection was amongst homosexual men (4).
HIV can be passed on by unprotected sex, condoms make intercourse more safer, but they can tear, this is more likely during anal intercourse- '..did the geezer just say what I think he said'! (5). Two thirds of homosexual men have anal intercourse whereas only 10 percent of heterosexual couples regularly do. (6 ).
A study in the UK last year showed that HIV is rising among homosexual men (7). Some homosexuals argue that they cannot help the way they are attracted to members of the same sex and use the excuse that homosexuality is genetic.
So now lets see what the scientists have to say: A study at the University of Western Ontario (in Canada) by neurologist Dr. George Rice was published in 1999 (8).
He researched homosexual brothers from 48 families. He found that they were no more likely to share similar genetic patterns than would have been the odds from pure chance. 'This and other recent scientific reports have proven that homosexuality is not caused by genetics'. (9)
Ruth Hubbard, a leading professor of biology at Harvard University in America was asked "Is there any scientific evidence that you know of that would support the genetic link...for the cause of homosexuality? This was her answer: "I don't think we're talking about biology. I think we're talking about social characteristics rather than biological characteristics when we talk about homosexuality." (10)
You've heard it from the professor of one of the most senior, professional and well-respected institutions worldwide. No… she's not a Muslim!
If a Muslim is involved in this activity then basically he needs to think long and hard about what he/she is up to and basically turn to Allah, ask for His forgiveness (taubah) and guidance and basically read the shahadah again (declaration of faith) to purify their faith.
THE RIGHT TO KILL OR THE RIGHT TO LIVE?
Is it true that women have full control over their bodies and they can have abortion anytime they wish? Or does Islam agree with those who say: "No, the foetus is a human being and has full human rights"? It has the right to live and to be protected. So it is a crime to have abortion? How does Islam look at this issue?
In Chapter of Al-Maidah of the Holy Quran (5:32) we are told that in the sight of Allah, killing a human is a very serious matter. Abortions are sometimes carried out because parents think that they will not be able to provide financially for their child. In response to this the Holy Quran states:
"Say: Come, I will rehearse what God has really prohibited you from. Join nothing as equal with Him; be good to your parents, kill not your children on a plea of poverty; We provide sustenance for you and for them; approach not shameful deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which God has made sacred, except by a way of justice and law. (Chapter 6, Verse 151).
"Do not slay your children for fear of poverty. We shall provide for them and for you." (Surah Al-Isra (17:31)
However, Islam does make an exception that when the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, an abortion may be performed and in this case it is best done before 120 days as this is when the angel blows life into the baby's soul.
Islam tells us that the foetus is the creation of Almighty Allah, no one not even the mother, has the right to get rid of it, except for the above circumstances. Also one should be clear and make a distinction between abortion and contraception, the former is 'no-way ho-zay' whilst the latter is 'OK'.
THE SCIENCE BIT…AGAIN - PAY ATTENTION!
Abortion is the loss of a pregnancy before 24 weeks gestation (..don't even ask..) and it is stated that worldwide 30% of pregnancies are terminated (11).
The 1967 and 1990 Human Fertilization and Embryology act allows termination before 24 weeks if this "..reduces the risk to the woman's life or to her physical or mental health or of adverse health to her existing children or of the baby being seriously handicapped."
Proven complications of abortion include: cervical injury, 200% increased risk of miscarriage after two or more abortions, 160% increased risk of tubal pregnancy, decrease in fertility, infection and an increased risk of breast cancer (12).
This should be enough to stop anyone from carrying about abortions willy nilly and understand the Islamic viewpoint.
Some astonishing facts about abortion
(13): * 97% of abortions are performed on healthy babies * Recent statistics show abortion figures have increased by 14% * Nearly 200,000 abortions are performed in England, Scotland and Wales each year * Roughly 42% of all baby girls are aborted, against only 25% of baby boys (Planned Parenthood data). * In Bombay out of 8,000 abortions performed only one baby was male
Abortion is a big problem in the West and Islam has a clear solution for it. Promiscuity leads to the problem of abortion, and because Islam gives you the perfect method and solution to sexual relationships a Muslim society is always free of the problems of abortion.
Till the end of time!
For humanity to be saved from all the problems of modern civilization, it has to follow the laws of Islam in all issues. We can safely say that Islam's attitude towards sex including homosexuality and abortion is the middle and the best attitude.
Islam has come to us from the creator of the universe that is why its teaching and guidance is perfect and complete for all nations for all times. The question, which is knocking on, the door of every single human in the 21st century is: 'Isn't it time you tried to solve the problems of life by following the teachings of Islam?'
Footnotes:
- Oxford handbook of clinical specialties, by J.A.B.Collier, J.M. Longmore and T.J.Hodgetts
- Clinical Medicine, by P. Kumar and M.Clarke
- The Guardian, Rebecca Allison and Sarah Hall, Thursday February 22, 2001
- See footnote 2.
- Being positive living with HIV, by the Health Education Authority
- British Medical Journal 1999; 318:452-455 .13 February by Dr Robin Bell
- Grulich, A. 2000. HIV risk behaviour in gay men: on the rise? BMJ 320: 1487-1488
- Canadian Journal of Science
- "Life Issues" July 27, 1999
- This conversation took place at the Cambridge, Massachusetts's home of Ruth Hubbard on October 10, 1993, following the conclusion of the Out Write '93 (Gay and Lesbian Writer's Conference) in Boston. Frank R Aqueno asked the questions.
- See footnote 1.
- JAMA 1996. 283-287
- (WHO Report)
©The Revival 2001