Islamic Perspective on Sex
Islam acknowledgesthe fact that one's sexual desire has to be satisfied in a manner pertinent to Shari'ahlaw, (i.e. through marriage). One may not satisfy his desire in any other way. Allahpraises those who abide by these laws saying:
(Successful indeed arethe believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who shun allthat which is vain. And who are active in paying the Zakah, and who guard theirchastity, except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for thenthey are not to be blamed.) (23:1-6)
Allah, the Exalted,encourages Muslims to get married, as this was a Sunnah (practice) ofall Prophets and Messengers, may Allah render them safe from every derogatorything. Allah (I) says:
(And indeed We have sent before you Messengers, and bestowed them withwives and children.) (13:38)
The Messenger ofAllah (r) also encouraged Muslims to get married and have offspring. Ma'qel b.Yasaar (y) said:
"A man came to the Messenger of Allah (r) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I am going to get married to a womanwho is of noble descent, status and is rich but she is barren. Shall I marryher? The Messenger of Allah (r) said:
'Marry the amicable and fertile woman, for I will boast (the large number of) my nation before all nations (on the Day ofResurrection).'” (Abu Dawood)
Islam has orderedMuslims to assist the one who wants to get married immediately. Abu Hurairah (y) reported that the Messenger of Allah (r) said:
'If you are approached by a man (whose manners and Deenyou are satisfied with) then get him married; for if you do not, Fitnah[trials and strife] and evil will prevail.' (Haakim)
Islam encouragesguardians to make matters that relate to marriage uncomplicated. The Messengerof Allah (r) said:
‘A sign of woman's Barakah [i.e.goodness] is ease in her engagement, dowry and labor [i.e. child birth]. (Haakim)
Islam commandsMuslims to get married and not fear poverty. Allah (I) says:
(And marry those among you who are single [i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband] and [alsomarry] the salihun [pious, fit and capable ones] of your [male]slaves and maid-servants. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of Hisbounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing [aboutthe state of the people].) (24:32)
The Prophet (r) said:
‘Allah will surely help three people; the mujaahid[Muslimfighter] in the path of Allah, the one who marries inorder to safeguard himself and to seek chastity, and the ِslave who seeks to buy his freedom.’ (Haakim)
Islam orders thosewho cannot afford to marry because of financial reasons, to keep chaste.
Allah (I) says:
(And those who find no means of marriage should keep themselves chaste,until Allah grants them means out of His bounty.) (24:33)
In Islam, youth areordered to get married as soon as possible. The Prophet (r) has informed us what one must do to curb his desires if he cannot findthe means to get married. He (r) said:
‘O youth, whoever of you can afford marriage [financially and physically] let him get married; for indeed it lowersthe gaze, and keeps one chaste; whoever cannot get married, he should fast, forit safeguards him.’ (Bukhari)
The Qur’an hasgiven an exemplary paradigm to Muslim youth on how to deal with sexual desire,and how to suppress it in the story of Yousef (u). Allah (I) says:
(And she, in whosehouse he was, sought to seduce him [to do an evil act], and she closed thedoors and said: ‘Come on, O you.’ He said: ‘I seek refuge in Allah! Truly, he [yourhusband] is my master! He made my living in a great comfort! [So I willnever betray him]. Verily, the wrongdoers will never be successful. Andindeed she did desire him, and he would have inclined to her desire, had he notseen the evidence of his Rubb. Thus it was, that We might turn away fromhim evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosenslaves.)
(12:23-4)
Even if one is imprisonedand harmed, he should not give in to illegal relations. Allah (I) says:
(She said: ‘This is he [the young man]about whom you did blame me, and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. Andnow if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, andwill be one of those who are disgraced. He said: ‘O My Rubb! Prison isdearer to me than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plotfrom me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant.) (12:32-33)
Islam prohibits releasingsexual desire by any means other than that which is lawful. If one fears that hewould fornicate, then in that case only, he may masturbate to relieve hissexual tension, which is the lesser of the two evils.
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