Modesty Posted January 11, 2004 * Asalaamu Alaykum, these days fornication seems to not be a 'sin' to most people, especially those in the West (including some muslims). Although most religions agree that fornication( having intercourse outside of marriage) is a sin, it's not universally seen as a sin since people have became accustomed to seeing it. The following article is a interesting read for anyone who wants to know what fornication or zinaa consists of, and its punishments. It's quite interesting. __________________________________________________ Zinaa: An Evil Way Group of Authors Compiled from the writings of adh-Dhahabi, Sheikh al Munajid and Minhaj as-Sunnah magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zinaa, in Arabic, means immorality, and is used with two meanings in shar': a general meaning and a specific meaning. The general meaning includes that which carries the punishment (hadd) and that which does not carry it. Islam does not give the name of zinaa only to that which carries the punishment, which is just one of many types of zinaa. Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: "I have never heard any better definition of "small faults" [al-Najm 53:32] than that which Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Allaah has decreed for every son of Adam his share of zinaa, and there is no way to escape from it. The zinaa of the eye is a glance, the zinaa of the tongue is speaking, and the zinaa of the mind is wishing and hoping; then the private part either acts upon this or it does not." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 11/26; Muslim, 4/2046). Al-Bukhaari included this hadeeth in a chapter entitled Baab zinaa al-jawaarih doon al-farj (Chapter on the zinaa of faculties other than the private part). Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Zinaa is not always associated with the private part itself, but may involve other faculties such as the eyes and so on." Ibn Battaal (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Looking and speaking are called zinaa because they lead to real zinaa. This is why he said that the private part either acts upon this or it does not" Zinaa is one of the forbidden deeds, one of the most serious major sins (kabaa'ir) after shirk and murder. Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings): "And those who invoke not any other god along with Allaah, nor kill such life as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [al-Furqaan 25:68-70] "And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a faahishah [anything that transgresses its limits a great sin], and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allaah forgives him)." [al-Israa' 17:32] Imaam al-Qurtubi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "The 'ulama' said that the phrase And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse is more eloquent than merely saying "Do not commit zinaa" , because the meaning is, "Do not even come close to zinaa." This means not doing any deed that may get close to zinaa or lead to it, such as being alone with a member of the opposite sex, touching, looking, going to evil places, speaking in a haraam manner to a woman to whom one is not related, thinking about and planning immoral acts, and so on. "The male and female who commit fornication - flog each one of them with one hundred lashes, and do not let compassion for the two of them keep you from (complying with) Allah's religion, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their punishment." [24:2] The Jurists say that the last verse quoted above is the punishment for fornicators who have never been married. If a person was ever married before committing the crime of Zina, he or she is to be punished by stoning to death. This is established by the practise of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam. If they are not punished in this world and die without repentance (by regretting, leaving the sin, and so forth), they will be punished in the Fire with whips of fire. In a tradition transmitted by Bukhari, on the authority of Samurah ibn Jundab (raa), concerning a dream of the Prophet in which the Prophet accompanied by Jibreel and Mikaail, the Prophet (saws) said: "We went on and arrived near a pit which was like an oven, out of which we could hear cries. We glanced into it and saw naked men and women, who cried out when the flames reached them from below. I asked, "Who are these, o Jibreel?" He replied: "Males and females who have committed fornication." In explaining the meaning of the verse concerning Hell, "It has seven gates, to each of these gates a class (of sinners) is assigned." (15:44); `Ataa says: "The most severe of these gates in terms of heat, pain, sorrow, and stinking air is the gate for the doers of fornication, who did it (even) after knowing the awfulness of it." The zaani (male fornicator or adulterer) marries not but a zaaniyah (female fornicator or adulterer) or mushrikah (female polytheist) and the zaaniyah none marries her except the zaani or mushrik. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers. [An-Nur 24:3] One meaning of this is that the man who agrees to marry or have a sexual relationship with a polytheist or a prostitute is surely either a polytheist or a zaani (fornicator/adulterer) himself and likewise applies to such a woman. Some scholars see it as an absolute prohibition for a believing Muslim to marry another Muslim who has committed zinaa while others permit it if the person has sincerely repented to Allah. If any of your women are guilty of zinaa, take the evidence of four (reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them, and if they testify confine them to houses until death claims them or Allah ordains for them some other way. [An-Nisaa 15] This verse was abrogated by the verse 24:2 below. If two persons among you are guilty of zinaa punish them both. If they repent and amend themselves, leave them alone for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [An-Nisaa 16] The woman and the man guilty of zinaa, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let no compassion move you in their case in a matter prescribed by Allah if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; and let a party of the believers witness their punishment. [An-Nur 24:2] When this verse was revealed, it was understood that those guilty of adultery should be given a hundred lashes as a punishment. The Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) clarified the injunctions: Take from me, accept from me. Undoubtedly, Allah has now show the path for them. For unmarried persons, the punishment is one hundred lashes and exile for one year. For married adulterers it is one hundred lashes and stoning to death. [Al-Bukhaari, Kitabul Hudood] 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood said: "I asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), "Which sin is worst in the sight of Allaah?" He said, "To make any rival to Allaah, when He has created you."I asked, "Then what?" He said, "To kill your child for fear that he will eat with you." I asked, "Then what?" He said, "To commit zinaa with the wife of your neighbour." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 8/492; Muslim, 1/90). There is no sin after shirk greater in the sight of Allah than a drop of semen which a man places in the womb which is not lawful for him. [Al-Bukhaari, Kitabul-Hudood] All religions are agreed that zinaa is haraam; no religion allows it. The punishment for zinaa is the most severe of punishments, because it violates people's honour and lineages. The sin of zinaa may be of varying degrees, and the gravity of the offence depends on the nature and circumstances of the deed, although all zinaa is haraam, a major sin and an act of immorality. Zinaa with a mahram [i.e., incest] (Allaah forbid) or with a married woman is far worse than zinaa with a woman to whom one is not related or with an unmarried woman, because it involves violating the rights of the husband, contaminating his bed, attributing a child to him that is not his, and other kinds of offence and harm. If her husband is a neighbour, the crime of being a bad neighbour is added to the offence; if her husband is one's brother or relative, the crime of breaking family ties is added. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not safe from his evil actions." (Reported by Muslim, 1/68). There is no evil action worse than zinaa, and if the husband is absent for the sake of Allaah, such as in worship, seeking knowledge or jihaad, then the sin is compounded. Buraydah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The wives of the mujaahideen are as sacred and forbidden to those who stay behind as their own mothers. There is no man of those who stay behind who is entrusted by one of the mujaahideen with the care of his family and then betrays him (by committing zinaa), but he will be detained on the Day of Resurrection, and (the one whom he betrayed) will take as much of his good deeds as he wishes. So what do you think?" (Reported by Muslim, 3515). If the adulterer is married, the sin is greater, and the punishment is stoning, and if he is an old man, the sin is greater and the punishment is as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) mentioned in the hadeeth about the three whom Allaah will neither look at nor praise on the Day of Resurrection, and who will have a painful punishment (Saheeh Muslim, 156). If the deed is also committed during a sacred month or in a sacred place or at a time which is special in the sight of Allaah, the sin is compounded. The fuqaha' (may Allaah have mercy on them) stated that the basic act of zinaa which carries the punishment is illegal sexual intercourse, whereby the two "circumcised parts"[i.e. genitals] come together and there is penetration of the tip of the penis, because this is actual penetration (which carries the prescribed hadd or punishment). A person must avoid evil deeds and everything that can lead to them. Allaah has commanded us to avoid the traps of the Shaytaan, because if a man takes one step in that direction, his shaytaan and his own ego (nafs) will keep urging him to do evil until he commits immoral deeds. One should think about how serious it is to touch a woman to whom one is not related, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained: "If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with a piece of iron it would be better for him than if he were to touch a woman whom it is not permissible for him to touch." (Reported by al-Tabaraani; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 5045). This refers to the punishment for touching, so how about worse deeds, such as embracing and kissing, and even worse kinds of illicit activity? The Muslim qaadi is empowered to stipulate an appropriate punishment for every proven action other than actual intercourse; in the case of intercourse, the punishment set out by Islam is one hundred lashes and a year's exile for one who is unmarried, and stoning for one who is married. This is the punishment in this world, and the punishment in the Hereafter is far more severe. One of the important principles which the salaf (may Allaah have mercy on them) pointed out is that the sincere believer who truly hopes for Allaah and the Hereafter should not look at whether the sin is major or minor, or whether is carries a punishment (hadd) or not. It was reported that Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: "There is no major sin if one asks for forgiveness, and there is no minor sin if one persists in repeating it." Someone else said: "If you want to disobey Allaah, do not think about the smallness of the sin, think about the greatness of the One Whom you are disobeying." 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sweet_gal Posted January 11, 2004 Good article Results of sexual freedom and confusion Islam bans adultery and all types of fornication labeling it as one of the major sins in Islam. In fact, Islam bans all acts and means that may lead one to commit adultery or fornication. Sayyid Qutub illuminated in his book In the Shade of Quran:" Islam aims at eliminating all forms of pure animalistic sexual behavior. Islam wishes to help establish a proper home and a caring family resulting of the proper and lawful sexual relationship. Islam does not tolerate a mere sexual relationship that makes the human being very much like an animal, which is driven only by his mere sex for mating and reproduction. Islam erects a loving and caring relationship between two hearts and bodies of two human beings who live together and have the same hopes and common ground life. The proper "marriage nest" that is built on such basis would house the new generation under the custody, care, and guardianship of both Muslim parents. Hence, Islam instituted very strict and severe punishment for adultery and fornication. Islam considers adultery as animalistic behavior that abolishes all human manners and principles. If a person is merely interested and concerned to satisfy his sexual desires, he would turn into an animal in the shape and body of a human being. Such a person may not be trusted for being in charge of the prosperity on earth. In fact, there is no real emotional satisfaction of the mere sexual relationship. Emotional relationship is a continuous, everlasting, and caring one. It is not, in reality, what is categorized to be in terms of a short-term materialistic love as a response for the bodily attractions only, although some people may shed so many emotional characteristics on it. Islam does not, at all, fight, or stand in the way of the normal human behavior, but rather controls it, organizes it, purifies it, and elevates it above the level of the animalistic behavior. Islam promotes the human sexuality or lust to become the core of the personal morals, social attitudes, and relationships. As for adultery and fornication, and more precisely prostitution, one feels that it is, in reality, empty of all these feelings, emotions, and sense of belonging and relationship. Islam looks at prostitution as one of the lowest ill acts of a human society. Such a poor practice makes man below the level of animals in attitudes and behavior. In fact, there are many animals who live a decent and organized social life, away from the mess and confusion that prostitution creates in some human societies "[68]. It is useful to list some of the bad results and the chaos situation that sexual confusion brings to a human society and to the morals of the people. One of the inevitable results is the spread of adultery and fornication in the society. These are some of the results of the sexual confusion in the human society: The spread of epidemic and fatal diseases. Such diseases are not restricted to the person who practices such unlawful activities, but it rather spreads to others, whom he or she contacts. In fact, such diseases may, very likely, spread very wide in the community. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Isra (17:32):“ Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful [deed] and an evil, opening the road [to other evils]”. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ Be mindful of adultery [and fornication] as it possesses six traits. Three of these traits [are noticeable] in this world while the other three are felt in Hereafter. As for the worldly three traits, they are as follows: it would remove brightness from the face of the practicing person. It would also cause a person to feel poverty. In addition, it would shorten the life span of a person. As for the other three traits that would be felt in the Hereafter, they are as follows: it would entitle the practicing person to receive the wrath and anger of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). It would also cause such a person to have poor results when he/she is held accountable for what he did in this world. Lastly, it would entitle such a person to dwell eternally in the Fire of hell” [69]. Adultery and fornication would remove brightness from the face of the practicing person because of the deprivation to enjoy full personal satisfaction, physically and spiritually. Such a person would feel low in morals and attitude. Thus, such a person would turn into an animal, in the shape of a human being. All what such a person cares for and interested in is to satisfy his sexual desire, regardless of the means. Furthermore, adultery would also cause a person to face poverty because of the huge amounts of money he would spend on such unlawful sexual activities. Such a person would exert lot of efforts and wastes lot of valuable personal energies as well, that he might have utilized it in a better and more productive form. Thus, spending such wealth and energy causes constant regret. Indulging in unlawful sexual activities would cause great harms to the health. In fact, adultery is a major health hazard. Thus, adultery and fornication would shorten the life span of a person because of the potential diseases that may endanger his life and possibly cut it short. Illegitimate children: Such children are deprived the normal care and custody of real loving parents. As a result, such children would lack the objective and proper guidance and direction in their lives. No one, other than the real parents, could offer an honest, truthful, and meaningful guidance to a child. Consequently, such deprived class of children would grow up to be uncontrolled and full of hatred to the rest of the society members. Anna Freud, in her book Children without Families, comments on the psychological disorders that can't be corrected by a psychiatric specialist except with great difficulties[70]. Psychological disorders:Unlawful sexual relationships would lead to a lot of psychological diseases and disorders. People who practice and maintain such unlawful relationships would develop unease, lack of personal happiness and satisfaction, inferiority complex, guilt, and self-discern as a result of practicing unlawful sexual relationships. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Rum (30:21):“ And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your [hearts]: verily in that are Signs for those who reflect”. Sexual confusion leads to moral confusion in the society. It is a well-established fact that money could easily trap and lure people to do anything evil. Money also enables a person to get all what he likes in terms of pleasures and satisfaction. Thus, if those who are practicing unlawful satisfactions lack the needed funds, they may commit any type of crime to satisfy their needs. Such individuals may steal, cheat, molest, rape, lie, deceive, bribe, or even kill in order to get what they want. They do not care where, or how they get the needed funds, even if this is on the account of others. Descending of the Wrath promised by Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) promised the communities where adultery and fornication is practiced or condoned, to receive one of the severest punishments. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ My Ummah, nation would continue to enjoy a blessed life so long as illegitimate children are not produced in their society. When illegitimate children become available in the society, then the punishment of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) would become imminent” [71]. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nur Posted January 11, 2004 Not in America for the majority, it is a lifestyle. Someone sent me a humorous piece to the effect that an American soldier in Iraq received a letter from his girlfrined in which she admitted that she could not wait for his return and thus cheated on him twice, and she asked him to send back her pictures. The young soldier replied " Dear miss, I can't remember who you are, I am enclosing fifty pictures, select yours and send the rest back to me" research shows that in US that 70% of married men have extramarital relationship, while only 50% percent of married women admitted to the same. Now, non married couples have no limits i guess, Only in America! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Modesty Posted January 12, 2004 " Dear miss, I can't remember who you are, I am enclosing fifty pictures, select yours and send the rest back to me" LOL! That was truly funny. Thanks Sweet_Gal for the extra info., I learned something new! Nur-In America it's definately a way of life, but more muslims are following this way of life these days which is heart-breaking to me. So I would again say that fornication is gradually becoming a universal acceptance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuCkY Posted January 13, 2004 " Dear miss, I can't remember who you are, I am enclosing fifty pictures, select yours and send the rest back to me" LoooL! Yes its a UniversaL sin onLy as time goes by its not seen as a sin...sad to say but even some musLims dont see it as a Sin. I guess its true when they say u adapt to ur environment even the negative aspects of it which Later becomes "OK". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haaruun Posted January 13, 2004 Our pple back home are not doing any better....sad, very sad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Qac Qaac Posted January 15, 2004 is one of the minor signs of yawmul qiyama, that zinaa would almost become halal, in term of how many ppl does it everyday, even though they know it is haram. i have heard some muslim ppl saying, i know zina is haram, so they said it is a chance that i am taking. so they doing it on purpose. assuming that allah is always merciful, and would forgive them. they willing to take a risk. I NEVER HEARD SOMETHING MORE ****** THEN THIS... u r muslim person, u believe hell fire, and heaven, and u talk like this. may allah forgive us all, coz surely we did a lot of displeasing things in fron of Allah. it is not the sin that is great, it is knowing allah sees you, and still do the sin is more greater than the sin itself. sub xanllah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
