Islamic Perspective of Sex

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Islamic Perspective of Sex
​

by: Abdur-Rahman A. Al-Sheha

Introduction

All Praise is due to Allah. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon His slave servant Messenger Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and his rightly guided Companions, his family members and his progeny.

Islam assigns man value over and above the rest of the creations. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) created a pair of male and female. He knows best. Human reproduction is impossible without the existence of such a complementary pair. This co-existence complements each other.

Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) created the male and the female in a perfect order that indicates His Greatness. Each one is granted a specific mission.

Both, male and female have a specific role to play in this life. No one should defy his role. Therefore, Islam illustrated these various roles in order to leave no room for speculations.

This booklet is an attempt to shed some light on various issues related to this important subject.

There are vague ideas about sex in Islam in the minds of the non-Muslims who accuse Islam with so many unfair and groundless accusations. We are trying to present Islamic views about an important issue in the life of man on earth. If the viewpoint of Islam becomes clear in the minds of critics, it is hoped that they would understand the rational underlying Islamic standpoint.

We pray Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) to enable us to achieve the objective we set out to do in this booklet for the benefit of our fellow men. If we succeed, that is by Allah's (subhanahu wa ta'ala) Grace. If we don't, it is our own shortcoming.

We hope this booklet would be an interesting, beneficial and instructive.

 

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Islam and Sex

Islam and Sex
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Islam considers sex as one of the essential human needs that must be properly satisfied. It is a necessity of the human being that. It require favorable consideration. In fact, Islam considers it one of the requirements of life that should be properly and lawfully satisfied. Moreover, Islam does not treat it as a distasteful, filthy, or heinous act of man. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in the Glorious Quran Sura Al-Imran [The Family of Imran] (3:14):“ Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded [for blood and excellence]; and [wealth of] cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals [to return to]”.

In addition, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Three items of this world were made attracted [or likeable] to me: women, perfume [but] the [utmost] pleasure of my eyes [soul] is in prayer”[1].

In fact, Islam forbids controlling and deprivation of the sexual behavior. This is, simply, because Islam is the natural religion commensurate to pure human innate. Islam does not, at any time, conflict with the requirements of the human's requirements or desires. Islam rather attempts to answer and fulfill all human needs and requirements. Islam does so by setting certain lawful limits and restrictions to ensure satisfying these needs in a right and lawful manner. Islam endeavors to keep the sex within the framework of human needs and elevates it above the savage and uncivilized way. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ People enter Jannah, Paradise mostly based on Taqwa of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) [full respect and obedience of the Commands of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)], and based on their good conduct. [While] most people enter the Hellfire because of the [ill use] of the mouth and private parts”[2].

We shall attempt to present in this booklet, the method, which Islam instituted for Muslims to regulate the use of the sex. In fact, Islam sets the mode for the better advancement of man, if he follows the Islamic rules on the subject. Islam looks at the proper use of the sex as an act of worship, Ibadah. A Muslim would be rewarded when he practices this act, as he is rewarded when he does any other acts of prescribed types of worship. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) alluded to this concept when he said, which reads as follows:“ [A Muslim] would have an intercourse with his spouse ad would be rewarded for it. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Oh Messenger of Allah! A person would be rewarded while satisfying his sexual need? Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: Yes. Isn't it that he would be punished had he practiced sex illegally? The same applies if a Muslim practiced a lawful intercourse with his spouse. As such, he would be rewarded”[3].

The only acceptable way for sexual satisfaction in Islam is a lawful "marriage". In fact, Islam urges Muslims to seek marriage and encourages them to practice it. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Whoever is financially capable of marriage but does not marry, he does not belong to Me [i.e., Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)]” [4].

" Islam regards marriage as a natural necessity in order to achieve tranquility and peace of mind for the Muslim. To the society, Islam regards marriage as a place to foster love, affection, closeness, and self-denial. Further, Islam regards marriage as a requirement to maintain the human race. Yet, Islam regards marriage as a mean for better moral values, preservation of honor and dignity, and preservation of the moral values of the human society. Thus, neglecting marriage or rejecting it is regarded as a denial of all the normal human behaviors and pure code of social ethics"[5].

Hence, the objective of marriage in Islam is to achieve tranquility and peace of mind for both spouses. 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”.

In fact, one of the objectives of marriage is to protect both spouses against indulgence in unlawful sexual practices that may lead to corruption and immoral acts [such as prostitution, fornication and adultery or else] in the society. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Baqarah (2:187):“ They are your garments and ye are their garments”.

Undoubtedly, there are certain individuals who reject the call of Islam for purity and chastity. Such individuals advocate unliceneced sexual freedom. We believe that such people do not enjoy a normal and natural human satisfaction. As for Islam, it refuses to degrade Believers to the state of lower creatures, such as animals. Animals alone are left to practice sexual freedom as they wish and without any restrictions. Islam regards it a great sin for man to place his semen in a womb that is unlawful to him. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) states, whihc read as follows:“ There is no greater sin after the sin of associating partners with Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala), than a man placing his semen in a womb [private part of a woman] that is unlawful for him to place” [6].

Islam and Purity

Islam instructs Believers purity and chastity. Islam further bestows on Believers on dignity and honor. Islam guides and directs its followers in the right direction by which they would be, Allah willing, morally respectable and productive. Listen to the story of the young man who came to Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asking him to permit him to practice adultery, as he can't live without it, after embracing Islam. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) loudly rejected the young man appeal and denied it wholeheartedly. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), however, called the young man closer to him and said, which reads as follows:“ Do you accept [to see] your mother committing adultery?" The young man replied negatively. Thus, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, which reads as follows:" As such, other people refuse to see their mothers [or any other female in their families] being indulgent in adultery. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) further asked the young man, which reads as follows:" Do you accept [to see] your sister committing adultery?" The young man replied negatively. Thus, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, which reads as follows:" As such, other people refuse to see their sisters committing adultery as well". Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) further asked, which reads as follows:" Do you accept [to see] your daughter committing adultery?" The young man replied negatively. Thus, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, which reads as follows:" As such, other people refuse to see their daughters committing adultery as well". Thus, we notice that Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was not harsh at all on the young man, but he rather prayed for the well-being of this young man saying:" Oh Allah! Purify the heart of this young man, chastise his private parts, and enable him to lower his gaze". This young man is reported to have said:" By Allah! I had never sought unlawful relations again ever” [7].

This is Islam. It is a religion that doesn't condone monasticism and total negligence of the worldly affairs. Islam doesn't to reject all worldly goods and pleasures completely. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ By Allah! I am, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the most God respectful amongst you and most obedient to His Commands. However, I observe fast [for some days] and break it [for other days]. I [stand up during the night] offering prayers [for some time], and I also sleep [some times of the night]. I also marry [women]. Hence, whoever chooses any other way, other than my Sunnah, tradition, he doesn't belong to me” [8].

Islam doesn't condone a blind and uncontrolled satisfaction of personal whims and caprices. Muhammad Qutub, the renowned contemporary Muslim scholar, says:" We can find no problem for 'sex' in Islam. Islam erects barriers before all human desires, including sex, which do not totally block them or deny them. Nevertheless, Islam rather, elevates and controls such human desires. Islam designs these barriers like that of the regulating devices on a river during flood seasons. As such, the regulating devices attempt to raise the level of water temporarily to a level that can't normally reach, then it let the water run at a higher level. Similarly, Islam controls the level of human desires by raising it to a higher plateau. Islam sets rules and regulations for the sex not to restrict or deny it completely, but rather to permit it within the scope that Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala)permits to practice such human desires. These are the limits set by Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) as He states in the Glorious Quran Sura Baqarah (2:229):“ These are the limits ordained by Allah; so do not transgress them if any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong [themselves as well as others]”. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) , in His vast wisdom knows that these are the "safe" and "secured" limits to drain such energies stored in man through human desires. By releasing such energies in an organized, controlled and safe manner, man can achieve a great level of success for himself and his society. Nevertheless, even Jahiliyah, state of ignorance, acknowledges the necessity to organize, regulate, and control all the human desires, except for "sex". Sex, among all human desires drives, is the crazy one. Imagine if such a crazy drive is left without control, regulation, and restrictions, what would happen to the society, its morals, honor, and individuals? Jahiliyah doesn't permit the drive and desire of ownership without regulations. If such a desire left unrestricted, we could see man wanting to possess and own whatever he likes, through any mean. However, man made laws classify such acts as a punishable crime of theft by law. The same is practiced insofar as the food, clothing and housing drives and desires. All these drives and desires are controlled by laws and not left for personal or emotional whims"[9].

Islam and Marriage

Islam commands its followers to marry as early as they are able. Muslims should not fear poverty nor should they apprehend increase of family members as result of marriage, and thus, because of that, they stay away from marriage. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:32):“ Marry those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among your slaves, male or female: if they are in poverty, Allah will give them means out of His Grace: for Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things”.

Moreover, Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) takes it upon Himself to help three types of people. These are: A warrior, who is striving in the cause of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). A contracted slave, who wants to pay off the value set for his freedom of slavery, and, a person, who seeks marriage to chastise himself” [10].

If a male Muslim can't afford to marry because of poverty, he is commanded to chastise himself. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:33):“ Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His Grace”.

Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gives advice that makes it easier to a certain extent for a person, who is unable to marry for dearth of marriage expenses. This advice harnesses his desire to marry and enables him to control his sexual desires. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which reads as follows:“ Oh young men! Whoever is capable [financially and otherwise] to [afford the expenses] of marriage, let him do so. [Marriage] helps one control his eyesight and chastise his private parts. But, he who can't afford the marriage expenses, let him observe fast as it would [act] as a protector for him” [11].

The Glorious Quran further illustrated the best example of subduing the sexual drive in the story of Prophet Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [Joseph]. Prophet's Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) story is set as one of the best examples for the Muslim youth. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (12:23-24):“ But she in whose house he was, sought to seduce him from his [true] self: she fastened the doors, and said: Now come, thou [dear one]! he said: Allah forbid! Truly [thy husband] is my lord! He made my sojourn agreeable! Truly to no good come those who do wrong! And [with passion] did she desire him, and he would have rejected her, but that he saw the evidence of his Lord: thus [did We order] that We might turn away from him [all] evil and shameful deeds: for he was one of Our servants, sincere and purified”.

Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) overlooked the adverse results stemming from his denial to the request of the prestigious lady. The result of rejecting her request for evil acts was imprisonment. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Yousuf (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (12:32-34):“ She said: There before you is the man about whom ye did blame me! I did seek to seduce him from his [true] self but he did firmly save himself guiltless! And now, if he doth not my bidding, he shall certainly be cast into prison and [what is more] be of the company of the vilest! He said: O my Lord! The prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me: unless Thou turn away their snare from me, I should [in my youthful folly] feel inclined towards them and join the ranks of the ignorant. So his Lord hearkened to him [in his prayer], and turned away from him their snare: verily He heareth and knoweth [all things]”.

 

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Islam and Sexual Stimulants

Islam and Sexual Stimulants
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Islam bans all actions that lead to arouse the sex other than the permissible. Islam, out of precautious, bans all activities that lead to unlawful practices. It is a bare fact that when a person is sexually aroused and overwhelmed with sexual emotions he would be tempted to involve even in prevented courses. Such a person will not hesitate to resort to any means to gratify his sexual passions. Such a sexually charged and aroused person may tend to discharge such drive unlawfully. The sexual prevention may be attained with mutual consent of the two parties involved, or by force, or rape. Both, adults and minors may participate in such unlawful activities. Some individuals may tend to discharge it by another unlawful mean that is homosexual, lesbian, or masturbation. All the above-cited forms are unlawful in Islam.

Means to Restrict Stimulants

Islam commands to apply the following methodology in order to restrict sexual intercourse:

• Islam commands parents to separate male and female children, who reach the age of puberty and maturity as they sleep. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ Command your children to [begin] offering prayers [on a regular basis] at age seven. [Then] discipline them if they don't maintain it [on a regular basis] when they become ten years of age. [Moreover] separate [male children from females] when they sleep at that age” [12].
  
  Islam ordains, through Allah's Messenger's command and instruction (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), to avoid any contact between males and females while sleeping together alone in the same bed or room. Such contact may arouse the potential sexual urges.
• Islam ordains that Muslim women be segregated from stranger males. This is ordained, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) knows best, in order to maintain the honor and preserve the dignity of both and in order to avoid any sexual intimacy between both. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Ahzab [The Confederates] (33:59):“ Oh Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons [when abroad]: that is most convenient, that they should be known [as such] and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”.
  
  Islam, however, gave a permission to the elder, unmarriageable ladies, who are neither sexually desirous nor sexually attractive, to wear normal modest attire such as long garments and basic head cover [other than covering the face] and do not wear any facial makeup, to appear as such before stranger males. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:60):“ Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their [outer] garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things”.
• Islam commands to protect and lower the eyesight against all unlawful scenes. Eyesight may generate a sexual desire in the eyes of the beholder. As such, this may develop later on to a wanting, eager and meditating evil desire, and eventually executing these desires, unlawfully. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:30-31):“ Say to the Believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what [must ordinarily] appear thereof…”.

Furthermore, Allah's Messenger

(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ The look [of the eyesight] is a poisonous arrow of Iblis [Satan]” [13].

Imam Ibn-ul-Qayyim is reported to have commented on this issue as follows: "While eyesight or eye contact is the beginning of the sexual stimulants, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) began with it first, prior to the protection and chastising of the private parts. In fact, all sexual drives begin with an eye contact. Similarly, the greatest fire begins with the smallest fire spark. A person begins with an unlawful look, then this develops into a thought in the mind and heart, then this develops into a step or an action of movement towards the sexual partner, and finally this would end up in a sin of an unlawful sexual intercourse. Therefore, it is wisely said: 'whoever preserves the following four items, would surely preserve his faith. These are as follows:

1. Eyesight or looks and gaze.
2. [Evil] thoughts that cross the mind and heart.
3. [Sexually seductive] words that are uttered [with evil and unlawful intention] or flirting with women or men.
4. Steps [that lead to unlawful sexual practices] [14].

Furthermore, as it is potentially possible to unlawfully glance at something, Muslims are commanded not to prolong such unlawful looks. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) which read as follows:“ Oh Ali[Listen]! Don't continue with looking [at unlawful items], as the first look is [permitted] for you, while the second is not” [15].

Islam urged and encouraged its followers and Believers to seek the Pleasure of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) by protecting their looks. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ Whoever lowers his gaze by not looking at the charms of a [stranger] woman, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) would substitute him for this with a faith, which he would feel its sweetness in his heart” [16].

• Islam ordains both adult and mature males and females to seek permission prior entering any private residence. Such permission, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) knows best, is ordained in order to avoid looks at any unlawful scene. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:58):“ Oh ye who believe! Let those whom your right hands possess, and the [children] among you who have not come of age ask your permission [before they come to your presence], on three occasions, before morning prayer; the while you take off your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late-night prayer: these are your three times of undress: outside these times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other: thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom”.
  
  In addition, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur (24:59):“ But when the children among you come of age, let them [also] ask for permission, as do those senior to them [in age]: thus does Allah make clear His Signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom”.
• Islam bans impersonation for both sexes; males and females. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ May Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) curse impersonating men [as females], and may Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) curse impersonating females [as males]”.
• Islam bans listening to sexually oriented songs and the like. Naturally, such acts would mentally prepare and lead normal people to commit unlawful banned sexual practices. In fact, Muslim scholars of early generations described sexually motivating songs and singings: "It is the essential mean for committing adultery".
• Islam bans sitting alone, for an extensive period, with young men, i.e., minor males, especially the attractive looking ones among them. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ The fornication of the eye is to look [at unlawful items or actions]. The fornication of the tongue is to speak [using unlawful words, phrases, terminology, descriptions and stories]. The fornication of the hand is to commit [unlawful acts or actions]. The fornication of the foot is to walk [even steps] to an unlawful place or activity. The fornication of the ear is to listen [to unlawful items such as songs, stories, words, secrets and the like]. Yet, the human soul wishes for all of that or promises to obtain. However, the private parts would either confirm [any of these actions and activities] or falsify them”.
• Islam bans male Muslims to be alone with any female, other than immediate relatives that are not permissible for marriage, or a spouse. Such privacy may lead to satanic seduction. Consequently, this may lead to adulterous acts or fornication. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ Any man, who sits in a privacy with a female, [whom he can marry], would be accompanied by Satan as the third companion to the two” [17].
  
  In fact, Allah's Messenger
  
  (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) explained the best method to be with a female saying, which read as follows:“ A man must not be alone with a woman, unless one of her male (Mahram) immediate relatives [i.e., a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson] is present with them” [18].
• Islam further bans any mingled activities. This is because such activities and meeting may lead to suspicious relationships between non-related males and females. In fact, Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala)states in Quran Sura Ahzab [The Confederates] (33:53):“ And when ye ask [his one of his wives] for anything ye want ask them from behind a barrier [partition]: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs”.
  
  Professor Muhammad Qutub in his book, 'Man between Materialism and Islam', comments as follows:" Innocent co-ed was a mammoth myth came from the West [i.e., Europe and the North Hemisphere]. The West, at the beginning of its dissolvence, wanted to treat its' sexual pressure. The Western social scientists and psychologists exaggerated the immense value of co-ed. Later, they denied it all and never mentioned it after that. They truly discovered the real picture and results of co-ed. As such, physiatrists, psychologists, and neurologists withdrew completely from their previous opinion regarding co-ed. Those even denied slow dance [innocent] parties, co-ed tea parties, and co-ed picnics under the supervision of parents and teachers. Today, the same scholars claim that any co-ed meeting would stir the sex and not the opposite. The personal feelings may be suppressed, or they are forced to be suppressed because of social circumstances. At other times, such personal feelings would be suppressed due to shyness before other people. Consequently, suppression of personal feelings would instigate psychological or mental anxiety and apprehension. Such anxiety occurs because of the social co-ed meetings. At such point, one of two things may take place. A young male may seek a different place where he can freely practice his personal feelings and emotions without any barriers or controls. Or else, the young male would remain under severe anxiety that may lead to certain disorders. Therefore, we can easily wonder: "What an innocent meeting these co-ed meetings are!"
• Islam bans a wife to describe the physical details of another woman. This is so to prevent the slightest attraction of that married man to the other woman. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ A woman must not see another woman [exposed in a private females meeting], then describes the details of that woman to her husband” [19].
• Islam bans women to get out of their homes wearing full make up and perfume. Such a practice would attract the attention of males to them. As such, the woman may be trapped into unlawful relationships with males who are awaiting such opportunities.
  
  Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Ahzab [The Confederates] (33:33):“ And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance”.
  In fact, Islam bans a female to speak softly and in an attractive tone with a male who is not related to her. This practice is a mean of protection for the female against males who are desirous for adultery and fornication. A female Muslim must speak with a male only as necessary. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Ahzab [The Confederates] (33:33):“ Oh Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the [other] women: if ye do fear [Allah], be not too complaisant of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech [that is] just”.
• Islam further bans nudity and displaying women's physical attractions. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Aaraaf [The Heights] (6:26):“ Oh ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. However, the raiment of righteousness, that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!”.
• Islam instructs women allowed to appear before lawful relatives to do so with casual clothes and ornamentations. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura Nur [The Light] (24:31):“ …and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And, Oh ye Believers! Turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss”.
• Islam bans a woman to travel alone. A woman must travel with an immediate relative described earlier as Mahram. This escort or companion must be one of the following relatives: a husband, a father, a brother, or a relative whom she is not allowed to marry on a permanent basis. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ A woman must not travel without a Mahram. No male must enter the privacy of a woman without an immediate Mahram is available with that woman. A man raised a question to Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying: Oh Messenger of Allah! My wife set out to perform pilgrimage while I have registered for such and such Ghazwah [Fighting Troops, what should I do?]. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed the man as follows: Go and join your wife for pilgrimage” [20].

 

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Islam and Female Protection

Islam and Female Protection
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The real intent of Islam underlying all the rulings, restrictions, procedures, and commands for women is their own protection. Islam aims at preserving their honor, and upholding their dignity. Travel usually requires a lot of efforts and other expenses. Women, by nature are weak [in comparison with men]. Women are bound to have menses, after birth confinement, child nursing, and pregnancy. Women are, also, easily vulnerable to deception, as they usually follow their emotions, which may be, at times, misleading. Women are commonly passionate and easily influenced by the environment. A woman needs some kind of protection against evil people while traveling. Generally, a woman may not be able to defend herself physically against others due to her very nature. She also needs someone to care for her properly and take care of her needs. Islam requires a Mahram, immediate relative of a woman to take care of all her needs and provide her the best security and safety he could. Islam requires this from a Mahram, in order to suffice women any need for a stranger.

Islam and personal desires

• Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commands a man, who glances a woman, which stimulates his sexual instinct to return home to his family [if he is a married man] and approach his wife. This should facilitate him to satisfy his sexual desires in a lawful and proper manner. By the same token, he would be deterred from the trap of satanic way of seduction. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ A woman approaches in a shape of Satan and walks away in the same shape. Therefore, if a [married man] notices [physically] something of a woman that arouses him [sexually], let such a man go back to his home and approach his wife. Doing so would cool him if” [21].
  
• Islam commands both spouses to satisfy their personal [sexual] desire with each other when either spouse is interested to do so. Islam bans a woman to refuse her husband's request to satisfy his needs. If a woman denies her husband's request, he may be led to evil thoughts searching for unlawful sources of satisfaction, or else, he would develop mental pressure. Both such situations are detrimental, both physically and mentally. Islam, therefore, is insistent on this issue. Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, which read as follows:“ If a man calls his wife to sleep with him and she does not respond, causing him to be angry with her, angels will [continue] to curse her until the morning” [22].
  
• Islam applies the same towards the husband. A husband must satisfy his wife's sexual desire in order to protect her against evil thoughts and actions as well. Ibn Hazm, a renowned Muslim scholar comments as follows: "A husband must have an intercourse with his wife once a month, in the least possible ways, while he is capable of doing so. Otherwise, such a person is disobeying Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). The evidence to this from Quran is from Sura Baqarah (2:222):“ But when they have purified themselves, ye may approach them in any manner, time, or place ordained for you by Allah. For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean”.
  
• Islam entitles a wife to seek a court judgment against her husband if he neglects to satisfy her sexual needs as well. This just and safe way maintains the peace, equality, and satisfaction in the family and society.
  
• Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) promised individuals, who attempt to spread chaos and evil activities in the Islamic community to pour on them the severest penalty. Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) states in Quran Sura al-Nur (24:19):“ Those who love [to see] scandal published broadcast among the Believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows, and ye know not”.

If this is the case of the scandalous individuals, what about the doers and supporters of such unlawful activities? Surely, it is much more disastrous.