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In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) is a grave sin with severe consequences in this life and the Hereafter.
Allah (SWT) in many instances in the Qur’an warns sternly against zina. In Surah Al-Isra, Q. 17:32, Allah (SWT) states, “And come not near to illegal sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin) and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him). Allah (SWT) speaks elaborately against this evil in Surah An-Nur, Q. 24:2-3.
Believers must beware of zina because it leads to spiritual destruction. Fornication is a sin that brings about divine wrath, corrupts the heart, and leads to eternal punishment. It is a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred boundaries.
The Prophet (SAW) in many Hadiths enjoined the believers to lower their gaze and guard their modesty, because chastity is a part of faith. He likened a chaste believer to a fragrant flower, and likened a promiscuous one to a foul odor. He discouraged the believers from being in seclusion with anyone of the opposite sex, because it is a recipe for disaster which leads to temptation, sin and social chaos.
Infidelity, from the Qur’anic viewpoint, may be considered on a number of premises. Extramarital or pre-marital sexual relationship sex relationship is recognised as zina. Khalwah (being in seclusion or privacy with someone of the opposite sex, which may potentially lead to zina), Liwat (homosexuality) and Musahaqah (lesbianism) are condemned in same token.
Islam emphasises the importance of chastity, modesty and commitment, providing guidance on avoiding infidelity in order to promote moral value in our society. Of course, intercourse is good and ordained by Allah (SWT) as long as it is halal (i.e. lawful), but zina is forbidden (haram). Sexual desire is beautiful, natural and very normal unless it is left to its own devices. If it is not carefully nourished, protected and controlled, sexual desire can enslave and consume us. It can destroy our health, our relationships, our families, and most importantly our relationship with Allah (SWT), who gave us this treasure in the first place.
Allah (SWT) teaches us in the Message that unlawful sexual intercourse in its different dimensions is punishable. Even more important, Allah (SWT) in His infinite compassion has promised to accept and forgive the repentant. Allah (SWT) indicates in Surah An-Nisa, “And the two persons among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, hurt them both. And if they repent and do righteous good deeds, leave them alone. Surely, Allah is Ever All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ Q. 4:16.
Allah’s (SWT) mercy is total and infinite – for those who sincerely repent. Even good people with the best of intentions sometimes fall into error, but those who love Allah will quickly see their mistake and sincerely regret it. For these individuals Allah’s mercy and pardon are ready.
However, believers must never plan to sin, commit zina, and say, ‘It will be okay because Allah will forgive us’. In doing this, one must have demonstrated a profound lack of sincerity in one’s deen. It is as simple as saying in advance that one feels no shame for his sin. If you have committed Zina, repent immediately and completely. This means being determined, asking the help of Allah (SWT) of course, that you will not repeat the foul act anymore. Qur’an 4:18 categorically states that, “And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: ‘Now I repent’; nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment.”
Muslims should not be oblivious of the truth in the Message that Allah’s (SWT) rulings against zina are pure demonstration of the profound tenderness and generosity of Allah (SWT), and so we must say Alhamdulillah for the wonder and beauty of sexuality just as we say Alhamdulillah that we have been given the means to protect and nurture it.
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Adultery and fornication are a combination of all evil qualities; it weakness faith, uproots piety and protectiveness. It corrupts morality and wipes out virtue. Zina makes the face of the committers dark and gloomy to anyone who looks at it. The committers become shameless; their hearts become darkened, making the heart lose its light.
Other evils that are associated with zina are chilling and revealing. Zina makes the committers suffer from continuous poverty, as Allah (SWT) says in the Hadith Qudsi: “I will destroy tyrants and afflict adulterers and fornicators with poverty.”
Committers of zina in any form become insignificant in the sight of Allah (SWT), and making them lose respect and value from mankind. People who relate with a zina committer do that in doubt and mistrust.
Committers of adultery and fornication are prone to continual depression. Misfortunes become their lot as they are frequently confronted with failure in their positive endeavours, causing them to become depressed perpetually. They seem to get the opposite of good fortunes they seek. If only fornicators and adulterers knew the enjoyment that comes from remaining chaste, they would realise that what they missed out on is far more than the frivolous and temporal enjoyment they had in committing zina.
