The Horrendous Crime And Sin Of Zinaa

Rabia' Al-Awwal 1420/July 1999

Zinaa means sexual intercourse between a man and a woman not married to one another. It is immaterial whether it is adultery (where the participants are married people) or fornication (when they are unmarried). Islam regards zinaa in any case as a great sin. There are many verses of the Quraan and Prophetic statements with regard to this issue and we relate just a few below. Each indicates the seriousness of zinaa and makes it crystal clear that there is no room for it as acceptable behavior in Islam. From The Quraan Do not come near to zinaa. Verily, it is a faahisha (a great and shameful sin) and an evil way (that leads someone to Hell unless Allah forgives him). [Al-Israa 17:32] Those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse (zinaa) 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. [Al-Furqaan 68 - 69] Come not near to Al-Fawaahishah (shameful sins, zinaa, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly [Al-Anaam 151] 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. [AnNisaa 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. [AnNur 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] From The Hadeeth 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] Also: The zinaa of the legs is walking (with bad intention towards a woman who is not lawful for a man) and the zinaa of the hands is touching and patting (such a woman) and the zinaa of the eyes is the passionate glance. [Al-Bukhaari] After me I have not left any fitnah (trial) more harmful to men than women. [AlBukhaari, Book of Marriage] At the time a person fornicates or commits adultery he is not a believer. And a thief, at the time he steals, is not a believer... [Al-Bukhaari] Abu Umaamah narrated: A certain young man came to the Prophet and said "Oh Messenger of Allah permit zinaa for me." The companions were annoyed at this arrogant attitude of his and with no attempt at concealment of their feelings in this behalf, berated him, and demonstrated open disgust for his insolent request. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) asked the young man to come closer and he did so. Then he asked him to take a seat and he obeyed. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) then started to ask him: "Would you like such (i.e zinaa) for your mother?" He (the man) replied, "No, by Allah. May Allah sacrifice me for you". He said, "Other people do not like it either for their mothers. Would you then likeit for your daughter (i.e. zinaa)?" He replied, "No by Allah. May I be sacrificed for you " He said, "Others too do not like it for their daughters. Would you like if for your sister He replied, "No by Allah. May I be sacrificed for you " He said, "Other people do not like it for their sisters. Would you like it for your paternal aunt?" He replied, "No by Allah. May I be sacrificed for you " He said, "Other people dislike it for their paternal aunts. Would you like it for your maternal aunt?" He replied, "No by Allah. May I be sacrificed for you " He said, "Others too do not like it for their maternal aunts." He (the narrator) then said, He (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) then put his hand on the mans chest and said, "Oh Allah forgive his sin, cleanse his heart, and make chaste his private parts." Thereafter the young man never even looked to anything (i.e. zinaa). [Ahmed] Is there a woman who is not someones daughter, sister, aunt, or mother? From a long narration from Samura Ibn Jundub (radiallahu anhu) the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) related a vivid dream he had (and prophetic dreams are true and a part of revelation) depicting the condition of the inhabitants of Hell. He described being taken by the hands by two men. Then he stated: "They told me to proceed on: so we proceeded on and passed by a hole like an oven with a narrow top and wide bottom and the fire was kindling underneath that hole. Whenever the fire-flame went up, the people were lifted up to such an extent that they were about to get out of it, and whenever the fire got quieter, the people went down into it and there were naked men and women in it. I said Who (what) is this? They told me to proceed on They explained to him the meaning of what he saw and they told him: "And those whom you saw in the hole (like an oven) were Az-Zunaat (those who committed illegal sexual intercourse)" [Al-Bukhaari, The Book Of Funerals]

Some Of The Disastrous Effects Of of Zinaa On Individuals and Society Adultery corrupts lineage and makes it spurious and contributes to the disintegration of the family unit. Although genetic testing can be done to ascertain the parentage of a child it nevertheless is no guarantee that the father will consider himself morally bound to undertake the patronage and upbringing of such a child therefore it often gets neglected or is insufficiently raised in other than a wholesome and loving home under the care of two biological parents. Adoption agencies are full of children whose mothers were unwilling or unable to care for them after becoming pregnant after committing zinaa. No one has any lawful right to an adulteress under the shariah since she has not entered into wedlock with any one person. Any number of men may have made or make advances towards her and there are indeed subsequent rivalries, quarrels and even loss of life and property that are well-known to all. How many crimes are committed as a result of zinaa. Everything from jealous lovers and revenge to simply the willingness to do anything to obtain sex. Zinaa tends to promote and lead to promiscuity. When sex can be obtained without responsibility, coupled with the availability of many partners, it is difficult for one who indulges in this behavior to be satisfied. Chaste men or women will obviously shun a person who is known to be of that sinful nature. Zinaa however spreads and becomes commonplace when free and uninhibited sexual relations between men and women go unchecked. Little, if any, value is placed upon commitment, responsibility or marriage and family. The emotional, psychological and moral health of the members of society is adversely affected. Men and women become more callous, selfish, and superficial and their main goal becomes the pursuit of pleasure as opposed to nurturing the natural inclinations and noble characteristics of loving companionship, taking responsibility for the wellbeing of a mate, or the raising and nurturing of children. The resultant emotional toll, especially on unwed mothers and their children is incalculable and a definite correlation has been proven with regards to the level of crimes committed by children from fatherless households. Immoral societies have attempted to remove unwanted pregnancy (which served as some deterrent among them in the past) through making birth control easily available and by even handing out condoms at high schools! The sin is not in the act but in doing so "unprotected"! The problem of unwed mothers has increased the level of poverty for such women and their children worldwide. The economic toll is very high due to social structures and services created to support such women and their children in the absence of a supporting family structure. Abortions increase as a method of birth control. Health problems among children resulting from such relationships are more frequent and create an economic burden on the society as a whole. Despite massive campaigns in the West to educate the youth of the dangers of "unprotected" sex it has not stemmed the tide. Public health and welfare is endangered by the proliferation of zinaa. Diseases and other health problems increase due to the multiplicity of sexual partners and even those who do not condone such behavior are affected. Case in point is the general danger to the public from AIDS because of its spread though people who have had relations with homosexual, bi-sexual and heterosexual partners who have themselves had multiple "relationships". There have even been cases of tainted blood used for transfusions. Other diseases less in the media spotlight also abound as a direct result of the widespread practice of zinaa. Zinaa leads to and encourages the departure of modesty and moral decorum. Indeed the fornicator or adulterer is spurred on and encouraged when men and women freely mix within society and indeed emphasis is placed on how "sexy" one can look or how much "animal attraction" one possesses. In turn, sexual exploitation, especially of women, becomes widespread and they willingly participate in that exploitation when their egos and vanity are appealed to. All this is to the advantage of the promoters of zinaa. Beauty (zeenah/jamaal) and sex (jins) are very big business. Even children are exploited. Modesty , chastity, lowering the gaze and covering of the body are the last thing wanted in societies where zinaa is rampant. Youth slogans and educational

campaigns like "Just say no" "Be patient" or "Pacts" to remain virgins until marriage have largely failed under the overwhelming societal messages that encourage sexual relationships without marriage. The Muslims Must Ask Themselves About Hypocrisy In Deeds We as Muslims must ask ourselves if we are encouraging this evil and destructive behavior among our community. Are we opening the door to it by allowing our children to read and watch anything they wish so that by the time they reach sexual maturity the main thing on their minds is sex? Have we shown them through example as well as words that nurturing a family is a noble goal in life and that family life is important and precious? Have we demonstrated within our families the type of wholesome, respectful and loving relationship that a husband and wife/mother and father should have? Do we men contradict ourselves and show ourselves to be hypocrites by demanding that our wives and daughters cover and act modestly while we eagerly smile in the face of every uncovered woman we meet, steal obvious glances at the bodies of attractive females that pass by, comment on womens looks to our wives, or spend so much time with our heads in magazines full of beauties or looking at sexy actresses or singers on TV and in films? Do our women spend too much time in front of the TV as well or have their heads buried in the latest movie gossip or fashion magazine filled with male and female models who exemplify the very self-centered focus on looks and beauty that we know is the height of immodesty? Are we nave enough to believe that a handsome man with a nice body does not affect or attract the female as the female affects the male? It is absolutely shameful that in some Muslim countries great pains are taken by censors to cut scenes where a womans shins may be exposed whereas no effort is taken to cut out scenes of men in bikini briefs going swimming or running etc.! Are the thoughts of our womenfolk not susceptible to conjuring up these images of men as regularly and commonly as is expected to come into the minds of males about females? We had better wake up! Do parents make unreasonable demands upon prospective spouses by making dowries (mahr) exorbitantly high thus preventing their daughters from getting married? Or do they reject suitor after suitor whose deen is impeccable because of the incorrect thinking that a large bank account the first criterion for marriage? Do they not realize that they may be the cause of their daughters unhappiness and frustration? Do they not reflect that their unIslamic attitude may fuel resentment and bitterness towards them and even worse drive their daughter to the sin of rebellion or worse? If we read accounts and listen to the stories within our community we know the sad answer to these questions. Let us take heed of the warnings of The Most Wise and His Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as well as their guidance. We really have no excuse before Allah and even the blind can see the decadence and immorality that has engulfed so much of the world. We have a responsibility to teach our children and raise them properly and to protect ourselves from this ugly and horrendous sin of zinaa. Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq