3. Ethics

ETHICS

• SEXUAL ETHICS IN ISLAM
• "Describe & Explain Islamic Ethical Teachings On Sexual Ethics"

Ethical Teachings

• The overall process of disceming the appropriateness of actions in particular situations is known as jurisprudence.
• Halal: permitted
• Haram: forbidden
• Sharia contains both legal & ethical principles. It is also separated into four broad categories:
• Aqidah: creed; belief related matters.
• Ibadah: religious worship & practices.
• Ahklaq: morality & ethics.
• Muamalah: social relations.
• The four sources of Sharia include:
• Qur'an (Contains revelation from Allah)
• Sunnah (Hadith - words & actions of the prophet Muhammad)
• Qiyas (Analogical Reasoning between Qur'an & Hadith)
• Ijma (Consensus among religious leaders)
• Every crime is a sin in Islam, but not every sin is a crime.

Ethical Teachings

• Humanity is Unique:
• Considered a unique creation because they have ability to know God. Thus, the ultimate purpose of a human being is to engage in a personal relationship with God.
• Female & male were made to complement one another:
• "Glory be to Him who created pairs of all things, of what the Earth grows, & of what they do not know." (Qur'an 36:36)
• Privacy must be accepted:
• Privacy of individuals & families are sacrosanct (sacred) & must be respected at all times.
• Sex is procreative:
• Sex unifies a couple & the main purpose is companionship, however it is also highly regarded as procreative.

Marriage Within Islam

• Strongly encouraged:
• "He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them." (Qur'an 30:21)
• Purpose of sexual relationships:
• Create spiritual connection to spouse & Allah --> "In nearness to Allah is the best of goals" (Qur'an 3:14)
• Procreation of children is important along with mutual love.
• Effective way of preserving Islam as a religion.

Pre/Extra Marital Sex

• Zina: unlawful sexual intercourse.
• Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is considered Haram.
• God prohibit it because it leads to negative outcomes such as unwanted pregnancies.
• Strong Sharia law punishment.
• "And do not approach adultery & fortification : indeed it is an abomination & an evil way." (Qur'an 17:32)

Contraception

• Muslims are encouraged to have children, however contraception is permitted.
• General consensus within the Hadith that all contraception is permitted as long as it does not damage health & reproductive capacity of the person - male or female.
• Permitted use of contemporary means of contraception.
• Reasons for contraception include: financial difficulty, emotional reasons, psychological hardship, having too many children, preservation of beauty & health.
• If conception does occur, the right to life of the baby overrides pregnancy termination.
• Cannot be used for enhancement of sexual desire or eliminating sexual frustration.

Homosexuality

• Although one is capable of homosexual behaviours does not mean this practice is lawful in the eyes of God.
• Homosexual behaviours is considered haram.
• Sexual behaviour outside of heterosexual marriage is not allowed as Allah made man & female to complement one another.
• "They are your garments and you are their garments." (Qur'an 2: 187)
• Must be four witnesses that verify homosexual act for conviction & punishment by the State to occur.
• Consequences of homosexual behaviour will be judged by God at the Day of Judgment.

Sexual Harassment

• Teaches to not stare lustfully at opposite sex, for the eye is the door to feelings. This prevents sexual harassment of women.
• "Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze & guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them." (Our'an 24: 30-31)
• Hence, Islamic dress is considered crucial for maintaining modesty.
• Many women wear the Hijab to prevent the transformation of women into sex objects.
• Ethical teachings indicate that the one who succeeds in the struggle of 'Jihad' can rise above & beyond the level of angels.
• Leads to closer relationship with Allah & preserves sexual dignity.

Polygamy

• Polygamy: the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at one time.
• Islam does not impose polygamy as a universal practice.
• Polygamy can be abused but it does not serve a valuable function. In times of war, polygamy is a practice used to alleviate pain in established & suffering widows & girls as women would rather have a shared husband then no husband at all.
• Accepted in cases were wife is chronically ill as a second wife alleviates the suffering & sexual tensions within the marriage.