By Abu Ubayy Sharif Hamzah
What is Zina?
Az-Zina (fornication or adultery) is a broad term for any of a series of unlawful activities which leads to a sexual intercourse between two people of the opposite sex who are not legally married.
Thus Zina can be characterized into the Zina of the hands, face, ears e.t.c.
What is Islamic Marriage?
A legal marriage in Islam involves the following:
1. A proposal by the man and acceptance of the proposal by the woman.
2. Acceptance by the Waliyy who can be the woman's father or anyone appointed by him, or anyone next to him, after his demise.
3. Âqidun-Nikaah (the marriage contract): This is what makes the spouse accessible to each other and makes any movement such as touching, kissing, sex and others permissible between them according to the Sharee'ah.
4. Witnesses: These are people who will testify to the marriage of the couples.
A man and a woman living together as husband and wife without marriage are committing zina (fornication) even if they have been living together for decades.
Children gotten from such relationships are bastards thus they cannot inherit the man's property.
Zina (fornication) is one of the major sins in Islam with clear and various punishments for people who engage in it.
The punishment of zina (fornication) is stated in the Holy Qur'an and in the Ahadeeth of the Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Allah, The Most High warned us from going near fornication:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (Al-Isra: 32)
This is the Tafseer (explanation) of the verse by Al-Imaam b. Katheer (may Allaah show mercy to him):
'This is the command to avoid Zina (fornication) and everything that leads to it. Allah says, forbidding His servants to commit Zina or to approach it or to do anything that may lead to it:
وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً
(And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a fahishah (immoral sin)) meaning a major sin,
وَسَآءَ سَبِيلاً
(and an evil way.) meaning, a terrible way to behave.
Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Umamah saying that a young man came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Give me the permission to commit Zina (unlawful sex).'' The people surrounded him and rebuked him, saying, "Stop! Stop!'' But the Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said the young man should come closer. Then he asked him to sit.
He said: 'Would you like it for your mother?
He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.''
The Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Neither do the people like it for their mothers.'
The Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Would you like it for your daughter?'
He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.''
The Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam -said, 'Neither do the people like it for their daughters.'
The Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Would you like it for your sister?'
He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.''
The Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Neither do the people like it for their sisters.'
The Prophet- sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Would you like it for your paternal aunt?'
He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! may I be ransomed for you.''
The Prophet- sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Neither do the people like it for their paternal aunts.'
The Prophet- sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Would you like it for your maternal aunt?'
He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! may I be ransomed for you.''
The Prophet- sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - said, 'Neither do the people like it for their maternal aunts.'
Then the Prophet - sallallaahu alahyi wa sallam - put his hand on him and said, 'O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity.'
After that the young man never paid attention to anything of that nature.
Scholars have always explained how Allah started this verse; "And do not come near....." (As-'Isra: 32). This could be literally understood as: what you don't come near, you will be able to avoid it.
Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend is a way of coming near Zina as all the things involved invite one to Zina .
(To be cont'd Inshaa Allaah).
Click here for part one.
