discharge. In animals, the sex impulses are controlled by nature and
the sex drive arises only when nature wishes to bring about
conception. Animals, therefore, cannot rear a "planned family"
Man, on the other hand, possesses freedom of choice, including
sexual matters, so that he may bring children into the world
according to his own plans. He may, however, abuse his freedom
and indulge in sex for the sake of pleasure, which results in
accidental and unwanted births with all the misadjustments that
follow for the individual as well as for society.
To save man from such a ruinous situation and to bring about,
instead, healthy results, the Qur'an asks us to practice self-control.
If self-control is practised, the sex impulse can be directed into
healthy channels. Needless to say that it will prove to be beneficial to
the individual as well as to the society at large. It will strengthen the
moral fibre of man and, at the same time, avert the danger of
overpopulation.
To sum up, the Qur'an seeks to regulate the sex behaviour of man
in the following ways:
- It asks man to keep his eye fixed steadily on the purpose of
life. It assures him that he can achieve this purpose by
pursuing absolute values. - It assures woman that she is not a tool for the sex
gratification of man; that she too is a free, independent and
rational being. "She is an end unto herself." Her aim in life
should not be to make herself a source of temptation to
men but to impart meaningful partnership. - The Qur'an condemns lewdness, indecency, pornography
and all things that excite and ponder to the sex passion:
Say, my Rabb forbiddeth indecencies, such of them as are
apparent and such as are within (7:33). - It affirms the value of chastity and commands men and
women equally to lead a pure and chaste life. It regards
chastity as essential for the development of human
personality, both for man and woman. - It reminds man of his duty to his children. He is enjoined to
bring up his children properly, to educate them, to inculcate in
their minds the human level of life (as against the animal level)
and permanent values, and to give them a fair start in life.
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