Liberalism, Unbridled Freedom, and the Root of Sexual Crimes
❖ Sexual Crimes in Society and Conflicting Ideologies
The rise of sexual crimes in society has prompted two ideological camps—Islamists and Liberals—to present their own views and proposed solutions. The fundamental difference between them lies in how they perceive the causes of these crimes and what they believe to be the most effective remedies.
❖ The Islamist Perspective
Islamists argue that:
◈ Restricting unnecessary interaction between men and women and enforcing ḥijāb for women can significantly reduce sexual provocation in society.
◈ A state-level ban on pornographic content can help curb immorality and lower the incidence of sexual crimes.
◈ Facilitating marriage, allowing early marriages, and encouraging polygyny, in line with Prophetic practice, can reduce social decay and offer protection to women.
◈ Children should be raised with Islamic moral teachings, so they understand the difference between ḥalāl and ḥarām, good and evil.
◈ To eliminate rape, even consensual illicit sex (zinā bil-riḍā) must be criminalized. Brothels must be shut down, and the family structure preserved.
◈ Public execution of rapists serves as a strong deterrent and a lesson for others.
❖ The Liberal Viewpoint
On the other hand, liberals put forth the following arguments:
◈ A woman’s body, her choice—she should be free to go wherever she wants and wear whatever she pleases. Men are responsible for controlling their gaze.
◈ Pornography is a form of art, and should be treated as entertainment, not as a cause of sexual crime.
◈ Child marriage and polygyny are seen as violations of human rights, not solutions, and are believed to encourage further abuse.
◈ Children should be given sexual education from an early age, and allowed freedom to make their own decisions.
◈ Prostitution is considered a profession, where a sex worker uses their body to earn—just like any other physical laborer.
◈ Any sexual act done with mutual consent is not a crime but a personal right.
◈ Capital punishment is a violation of human rights—even a rapist has the right to live.
❖ The Dilemma of Liberalism
Liberals offer no concrete solution to the problem of sexual crimes—other than legitimizing everything based on consent. According to their viewpoint:
✘ Ḥijāb is unnecessary, and so are strict punishments.
✘ Sexual freedom should not be curtailed, and stringent laws are undesirable.
✘ They imagine a society with absolute freedom, rampant sexuality, yet somehow free from crime!
❖ The Islamic Approach: Defined Boundaries and Justice
In contrast, Islamic teachings emphasize that the elimination of sexual crimes requires:
✔ Strict legal frameworks
✔ Moral and ethical training
✔ Clear social boundaries
The death penalty for rapists is an act of justice in Islam, while liberals reject it under the banner of human rights—even if it means allowing criminals to walk free in the name of personal liberty.
