Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam
Allah ﷻ has given a stern warning in the Qur’an for those who promote indecency and immorality:
وَالَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ ٱلْفَـٰحِشَةُ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (An-Nur: 19)
Translation: “Indeed, those who love that immorality should be spread among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, while you know not.”
This verse proves that those who promote or assist in spreading immorality will face disgrace in this world and painful torment in the Hereafter.
Allah ﷻ commands believers to avoid all avenues leading to immorality:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا (Al-Isra: 32)
Translation: “And do not approach adultery; indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”
By saying “Do not approach,” Allah forbids not just the act of adultery but anything that leads to it, such as obscene content, bad company, and lack of modesty.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبْغِضُ الْفَاحِشَ الْبَذِيءَ"
“Indeed, Allah hates those who are immoral and vulgar.” (Tirmidhi: 2002)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"وَالزُّنَاةُ فِي تَّنُّورٍ أَوْقَدَ عَلَيْهِمْ النَّارُ"
“Adulterers will be in a furnace, and fire will be kindled beneath them.” (Bukhari: 7047)
These Hadiths clearly indicate that those engaged in immorality and adultery will face severe punishment in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ" (Muslim: 49)
Translation: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; and if he is unable, then with his heart – and that is the weakest level of faith.”
Remaining silent in the face of immorality makes one complicit in the sin and is a sign of weak faith.
During his caliphate, whenever someone attempted to spread indecency, he would give them severe punishments to deter others and preserve the purity of the Islamic society.
He said: “If I find someone committing adultery, I will punish them severely so that it serves as a lesson for others.”
It is obligatory upon us all to raise our voices against immorality, safeguard our homes and society from this trial, and actively prevent others from it.
① Condemnation of Those Who Spread Immorality – In the Light of the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ has given a stern warning in the Qur’an for those who promote indecency and immorality:
وَالَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ ٱلْفَـٰحِشَةُ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (An-Nur: 19)
Translation: “Indeed, those who love that immorality should be spread among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah knows, while you know not.”
This verse proves that those who promote or assist in spreading immorality will face disgrace in this world and painful torment in the Hereafter.
② Prohibition of Going Near to Adultery
Allah ﷻ commands believers to avoid all avenues leading to immorality:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَـٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا (Al-Isra: 32)
Translation: “And do not approach adultery; indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.”
By saying “Do not approach,” Allah forbids not just the act of adultery but anything that leads to it, such as obscene content, bad company, and lack of modesty.
③ Severe Warnings for Those Involved in Immorality – In the Light of Hadith
a. Allah Hates Those Who Are Immoral
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبْغِضُ الْفَاحِشَ الْبَذِيءَ"
“Indeed, Allah hates those who are immoral and vulgar.” (Tirmidhi: 2002)
b. Adulterers Will Face Severe Punishment in the Hereafter
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"وَالزُّنَاةُ فِي تَّنُّورٍ أَوْقَدَ عَلَيْهِمْ النَّارُ"
“Adulterers will be in a furnace, and fire will be kindled beneath them.” (Bukhari: 7047)
These Hadiths clearly indicate that those engaged in immorality and adultery will face severe punishment in the Hereafter.
④ Condemnation of Those Who Remain Silent Against Immorality
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ" (Muslim: 49)
Translation: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; and if he is unable, then with his heart – and that is the weakest level of faith.”
Remaining silent in the face of immorality makes one complicit in the sin and is a sign of weak faith.
⑤ Consensus of the Companions Against Immorality
a. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه)
During his caliphate, whenever someone attempted to spread indecency, he would give them severe punishments to deter others and preserve the purity of the Islamic society.
b. Sayyiduna ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه)
He said: “If I find someone committing adultery, I will punish them severely so that it serves as a lesson for others.”
Conclusion
- Those who promote immorality are deserving of punishment in both worlds.
- Those indulging in immorality face Allah’s wrath and severe torment in the Hereafter.
- Those who remain silent against this evil share in the sin.
- The Companions (رضي الله عنهم) always took a firm stance against indecency.
It is obligatory upon us all to raise our voices against immorality, safeguard our homes and society from this trial, and actively prevent others from it.
