This excerpt is taken from Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi's book Halal and Haram in Islam, translated into Urdu by Muhammad Tahir Naqqash.
The Scope of Natural Instincts (Desires)
Allah Almighty created human beings to be the vicegerents (deputies) on earth and to populate it. This purpose can only be fulfilled if the human species continues to exist and lives in such a way that agriculture, industry, construction, and settlement activities are carried out by them, and also that they fulfill the rights of Allah Almighty upon them. To accomplish this purpose, Allah Almighty has placed natural instincts and psychological drives within humans that compel them to adopt means for the survival of both the individual and the species.
Among these is the drive of hunger, which ensures the continuation of a person's existence through satiation. Another drive is sexual desire, upon which the survival of the human species depends. This is a very strong and uncontrollable drive. Its characteristic is that it demands from every breathing being the fulfillment of its insatiable desire. Therefore, it is inevitable for humans to adopt one of three positions.
Different Human Attitudes Regarding Sexual Preaching:
➊ One stance is that this desire should be left completely free to work wherever and however it wants. There should be no religious, moral, or customary obstacle for it. Religions of permissiveness, which neither accept any religion nor acknowledge moral virtues, advocate this. This stance degrades a human from the status of humanity to the level of animality and causes corruption in the individual, family, and society.
➋ The second stance is that one should confront this desire and try to suppress it, as is the slogan of religions that believe in austerity, deprivation, and misfortune; monasticism and asceticism are examples of this. This stance crushes this desire and is entirely contrary to the wisdom according to which humans have been given a specific constitution and created with this particular nature. Moreover, this stance conflicts with the way of life that facilitates the fulfillment of these natural desires.
➌ The third stance is that limits should be set for this desire so that it remains free within its boundaries. It should neither be crushed nor left completely free to the point of madness. The revealed religions have adopted this stance. These religions have declared adultery forbidden and marriage permissible; especially Islam has accepted this desire and opened a legitimate path for it. It has prohibited detachment from women and living a celibate life, while it has strictly forbidden adultery, its related acts, and causes.
This stance is based on justice and moderation. If marriage had not been made lawful, this desire could not have served the continuity of the human race. And if adultery had not been forbidden and it was not made necessary for a man to designate a woman for himself, the formation of the family would not have been possible, under whose shelter evolving social emotions like affection, mercy, compassion, love, and sacrifice are nurtured. And without the family, neither would society be formed nor would it progress and advance on the path of development and perfection.
Do not come close to adultery
When we see that all heavenly religions agree on the prohibition of adultery and its sanctity, we are not surprised. Islam, being the final religion, has strictly forbidden it because its consequences result in the mixing of lineage, oppression of one's own offspring, degradation of the family, disruption of relationships, spread of diseases, emergence of lust, and moral decay. Allah Almighty has rightly said:
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَىٰ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا
"Do not approach adultery. Indeed, it is an immorality and an evil way."
Reference: Surah Al-Isra: 32
When Islam declares something forbidden, it also blocks the paths leading to it and declares all its means, causes, and motivations forbidden as well.
Therefore, things that awaken dormant desires, open the door of temptation for men and women, encourage immorality, bring one closer to it, or pave the way for it, are prohibited and forbidden as a means of prevention or to remove corruption.
