ZINA/FORNICATION

Assalamu Alaikum warahmatuLlah

All Praises Are Allah's; Blessings and Salutations upon his HiS noble Prophet. May Allah bless his household and companions and guide us in his obedience. Aameen

Our topic for tonight is *Zina* translated as *Fornication* in our  English parlance

Firstly what is Zina/fornication and what constitutes it?*

The answer to this comes in the hadith of the Prophet PBUH where he says;

“Allah has decreed for every son of Adam his share of zina, which he will inevitably commit. The zina of the eyes is looking, the zina of the tongue is speaking, one may wish and desire, and the private parts confirm that or deny it.”[Narrated by al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

From this we find out not only is Zina penetration but there's the hands, eyes and so on but in shaa Allah we'll focus on the Zina of the private part. Thus; Fornication

Undoubtedly fornication is an impermissible act in Islam such that when Allah warns about it, HE warns in a different & scary way and orders not even getting close or near to it.

Allah says;

Surah Al-Isra, Verse 32*

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا

And go not nigh to fornication; surely it is an indecency and an evil way.

Also considering the how huge fornication is a transgression to Allah, HE orders the perpetrators of it *100 lashes* first on this earth and may Allah protect if they don't repent the punishment of the next awaits them.

A lot of us constantly fall into this evil deed because of our *failure of lowering our gaze*

Allah instructs both the believing men & women to lower their gaze which will help them guard & protect their private organs. *[Surat Nuur(24) : 30-31]*

Allowing the gaze or sight to wander freely without being heedful about the things we see causes sickness of the heart and may Allah forbid the evil capabilities of an sickness or corrupted heart. The eye indeed influences the heart.

Also *Freemixing & being alone with the opposite sex*leads us to fornication.

The Prophet PBUH in Sunan Tirmidhi said; *A man is not  alone with a woman except that shaytaan is the 3rd.

The purpose of shaytaan in our lives is to incite us into falling into evil which later we will be remorseful about. The solitude-ness with the opposite sex provides such perfect opportunity for him to make us commit fornication after which later it will be all regret and disappointment.

My dear Bros & Sisters; never be convinced of your piety/chastity and be sure you wouldn't commit fornication due to your loneliness with the opposite sex but remember the tempting nature of this world which not surprising Allah prohibited things that leads to fornication like illegal hugging, kissing, including being alone with the opposite sex. Another cause of fornication in our societies these days is *Expensive Dowries*

Unfortunately many parents have made their daughters commodities and a criteria they've place in marrying their daughters off is in no way different like the rise of dollar. Unnecessary demanding of things which in no way can or will lead to the success of the marriage.

Also considering the how huge fornication is a transgression to Allah, HE orders the perpetrators of it *100 lashes* first on this earth and may Allah protect if they don't repent the punishment of the next awaits them.

A lot of us constantly fall into this evil deed because of our *failure of lowering our gaze*

Allah instructs both the believing men & women to lower their gaze which will help them guard & protect their private organs. *[Surat Nuur(24) : 30-31]*

Allowing the gaze or sight to wander freely without being heedful about the things we see causes sickness of the heart and may Allah forbid the evil capabilities of an sickness or corrupted heart. The eye indeed influences the heart.

Also *Freemixing & being alone with the opposite sex*leads us to fornication.

The Prophet PBUH in Sunan Tirmidhi said; *A man is not  alone with a woman except that shaytaan is the 3rd.

The purpose of shaytaan in our lives is to incite us into falling into evil which later we will be remorseful about. The solitude-ness with the opposite sex provides such perfect opportunity for him to make us commit fornication after which later it will be all regret and disappointment.

My dear Bros & Sisters; never be convinced of your piety/chastity and be sure you wouldn't commit fornication due to your loneliness with the opposite sex but remember the tempting nature of this world which not surprising Allah prohibited things that leads to fornication like illegal hugging, kissing, including being alone with the opposite sex. Another cause of fornication in our societies these days is *Expensive Dowries*

Unfortunately many parents have made their daughters commodities and a criteria they've place in marrying their daughters off is in no way different like the rise of dollar. Unnecessary demanding of things which in no way can or will lead to the success of the marriage.

Until the means of marriage is made easy for those wanting to marry then I'm afraid the chapter of fornication in our societies won't be closed.

The Prophet PBUH said; *If the proposal of a man comes to you for your daughter and you find peace with his religion & character then make them marry, else you only will make way for fitnah in this world.

Part of the fitnah is fornication.

May Allah protect. Aameen

This issue of expensive dowries is more of a family/social issue than an individual one.

Another cause is *Bad Company & Friendship*

The people we associate with day in day out shape the kind of lives and acts we engage in the long run. Its unsurprising that the Prophet PBUH said; a person is on the path of his friend so anyone of you should be watchful who he befriends. If you are surrounded by good people with God fearing characters then you are on the path Allah instructs and may Allah forbid the other path. Aameen.

Another cause is *Flirting among the opposite sex*

My dear brothers & sisters if anything at all Islam instructs us to deal with people with dignity and respect. We today Muslims have taken this to a different level and with the help of social media flirting with even those we don't know has become the order of our moments. The end of every great thing has a strong foundation, with the foundation of your interaction with your non-mahram being flirty words and illegal gestures then what great evil end are you planning for yourself my dear one. Allah says in Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 32 impressing on not beautifying our speeches especially the lady to avoid temptations.

.َّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُوفًا

then be not soft in (your) speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease yearn; and speak a good word. Fornication has & brings about *negative effects* in the life of a person. *It makes a  person looses their state of title as a believer.* The Prophet PBUH mentioned 4 things of which Fornication was included that; there's no way a person commits it and they'll be in the state of believe. (Muslim & Bukhari)

Also fornication leads to *Anger & displeasure* of Allah as it is transgressing of HIS commands. It also leads to *Poverty and the door to other sins* causing *loss of a blessed life* & *darkness of the heart*

Now the way forward; I would be untruthful if I don't acknowledge the sensitivity and tempting nature of our era now. Avenues for Fornication are just a hand stretch from each one of us but we  ought to *fear Allah and remain steadfast* and not become victims of our lusts & desires. Fornication & sin in general won't lead to nothing but increasing worry and degeneration in our lives.

Where is the joy of committing a deed when you'll be punished for it later my dear one. Way forward, in case you have fallen victim of this grievous deed and you want to repent from it never lose hope.

No matter how great your sin is; Allah's mercy is greater. You need 3 things and they are;

~ be remorseful & have a sense of regret for committing the deed

~ leave the sin

& ~ Never go back to it again. Don't sin and repent Thursday evening and Saturday night you on it again. In this tempting world things that can save us are  my brothers & sister;

~ Being serious with our prayers & Constant reading of the Qur'an. ~ Making Dua to Allah to save us from falling into temptations and keeping us from sins.

Abu Hurayra RA used to make a dua;

*Allahumma inni Audhubika  An Aznii Wa Asriq*

 (O Allah I seek refuge in you from Fornicating and stealing. Someone said to him; a great person like you, a companion of the Prophet and you afraid.

Abu Hurayra RA replied him and said; I have to be afraid the Prophet PBUH is gone but shaytaan is still much with us. ~ Another is keeping good friends & company.

~ constructive interactions with the opposite sex. ~ Fasting constantly as it reduces a persons yearn for sexual activity. ~ Lastly & importantly easing the avenues of marriage. May Allah protect us from the tests of time & make us come out successfully. Aameen.

May He inspire us to see good and follow it, guide us to identify false and shun it. Aameen.

May Allah grant us good in this life & the hereafter. Aameen

I end here and whatever I've said of good is from Allah and then HIS messenger and the faults and mistakes is from my fallible self and shaytaan.

Assalamu Alaikum warahmatuLlah😊