Epigraph:
Do they seek a religion other than Allah’s, while to Him submits whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him shall they be returned? (Al Quran 3:84)
For the Muslim Times’ collection on Family Values, please click here
Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
There is a marriage meltdown in USA, Canada and Europe. In the county of New York that I live in more than half the newborns are born out of the wedlock. Only 45% of all teenage children live with their married biological parents.
They are crying out for a solution.
Now more than 53% of women, in USA, over 18 are in the singles column.
They are crying out for a suitable marriage partner.
More than 20 million kids in the United States now live with one parent.
They are crying out for the missing parent.
A child living with a single mother is 14 times more likely to suffer serious physical abuse than is a child living with married biological parents. A child whose mother cohabits with a man other than the child’s father is 33 times more likely to suffer serious physical child abuse.
They are crying out for the missing father.
Millions of children are reported as abused and neglected every year.
They are crying out for a solution.
There are 42 million in USA with genital herpes.
They are crying out for a solution.
There are nearly 20 million cases of new sexually transmitted infections yearly in USA.
They are crying out for a solution.
More than 56 million fetuses have been aborted in USA alone in the last 40 years.
They are crying out for a solution.
As of 2009 there are 33.3 million people worldwide infected with HIV.
They are crying out for a solution.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are 140 million people with alcoholism worldwide. Alcohol abuse is associated with an increased risk of committing criminal offences, including child abuse, domestic violence,rape, burglary and assault.[49]
All these victims are crying out for a solution.
Last but not the least is Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Most HPV infections are subclinical and will cause no physical symptoms; however, in some people subclinical infections will become clinical and may cause benign papillomas (such as warts [verrucae] or squamous cell papilloma), or cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, mouth, throat and anus.[1]
HPV is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.[158] Most sexually active men and women will probably acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.[152] The American Social Health Association reported estimates that about 75–80% of sexually active Americans will be infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime.[159][160] By the age of 50 more than 80% of American women will have contracted at least one strain of genital HPV.[158][161][162]
Now, there is a vaccine against HPV. CDC now recommends this vaccine in USA for all preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12 so they are protected before ever being exposed to the virus.
But, they are crying out for a solution, better than that.
The Islamic solution is simple and clear in prohibition of alcohol use and addiction and promotion of chastity and marriage and prohibition of pre-marital or extra-marital sex.
The Holy Quran says:
Indeed, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and wrongful transgression. He admonished you that you may take heed. (Al Quran 16:91)
This day all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of the People of the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them. And lawful for you are chaste believing women and chaste women from among those who were given the Book before you, when you give them their dowries, contracting valid marriage and not committing fornication nor taking secret paramours. And whoever rejects the faith, his work has doubtless come to naught, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers. (Al Quran 5:6)
Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty save to their husbands, or to their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands or their sons or the sons of their husbands or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their women. (Al Quran 24:31-32)
But, the society has its head in the sand.
Sooner we in the West pull our heads out of sand and look around to notice the crying need for a solution, we will begin to seek a solution and I suggest that Islamic family values will make a large contribution, perhaps serve as a panacea, God sent!
Categories: Americas, Europe and Australia, Family Corner, Family values, The Muslim Times
Yes, there is no compulsion to accept the Islamic teachings but there is other way to get rid the major maladies of the world people of whatever faith.
The Islamic values should be adopted voluntarily to avoid any more troubles/ diseases.
“Now more than 53% of women, in USA, over 18 are in the singles column.”
You currently have an article on this subject on your homepage. It says many of these women are voluntarily single. In the article above however, you’re presenting it as though it’s a negative thing, because you follow it with: “They are crying out for a suitable marriage partner”.
This is misleading “journalism” – you’re trying to portray something which is actually positive i.e. individuals leading the lives they choose rather than caving to societal pressure – as a negative thing. Live and let live, and please stop preaching to people on how they should live THEIR lives.
And btw, your blurb about HPV is simply incorrect. Islam does not prevent HPV. People in islam can divorce; they can remarry – either following divorce or the death of a spouse. Islam also allows for men to have up to four wives. All of these situations allow for the spread of infection and disease, so to suggest that Muslim family values prevent HPV is simply false.
A very powerful article but except for alcoholism other domestic vices and divorce rate among young couples among Muslim communities is more than in Christians.
Strict and unwarranted segregation has actually added to the vices. A balanced approach which was part of Muslim society in time of holy prophet (saw) would result in more harmonious unions
We live in a world were women are paid to be naked and fined to be covered, unbelievable! Sisters if you want to wear the niqab you do that. Inshallah you are rewarded for your efforts and commitment in the hereafter. A woman should be free to wear what she likes, if you going to ban a woman for covering up herself, please also ban woman that fail to cover up. The only people who will suffer are Muslim women. A ban would be unjust. One of the best things about this country is its tolerance. Let us remain tolerant.
I’m surprised we’re not top! our teenagers are selfish, disgusting, loud, drunks and trouble makers when they are out and that includes girls.. This country’s youngsters are embarrassing and they are the same when they are abroad…I don’t know what’s happened… Why is this not surprising? most teenagers now days have terrible morals, horrible personalities and think that the most important thing in the world is looking good, being popular and being in a relationship. Most girls are fake looking and trashy and boys have lost that ‘gentleman’ quality about them. Teenagers nowadays are vile and I say this a NINETEEN year old. It disgusts me that being smart, virginal or sensible is seen as ‘stupid’ or ‘not cool’. It’s so sad.
What’s the point of the legal age being 16 when you are being taught at school that it’s ok as long as you practice safe sex. Nothing about love, respect, serious relationships or more importantly abstinence! Oh and something needs to be done about BOYS, too! Girls can’t be the only ones responsible for resisting pressure you know. More sex education in schools = more teenage pregnancies= more abortions. One of the problems is that now in schools we are taught safe sex at an early age, and not abstinence. The message was basically that sex at a young age is fine as long as it’s practiced safely. It should be taught that at such a young age, neither protected or unprotected sex is ok. The message is simply not clear enough.
Indiscipline, incivility, binge drinking, drug addiction, gun and knife crimes, teenage pregnancies and abortion are part and parcel of British schooling. These are the reasons why majority of Muslim parents would like to send their children to Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. Only less than 5% attend Muslim schools and more than 95% keep on attending state and church schools to be mis-educated and de-educated by non-Muslim monolingual teachers.
There are hundreds of state and church schools where Muslim children are in majority. In my opinion, all such schools may be opted out as Muslim Academies. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school.
IA
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
Just go back to where you or your parents came from. Keep your backwards religion and beliefs away from secular UK. Why can’t you just stay in your Muslim country instead of criticizing modern rights and values of western world? I hope you wear your head covers so normal people can recognize and avoid you.
The Qur’anic Calls!
The Gracious Qur’an calls, again and again, for Man’s Quality of Life. Thus, the Homo sapiens’ Socio-Economic and Political welfare have to be paramount. The Muslim World needs to ponder on its savoir-faire in our Global Village to eradicating Rampant Illiteracy, Abject Poverty, Gender Inequality, to participating more in Science and Technology, in Justice and Peace.
It’s time for The Muslim World to start having INTRA-FAITH Dialogue, and to get rid of its ongoing Malaise. Then “The Other” will show its deep appreciation and respect to the ISLAMIC VALUES, no doubt.
” WE explain the Signs in detail for those who reflect.” The Gracious Qur’an 10:24
Umar Solim – England
It is beyond doubt that the Creator cares alot for His creation.The dos and donts of Islam are there to be implemented to SAVE lives,religion,intellect,honour and property rather than impose restrictions on man’s liberties.They are there to reduce the crime rate if not eliminate it.Such Divine commandments need thorough investigation by international bodies like the WHO in light of modern scientific discoveries.Sincere joint efforts should be exerted to stop global genocide through family destruction.Children the worldover are entitle to parental care to be a ble to lead a decent life.May God save humanity at large…Amen
Some of the criticism against the article, in the comments above, arises out of totalitarian and black and white thinking. “Either you are with us or against us,” kind of mentality. Either you are for the West or the East, for the Muslims or the Christians?
As if there is no middle ground?
There is a lot of good in the Western countries and every one needs to learn from that for example rule of the law, submission to reason and logic and the “will” of the majority, within limits of reason, etc.
But, here I am talking only about what all of us can learn from the verses of the Holy Quran, which I quoted in the article and mention again here, no more and no less:
A Regrettable Situation!
It’s not a matter of ” either you are with the West or the East, for the Muslims or the Christians “, but to consider THE SHAHADAH as a workable proof for any society’s welfare, indeed for the homo sapiens’ quality of life on this resplendent planet; to present AL-ISLAM, per se, as a synthesis to the shortcomings of Capitalism and Socialism. The Muslim World seems to be still trapped into its centuries old internecine, to go on being divided into Brands and sub-brands. This is the 21st century, the Muslim World is in a regrettable situation, really.
The Glorious Qur’an is replete with chapters and verses for the believers to actualising their Spiritual endeavours into deeds conducive to the homo sapiens’ well-being on this magnificent abode. The Noble Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) accomplished his Spiritual and Temporal duties to the total pleasure of THE CREATOR – The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful, The Giver and Only Possessor of Foreknowledge, The Lover of Beauty, The Master of the Worlds as follows: ” You have indeed in The Apostle of GOD the most excellent example ” Al-Ahzab 33:21
“Some of the criticism against the article, in the comments above, arises out of totalitarian and black and white thinking. “Either you are with us or against us,” kind of mentality. Either you are for the West or the East, for the Muslims or the Christians?
As if there is no middle ground?”
____________________
With respect, the criticism of your article is based on the fact much of what is written is false.
And talking of middle ground, you’ve not offered any. The tone of this article is this: Be a “chaste believing woman…and not committing fornication” or be a woman in “the single column” or a single mother, probably with HPV. Cover yourself up, unless in the company of immediate male relatives, or be a woman in “the single column” or a single mother, probably with HPV. These are blacks and whites; not the middle ground.
The Quranic injunctions have always seemed backwards and lacking to the people today, but every now and then it is proven that indeed it is not the Quran that is lacking in its knowledge but the modern people. This article is one of those proofs.
@Al
It is not all or none or totalitarian.
Any movement from promiscuity towards chastity and marriage will be a step in the right direction.
@Al
It is not all or none or totalitarian.
Any movement from promiscuity towards chastity and marriage will be a step in the right direction.
________________________
But promiscuity means having casual sex, frequently, with a variety of partners. The article makes no mention of this. Having children out of wedlock does not automatically infer promiscuity by the child’s mother; there is no suggestion that the 53% of single women referred to in the article are promiscuous; that the single mothers referred to in the article are promiscuous; that those who have pre-martial sex are promiscuous; that the 33.3 million people infected with HIV were infected because there are promiscuous; and that the 80% of American women with HPV are promiscuous (after all, muslim women are called for cervical smear tests too).
You’re generalising and making unfair value judgments about non-Muslims.
And why is choosing not to marry a bad thing? What is the problem with 53% of women being single? This is the problem I have – imposing on others and telling them how they should be living their lives.
(Ukweli unauma) is a swahili saying which means truth pains.@AL.