Society’s Moral Values and the Problem of Immodesty
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, All praise is due to Allah (SWT), the Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon all His prophets and their companions.
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is a fact that we are living in the end times. With each passing day, the foundations of our societies are being shaken, and our moral values are eroding. There are many issues that we can address, but we must start somewhere. Therefore, today, I would like to draw attention to the brazen act of adultery openly committed in public places. A post I came across on Twitter in recent days deeply affected me, prompting me to write this article.
Our most High and Glorious Lord, Allah (SWT), informs us in a verse of the Qur’an that engaging in adultery is a grave sin:
“Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Surah Al-Isra, 32)
Notice that our Lord not only forbids us from committing adultery but also from approaching it. According to the Kuran Yolu interpretation, this statement emphasizes that we should avoid any behavior that may lead to adultery. Following the prohibition of adultery, it is said, “Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way,” indicating that adultery goes against human nature and sound reason.
To fully explain adultery, a hadith from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) comes to mind:
“Every son of Adam commits adultery, and there is no way to escape it. The eye commits adultery when it looks, the tongue commits adultery when it speaks, the hand commits adultery when it touches, the foot commits adultery when it walks, and the heart commits adultery when it desires and hopes.” (Bukhari, Istizan 12, Qadar 9; Muslim, Qadar 20–21. Also, see Abu Dawood, Marriage 43)
This hadith makes it clear that adultery is not limited to the physical act alone. Therefore, our Lord commands us not to even approach it. In another hadith, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warns of the future:
“The Hour will not be established until there is no good left. A time will come when a man will pass by another man’s grave and wish that he were in the latter’s place, because of that which he sees of afflictions. He will say, ‘I wish I were in his place.” (Al-Mustadrak)
Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) in this hadith indicates that moral issues like immodesty will become widespread over time, based on the knowledge granted by Allah.
Unfortunately, this immoral, evil, and shameless act has now begun to be openly committed in public places and is increasing day by day. According to Islam, adultery is counted among the major sins. This act is a sin both in this world and in the hereafter, and it carries a punishment.
The punishment for adultery in Islam is as follows:
“The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse — lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.” (Surah An-Nur, 2)
In our country:
Indecent acts are explicitly mentioned in Article 225 of the Turkish Penal Code. Engaging in sexual activities openly in a public place is considered a crime. When one of the indecent acts or exhibitionism actions mentioned in the law is committed, indecent acts are considered to have been committed. Those who engage in sexual intercourse openly or engage in exhibitionism will be considered to have committed indecent acts. The person who commits open sexual intercourse or exhibitionism will be punished with imprisonment for a term of six months to one year.
Worldwide:
In many countries, this action is considered a serious crime because it leads to the deterioration of societal morals, and it is subject to significant penalties.
Those who witness such behavior should first warn and report to the nearest law enforcement authorities if the behavior continues or if there is an aggressive reaction.
Adultery not only destroys the family structure and the social fabric of society but also contributes to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Some treatable sexually transmitted diseases include syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, while untreatable or deadly ones include hepatitis B, herpes simplex, HIV (AIDS), and HPV. We will explore these diseases in more detail in other articles. In addition to physical diseases, moral issues such as adultery and immodesty can also harm people’s spirituality. The wrath of Allah, the burden of conscience, and even loss of faith can result from these moral diseases.
Regrettably, media broadcasts and the internet are causing significant adverse effects on family life. Obscene content often follows policies that seriously harm our cultural and religious values. Since the largest audience for media tools is young people and children, it should not be forgotten that this damage affects them the most.
It is essential for each individual to bear their moral responsibility. Individual irresponsibility negatively affects the morals of society.
Technology companies in various sectors such as technology, health, textiles, food, and others contribute to the problem by promoting behaviors contrary to human nature. Since young people and children have not completed their mental and physical development, they are more vulnerable than adults. According to the data announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the rate of sexual offenses increased fivefold between 2021 and 2022 in Turkey.
Our Lord, Allah (SWT), says in the Quran:
“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Al-Imran, 110)
“Indeed, you are of a great moral character.” (Surah Al-Qalam, 4)
These verses emphasize the significant role of individuals in society. Our Lord describes us as “the best nation” in the sense that we should encourage good and discourage evil. This highlights the lofty purpose of humanity’s creation.
The sudden correction of this societal disorder is undoubtedly challenging. Still, we must first address this issue and seek solutions. Here are some suggested solutions:
Religious and Spiritual Guidance: Islamic scholars play a crucial role in conveying the importance of moral values to society and providing guidance. Spiritual guidance can strengthen society’s moral consciousness.
Education and Awareness: Education is essential for society to respect moral values and prevent immodesty. Especially the younger generation must understand and internalize these values. Families, schools, and community leaders can play an active role in this regard.
Family Communication: Families should establish open communication with their children to instill moral values. Effective family communication plays a key role in transmitting these values.
Protection from Media: Families should monitor their children’s media consumption and establish household media rules to protect them from the negative effects of media. Encouraging positive and educational content is also essential.
Guidance and Support for Youth: Adolescents go through challenging phases in their development. Society should guide and support young people, be sensitive to their needs, and help them grow healthily.
Legal Penalties: Effective enforcement of laws to prevent social harm like immodesty is crucial. The justice system should operate to deter such offenses.
Public Awareness: Public awareness campaigns should educate the public about the importance of protecting societal moral values and addressing issues like immodesty. Civil society organizations, media, and community leaders can play a role in this.
Kindness and Support: Encouraging a culture of kindness and support contributes to a stronger society. People should support each other and work together to prevent negative behaviors.
Justice and Equality: The justice system must operate effectively to protect moral values in society. Ensuring justice can enhance trust in the community.
In conclusion, efforts to preserve society’s moral values and combat issues like immodesty can be made more effective by combining various factors such as education, awareness, family support, law enforcement, and public awareness. These efforts can contribute to the creation of a healthier and more just society. Finally, I would like to share the following hadith with you:
“No father has given his children anything better than good moral character.” (Tirmidhi, Birr, 33; Ibn Hanbel, IV, 77)
Insha’Allah, we can save all our brothers and sisters from this calamity. I hope that each of us makes an effort to overcome this difficulty and work together to protect societal moral values.
And peace be upon you all…
