Radiance, during the last 50 years, has addressed the issue of AIDS on many occasions and in different perspectives. It spoke on how AIDS creates havoc and also on the disease worldwide, especially in Mumbai (10-16 October 2004) and in Africa (6-12 May 2001). There is uproar all over the world about this horrible disease called AIDS. It has become a major health problem worldwide. Physicians and giant pharmaceutical companies are feverishly busy in finding cure for this deadly disease. Billions of dollars have been allocated by the governments of various countries for research on AIDS. AIDS has been declared as ‘Plague of the Century’ by some medical authorities. There is no cure, anyone can become infected, men, women, children; rich and poor alike. Today, more than 12 million people worldwide are infected with AIDS. It is spreading so rapidly that it has surpassed all previous estimates. Presently, in France alone, one person dies of AIDS every 3 hours.
The word ‘AIDS’ stands for ACQUIRED IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY SYNDROME. It is caused by a tiny germ known as HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY VIRUS or HIV. This virus destroys the body’s natural ability to fight against all infections, thus clearing the way for various opportunistic infections which lead to the disease AIDS.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) maintains that the major mode of transmission of the disease AIDS is through sexual contact with the infected persons. The disease, therefore, can be transmitted from woman to man, man to woman, woman to woman, or man to man. Dr. Muhammed Ejaz Ahmed in his article in Radiance (11-17 June 2000) has already claimed that homosexuality is an unnatural sex offence. It is one of the worst forms of sexual permissiveness, and sexual promiscuity, which is rampant in western societies, which are main causes of the spread of this disease. It can also be transmitted through blood by transfusing the blood of HIV-infected persons to others. Similarly, the disease is common among drug addicts who share infected needles and syringes.
The disease AIDS is a living sign of the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) who made a prophecy about it over 1400 years ago. He said, ‘Whenever unlawful sexual conduct prevails with a society to the point that they feel no shame in disclosing it and doing it openly, then they shall suffer the Plague and such painful illnesses that their ancestors have never experienced.’ (Ibn-e-Majah)
How precisely has the prophecy been fulfilled in our time! The scientists of today have not only described AIDS as ‘the Plague of the Century’ but also observed that the virus causing AIDS becomes more aggressive and highly dangerous when it is travelling rapidly through a population. That exactly is the case in a highly promiscuous society. This clearly proves that AIDS is a heavenly punishment for immorality and sexual perversities.
Radiance (2-8 July 2000) has dealt with the scientific aspect as to how the Male Circumcision helps protect against HIV infection. It has been established scientifically that AIDS took its start in the Christian part of the world. This event also bears a resemblance with the plague that broke out approximately 100 years after the advent of Jesus Christ when it affected mostly the areas where Jesus Christ was rejected.
In an issue of Radiance, it is mentioned that ‘Cipla offers anti-AIDS drug’, but the ultimate solution to this problem lies in observing the Islamic teachings. When we look at the causes of AIDS, it becomes absolutely clear that it is the un-Islamic practices that are responsible for this disease. A huge amount of money is being spent by various governments and other agencies to find a cure. Amazingly, the conclusions that the scientists have drawn are exactly what Islam has taught us. A renowned AIDS researcher, Dr. Ron Bayen of New York says, “Only a change in sexual behaviour and a war against drugs can stop the progress of the disease.”
Islam prohibits polyandry as it is very strong means through which the disease can be transmitted. A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual partners at the same time and has a chance of acquiring sexually transmitted disease, which can also be transmitted back to her husbands even if all of them have no extra-marital sex. Islam also discourages sex outside the fold of marriage as it also has high chances of transmission of the deadly disease.
A ‘World Health Organisation’ report reads, “In the absence of effective vaccine or drug, only intervention that successfully changes people’s behaviour can slow further spread of HIV, which is transmitted for the most part through sexual intercourse. Yet another booklet entitled “FACTS ABOUT AIDS”, giving advice to the public says, “Stick to your faithful partner or partners. Avoid casual sex or multiple partners.” The aforementioned ‘change in sexual behaviour’ is nothing but to observe Islamic ways concerning sexual relations. Similarly, ‘the faithful partner’ is none but a God fearing spouse.
In another article published in Radiance in November 1994, it has addressed the issue of AIDS with the title, ‘The Dead Sea: A Warning to Mankind’ (Radiance, 22-28 Nov. 1992). But Allah has already given the warning 1400 years ago. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts) except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors” (Qur’ān 23:5-7). The verses provide a clear guidance for one’s sexual relations and prohibit all sorts of pre-marital, extra-marital or casual sex, which are the characteristics of a sexually promiscuous society.
Islam requires all men and women to get married when they are capable of doing so. For guarding one’s chastity before the time of marriage, the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has advised ‘fasting’. Moreover, Islam also permits so, to have more than one wife, but not to exceed 4 at any one time because it is beyond human capacity and doing so has always led to unmanageable difficulties on both sides.
The institution of marriage, which furnishes a basic solution to the problem of AIDS, is a sacred institution in Islam. On one hand, a normal marriage leads to procreation, sustenance of human race, which is the cardinal reason for the institution of marriage, while on the other hand, it lays heavy responsibility on the parents regarding training and modelling of future generation. The Qur’ān and hadith provide detailed guidance about the institution of marriage. For example, Islam advises its followers to give preference to righteousness and chastity of a woman while selecting one’s wife. That is to lay a firm foundation of an ideal healthy family.
Similarly, we are provided with adequate guidance, admonition and counselling in the Qur’ān, Sunnah and Hadith about our moral conduct which, if faithfully followed, would eliminate any possibility of deviation which can, in any remote way, lead to sexual perversity or AIDS. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “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.” (Qur’ān 24:31). Allah also says in the Qur’ān, “And come not near unto adultery; surely, it is a foul thing and an evil way.” (Qur’ān 17:33).
In one of the issues of Radiance, AIDS is referred to as a “Monster” which has stroked the subcontinent and the damage which it has done to the society. Most of the people who indulge in rape, adultery and fornication are under the influence of alcohol. Thus alcohol is considered to be the mother of all evils. If alcohol is prohibited in the state then it will help in curbing a lot many evils which are prevailing in the society today. It is also a universal phenomenon that consumption of alcohol leads to such a loss of senses which accelerate sexual perversity. Thus Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Allah says in the Qur’ān, “They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: “In both there is great sin and also some advantages; but their sin is greater than their advantages.” (Qur’ān 2:219).
Radiance has not only talked about the problem but has also spoken about the practical solution to these problems and the steps we need to take to keep the nation AIDS-free. It has also raised a question of AIDS being cured through herbal medicine in one of its articles (10-16 December 2000). In short, the excellent teachings of Islam provide such a perfect code of conduct for human beings as can preclude any possibility of moral degradation is averted, it would be a natural and real solution to the problem of AIDS, which is haunting human fancy today and in our posterity. Without this Divine code of conduct, the world is doomed for perdition; its only solution is putting the teachings of Islam in practice.