It was narrated by Anas ibn Malik:The Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid: “Some of the signs of the Hour are that knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will prevail, wine will be a common drink and illegal sex will become widespread.”
(Bukhari: 80; and Muslim: 2671)
And Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further said: “Among my Ummah there will be people who will regard as permissible zina, silk, khimar and musical instruments.”
(Bukhari: 5590)
From the above hadith it is clear that immorality will be a sign of pride during the last days. Shedding clothes, human trafficking, prostitution, consensual sex, sex in schools – all have become so common today that people are taking it as a matter of ‘status’ and ‘pride’ in a family. Unfortunately, they are enslaved under the perverted men’s sexual manipulation of the women’s body – from their prying eyes to prostitution.
Allah gave the status of queen and princess to every woman by asking her to remain covered so that they can put dust into the eyes of men. The Quran enjoins women to come out of homes dressed, modestly covered, and this has been the dressing code of women since long whether it is Hinduism or Christianity. In fact, it is up to the women to understand whether they are really free to be exposed under the eyes of perverted men.Is it women empowerment to expose their adornments and beauty to the prying eyes of such men?
Allah the Almighty has revealed Surah Noor in the Holy Qur’an which are definitive commands and which must be followed. The circumstances of its revelation are perfectly replicated in our present circumstances. The Surah begins with a powerful preamble, emphasizing the significance that Allahthe Almighty has given to His verses and the importance they have for our existence.
The first order given in this surah is related to adultery, which is a major sin and crime in Islam. It is such a heinous act of society that if it is not banned, the society cannot remain clean, its existence will come to an end and the family system will be disrupted. Islam does not depend only on legal punishment to protect human society from the menace of adultery, but prescribes a wide range of preventive and corrective measures. In Islamic parlance, punishment is the last alternative.
Relevance of Surah Noor’s first ten verses in today’s context:
- Protection of Women’s Rights:
These verses emphasize the importance of protecting women from false accusations and slander, which is still an important issue today.
- Importance of Evidence:
The requirement of four witnesses to prove adultery highlights the need for concrete evidence in legal cases, a principle still applied in many legal systems.
- Accountability:
The verses hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially in spreading lies, which is a valuable lesson in today’s digital age.
- Mercy and Forgiveness:
Emphasis on Allah’s mercy and acceptance of repentance encourages self-reflection, forgiveness and personal growth.
- Community Responsibility:
The verses remind us that community members have a responsibility to uphold justice and protect each other’s rights.
- Consequences of Sin:
Warnings of the penalty of sin serve as a reminder of the importance of personal responsibility and moral accountability.
- Importance of Truth:
The verses emphasize the importance of truth and honesty in all aspects of life.
These verses are still relevant today, offering guidance on justice, morality, and personal responsibility, and encouraging a compassionate and equal society.
[The writer is based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh]