Sexuality and HIV & AIDS in Afrca


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Muslims' perspectives on key reproductive and sexual health issues

By Ahmed R. A. Ragab. Dr. Ragab is the Associate Professor of Reproductive Health, International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

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Furthermore, the Prophet instructs his followers that they should have sexual intercourse with their wives if they get excited according to the following Hadith. Jaber narrates:

The Prophet said: "Verily a woman comes near in the form of a devil, and goes behind in the form of a devil. When one of you is pleased with a woman and she falls unto his heart, let him be inclined to his wife and have sexual intercourse with her, because it drives away what is in his mind." Al Boukhari.
Sex outside marriage is considered in Shari'a not only as a sin but also as a crime which is punishable under law.

Castration: The Hadith indicates, as narrated by Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas - Allah's Apostle forbade Uthman bin Maz'un to abstain from marrying (and other pleasures) and if he had allowed him, we would have gotten ourselves castrated.. Al Boukhari

Sex during Menstruation: Islam forbids sex during menstruation - Sura 2:222 -
They ask thee Concerning women's course*. Say: They are a hurt and a pollution: so keep away from women in their courses, and do not approach them until they have purified themselves. Ye may approach them as ordained for you by Allah For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." (*Course literally means menstruation)

Anal Intercourse: As narrated by Khusaimah bin Sabet: The Prophet said: Verily Allah is not ashamed of truth. Don't approach women by their backs (anal intercourse). Al Boukhari. Also, as narrated Abu Hurairah, the Prophet said: “Cursed is he who goes to his wife by her back.” Al Boukhari.

In summary, Islam gives women and men the right to sexual health by forbidding all what is believed to be harmful. In addition, it provides them the right to sex education and sexual enjoyment. However these rights are not to be practiced outside of legal marital relations.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
A growing literature of social, and anthropological studies shows that Islam is interpreted differently in different countries and by different social groups. Religion is not the only factor, although it is very important, that determines social outcomes. Traditions, customs, and geographical differences are other factors. Moreover, Islamic texts are flexible and could be adapted for all places and all times. Some of the current theologians tend to quote from the classics, even with regard to old medical opinions whose errors have been brought to light and which have since been superseded by other more scientifically-grounded ideas. These factors could explain some of the gaps between Islamic ideology, as expressed by the Quran and Hadith, and the practices which are based on customs and traditions but misinterpreted as grounded in Islam.

From the Islamic point of view, two different positions on reproductive choice may be taken. The more traditional position gives women little freedom to make decisions that bear on reproduction. The second argues that constraints on reproductive choice that exist in some Muslim countries are not inherently Islamic. Hey further argue that the egalitarian elements in the sacred texts should be the guide to a reinterpretation of the doctrine that would be fully compatible with ideas of human rights and reproductive choice.

Contraception rights in Islam have been discussed in detail in many other publications (see the work of Omran, 1992). The majority of these authors indicate that Islam gives women absolute right to contraception. However, there is a diversity of opinions regarding the permanent methods (surgical sterilisation).

Regarding abortion, there is consensus among the theologians that abortion after 120 days is not allowed except to save the life of a mother. However, there is no unified position among Muslim scholars on abortion before 120 days. All the schools of thought agree that Islam gives women a right to abortion when their lives are in danger in the case of a high risk pregnancy. Also, some schools agree on the right to early abortion in cases of health, social, mental and economic problems. There is a clear indication of the need to revise and unify the Islamic laws regarding abortion in the context of recent advances in medicine and technology.

Regarding sexuality, Islam gives women the right to sexual health by discouraging all that was believed to be harmful, such as anal intercourse and sex during menstruation. Islam also gives women the right to proper sex education and the right to enjoy sex. However, all these rights should not be practiced outside of marital relations.

Rereading of reproductive health definition: Taking into cognisance the socio-cultural dimensions of reproductive health, the international definitions of reproductive health can be adapted to make them acceptable to, and adoptable by Islamic countries. The proposed adaptations are as follows:

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