Concept of Adultery in Islam

Concept of Adultery in Islam

"Do not go near to adultery. Surely it is a shameful deed
and evil, opening roads (to other evils)" (Quran 17:32).

"Say, 'Verily, my Lord has prohibited the shameful deeds,
be it open or secret, sins and trespasses against the truth and
reason"' ( Quran 7:33).

"Women impure are for men impure, and men impure are for women
impure and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity
are for women of purity." (Quran 24:26)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said in many places that adultery
is one of the three major sins. However, the most interesting story
is that of a young man who went to the Prophet. This man asked for
permission to fornicate because he could not control himself. The
Prophet dealt with him with reasoning and asked him if he would
approve of someone else having illegal sex with his mother, sister,
daughter, or wife. Each time the man said 'no'. Then the Prophet
replied that the woman with whom you plan to have sex is also somebody's
mother, sister, daughter, or wife. The man understood and repented.
The Prophet prayed for his forgiveness.

Adultery is a crime not against one person but against the whole
of society. It is a violation of a marital contract. 50% of all
first time marriages in the USA result in divorce within two years
and the main reason for divorce are the adultery of one of the partners.
Adultery, which includes both pre-marital and extra marital sex,
is an epidemic in this society. Nobody seems to listen to the Bible,
which says frequently, "Thou shall not commit adultery."
The Quranic approach is, "Do not approach adultery."

Does it mean that not only is illegal sex prohibited, but also
anything that leads to illegal sex is also illegal? These things
include: dating, free mixing of the sexes, provocative dress, nudity,
obscenity, and pornography. The dress code both for men and women
is to protect them from temptation and desires by on lookers who
may lose self-control and fall into sin. "Say to the believing
men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that
will make for greater purity, and God is well acquainted with all
they do. And say to the believing woman that they should lower their
gaze, and guard their modesty."(Quran 24:30-3 1)