Teenagers in Love

3-7-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

As we know, nowadays many teenagers are involved in love. So, please let me know what Islam says about this problem.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

There are several reasons that lead young men and girls to become involved in love relations, and then, commit Zina (fornication or adultery) or at least touch, kiss or hug each other. We pray to Allah to protect us from such an evil.

This growing social phenomenon will not disappear unless we get rid of its causes. Here are some of the causes that we are supposed to avoid:

1) Mixing and chatting with females who display their charms and who are scantily dressed.

2) Looking at women's pictures and watching lewd films: This is now a widespread and varied phenomenon, and this spoils the values and morals of a person. Women were the first temptation that seduced the children of Israel.

The Prophet said: "I am not leaving behind me a more harmful trial (cause of mischief) for men than women." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet addressing women also said: “I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious, sensible man could be led astray by some of you.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Thus, Allah, The Great and Almighty, orders Muslims, males and females, to lower their gaze. He also states that lowering the gaze constitutes greater purity for Muslims.

Allah Says (what means): {Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment.} [Quran 24: 30-31]

3) Associating with bad friends, who do their best to beautify falsehood and make bad deeds fair-seeming to them; those whose first concern is to satisfy their needs and desires. Thus, they become like animals, and even more astray.

4) Refraining from marriage. Marriage helps one to avoid vices and keep himself/herself chaste.

Ibn Mas’ood narrated that the Prophet said: “O young people! Whoever can marry should marry, as it helps one to lower their gaze, and guards the private parts, and whoever is not able to marry should fast, as this helps one protect his private parts (from committing illegal sexual intercourse).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

We ask Allah, The Great and Almighty, to protect us and all Muslim youth from trials and temptations of this worldly life and the torment of the Hereafter.

Allah knows best.