Love of w<?men originates in the sexual instinct which is one of the basic constituents of the human being. It is undoubtedly necessary for sexual intercourse, procreation and the populating of the world. It is the strongest of all the instincts and the most dangerous if not contained within the unassailable stockade of the Shari'a of Allah which protects it, keeps it in check and directs it in a healthy direction for the well-being of Muslim society. The word instinct (gharfza) comes from the verb gharaza, meaning that it is something implanted and imbedded in man. So the roots of the sexual instinct permeate right through man. He can never be completely free of it. Then the roots tum into trunk, boughs, branches and fruit. Islam takes a wise position in relation to this tree of sexuality by watering it with the water of modesty, purity and chastity, and so training its branches and leaves that it produces fruit in a manner pleasing to Allah and His Messenger. That is why clear limits and precise rules have been laid down on how men and women should interact and how women should be treated so that there will be no confusion in Muslim society. Most of those who end up in the Fire do so because they made light of certain evils. Those who reflect on the ayats of Allah will find that Allah concludes His prescription of most of His limits with His words: "These are the limits ofAllah, so do not overstep them" (2:229), except in the case of fornication when Allah Almighty says: "And do not go near to fornication. It is an indecent act, an evil way" (17:32). Allah singles it out in this way because of its seriousness and its consequences. The mere fact of approaching the limits of fornication often causes a person to fall into it because it is connected to emotions 21 and instincts that are an integral part of a man's being. He cannot repel them. The lower self commands to evil and the urges of the sexual appetite are like the tumultuous waves of a sea which cannot be held back. He is surrounded by them on every side and they carry him along until he plunges into the abyss. If that happens man will have only himself to blame because he did not hold to the teachings of his Lord which are there to guide him to circumspection and safety. He will see that he was driven by whims and desires, misleading deceptions and corrupting company until he deviated far from the way of truth and found himself on the brink of a pit of the Fire or a crumbling cliff-edge which was about to fall taking him with it: "Allah desires to turn towards you, but those who pursue their base appetites desire to make you deviate completely. Allah desires to make things lighter for you. Man was created weak." (4:27-28). This is a true statement from Him who is All-Wise, All-Aware. Man is weak because of the appetites imbedded in him. How could disdain for the limits of Allah and indulgence in falsehood possibly lead to liberty, fraternity or equality? This means that such political slogans are in reality a hidden call to awaken the lower appetites and unleash them, causing people to wallow in error and misguidance. Why should we have disdain for the limits of Allah when He has stipulated them for us to diminish the compulsion and vigour of our appetites that cause corruption and grief for us which we could well do without? Why should we want to take the path of shaytans and follow them and leave the path of the Merciful and Compassionate who knew all about our weakness before He created us? He merely wants to spare us the evils of our lower selves and our bad actions. The fact is that the All-Merciful did not give us a completely free rein so that a man might take his appetites for his god. Rather He cautions us and warns us and makes the punishment for fornication the most severe punishment in this world and the Next so that it spells ruin to the life of any heedless, rebellious couple who 22 commit it. There is sufficient warning to set alarm bells ringing in the ears of any couple who consider it and to awaken their consciences and show them that they are advancing towards terrors which would make children white-haired. In explanation of the words of Allah about Hell, "It has seven gates", the commentator 'Ata' said, "The worst of the gates in respect of grief, heat and torment and the one with the foulest stench is the gate of the fornicators who committed fornication knowing it to be wrong." My brother Muslim, look at the ayats of the Qur'an which call on us to guard our private parts: "It is the believers who are successful: those who are humble in their prayer; those who turn away from prattle; those who are active in paying zakat; those who guard their private parts - except from their wives or what their right hands own, in that case not being blameworthy; but any desiring anything more than that, they are the oversteppers ofthe limits." (23: 1-7) What overstepping could be worse than violating someone's honour? It is unlawful for a Muslim to harm another Muslim, his property or his honour, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said. "Say to the believing men that they should lower their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Allah is aware of what they do. Say to the believing women that they should lower their eyes and guard their private parts and not disclose their adornments, except for that which ordinarily appears, and should draw their head-coverings across their breasts. They must not disclose their adornments except to their husbands or their fathers or their husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons or their brothers or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons or other women or what their right hands own or their male attendants who have no sexual desire or children who still have no consciousness of 23 women's private parts. Nor should they stamp their feet so that their hidden ornaments are known. Turn to Allah, 0 believers, everyone of you, so that perhaps you will have success." (24:30-31) My brother Muslim, just look at these fine lines and the clear path they delineate enabling each Muslim man and woman to achieve purity and chastity. They are predominantly directed at women because it is they who are the focus of men's attraction and because the primary responsibility for shutting the openings of Shaytan which lead to sexual desire between the sexes lies in their hands. Without a doubt, this is an extremely important responsibility. Allah's instructions regarding this matter are concluded in Surat al-Ahzab when He is addressing the wives of the Prophet and every Muslim woman who follows them in the path of belief: "0 wives of the Prophet! If any of you commit a clear act of indecency she will get double the punishment. That is an easy matter for Allah. But each of you who is obedient to Allah and His Messenger and acts rightly will be given her wage twice over and We have prepared generous provision for her. 0 wives of the Prophet! You are not like other women provided you are godfearing. Do not be soft in your speech in case someone with sickness in his heart becomes desirous. Speak correct and courteous words. Remain in your houses and do not display your beauty as it was displayed formerly in the Days of Ignorance. Establish the prayer and pay the zakat. Obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah desires to remove all impurity from you, 0 People of the House, and to purify you completely." (33:30-33) "0 Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments closely round themselves. That makes it more likely they will be recognised and not be harmed. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (33:59) 2