What is an illicit relationship? What should we understand from illicit relationships (e.g prostitution, fornication)?

What is an illicit relationship? What should we understand from illicit relationships (e.g prostitution, fornication)?

Dear Brother / Sister,

An illicit relation means man’s getting carried away with illicit pleasures and satisfaction. In this sense, all the things which the religion regards illicit are included in the definition of an illicit relationship. Any kinds of immorality, bad-manners, nudity, obscenity, attempts to spread such immoralities into public life are covered by the term “illicit relationships”. However, most of the time, this term is used in the meaning of fornication.

Adultery particularly means the action of sexual intercourse committed by people who are not legally married and those who do not have wedlock. Fornication is a hideous action which destroys the foundation of moral values and which enslaves people by means of bodily, bestial motives. Our religion orders marriage and prohibits fornication.

Our Lord says “Do not draw near to any unlawful sexual intercourse; surely it is a shameful, indecent thing, and an evil way (leading to individual and social corruption).” (the Qur’an, al-Isra’, 17:32) And clearly stating “He forbids you indecency, wickedness, and vile conduct (all offenses against religion, life, personal property, chastity, and health of mind and body)” (the Qur’an, an-Nahl, 16:90), He blocks the roads to illicit deeds.

Our Prophet states in a hadith : “ There is no one who protects believers from evil more than Allah. For this reason, Allah forbids open or secret illicit deeds ( fornication)”. ( Bukhari, Wedlock, 107)

One of the seven great sins

Illicit sexual intercourse, which is one of the seven great sins that Allah’s Messenger mentions, was regarded hideous by previous religions and communities despite being described a bit differently and having different extents.

Even in Yathrib (Medina) where Jewish culture and laws dominated, Jewish people would punish those who committed fornication. However, they did not apply the punishment honestly and fairly. Although the punishment for such commitment in the Torah was lapidation, it was only applied to the poor and slaves whereas nobles could get away with it by being only painted in the face to be displayed.

Christianity deals with it the same way. The following statements are from the Matthew Bible:

“You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery. 'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." ( Matthew, 5:27-30)

Interesting, isn’t it?

M. Ali Seyhan

Questions on Islam