Zina: Encyclopedia - Zina

Zina

Zina (زنا) is an Arabic term for extramarital or premarital sex.

Islamic law prescribes severe punishments for both men and women for the act of zina. Premarital sex may be punished by up to 100 lashes, while adultery is punished by Rajm. However, the act must be attested by at least four witnesses of good character. Punishments are decided by the legal authorities, and false accusations are also punished. Among the many interpretations of Islamic law, this is the most widespread among Islamic jurisdictions.

Honor killing is widespread in many cultures mainly due to the intertwining of filial or tribal honor with human sexuality of family members or tribesmen. It refers specifically to extra-legal punishment by the family against the woman, and as such is forbidden.

Hadith: We were with the Prophet while we were young and had no wealth whatever. So Allah's Apostle said, "O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power." - Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 4

Hadith: Imran b. Husain reported that a woman from Juhaina came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and she had become pregnant because of adultery. She said: Allah's Apostle, I have done something for which (prescribed punishment) must be imposed upon me, so impose that. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) called her master and said: Treat her well, and when she delivers bring her to me. He did accordingly. Then Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) pronounced judgment about her and her clothes were tied around her and then he commanded and she was stoned to death. He then prayed over her (dead body). Thereupon Umar said to him: Allah's Apostle, you offer prayer for her, whereas she had committed adultery! Thereupon he said: She has made such a repentance that if it were to be divided among seventy men of Medina, it would be enough. Have you found any repentance better than this that she sacrificed her life for Allah, the Majestic?

See also

• zawag al-'urfi

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Zina", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki