At the present time, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are the commonest infectious diseases of the world. The World Health Organization's statistics recorded 200 million cases of Gonorrhea and 50 million cases of Syphilis for the year 1982.
Many millions of the second generation STD's such as Chlamydia infectious and Virus infectious were also recorded in both the developed and the Third World countries.
Despite the progress made in the methods of diagnosis and treatment, the incidence of STD J has soared to almost "epidemic proportions" throughout the world during the past twenty years. I A review of the papers and journals on these diseases reveals the virtual absence of any mention about guidance from any religious source, excepting for the injuctions in the Revealed Book of Islam, the Holy Quran.
In this paper an attempt is made to portray the global pattern of STD, the incidence of infection, classification of the traditional STD and second generation STD.
The paper discusses the reasons for the high level of infection and the demographic, behavioral and medical causes; consequences of STD are emphasized, especially neonatal infection and carcinoma of the cervix.
Much stress is laid on the moral code of the Islamic way of life for individuals, societies and entire nations with regard to sexual behavior, health, education and the penal code pertaining to sexual crimes and lewdness. The paper is concluded with profound and practical guidance from the Holy Quran and the Hadith.
The highlight of the paper is to bring no notice that illicit sexual relationships between men and women are very widespread and evils of a decadent civilization, thus leading to much morbidity, mental ill health and socio-economic problems throughout the world, Adultery and fornication which are the prime factors responsible for the high incidence and prevalence of STD, have been forbidden in the Holy Ouran most explicity as in Surah24, V 2-3.
With the new dreaded disease Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AI DS) that is found mainly in homosexuals, the world faces a new threat, as no cure to date has been discovered, and which can entirely eliminated as in Surah on Nisa : V. 15. 16
The paper brings to the notice of mankind the attitude of Islam with regard to modesty in relations with members of the opposite sex. This forms a preventative measure against sexual vices and slander.
Prostitution and promiscuous relations which are major factors in the spreading of STD are strictly forbidden from the Holy Quran and the Hadth.
In their place Islam strongly encourage the institution of marriage so as to establish a fully harmonious and normal way of life between men and women. Islam and its mode of living have the ultimate solution to the scourge of sexually transmitted disease.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) have been with us for a very long time, and currently the incidence and prevalence of these diseases on a world scale has reached alarming proportions. With the process of urbanization taking place in the so called developed countries during the Industrial revolution, the STD became increasingly prevalent. The diseases are spreading and resulting in much morbidity, mental ill health and socio-economic problems in the developing countries, as the Industrial Revolution is taking place in these countries today.
At the present time sexually transmitted diseases are divided into "traditional" or first generation STD and second generation STD
TABLE1
Organisms Diseases Bacteria
Treponema Palidum Syphilis Neisseria gonorrhoeae Gonorrhoea Haemophilus ducreyi Chancroid Chlamydia granulomatis Lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia trachomatis (Genital strain Grabykina Ubgyubake Ureaplasma urealyticum* Nongonococcal Urethritis Giardia aginalils* Vaginitis Shigella* Shigellosis Viruses Herpes Simplex Virus* Genital LHerpes Human Papilloma Virus* Genital Warts Cytamegalovirus* Neonatal Diseases Hepatitis A and B* Hepatitis Organisms Diseases Protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis Trichomaniasis Entamoeba histolyticum* Amoebiasis Giardia lamblia* Giardiasis Ectoparasites Phtirus pubis Pediculosis Sarcoptes scabiei
Scabies In many industrialised societies these "second generation" contagious infections present enormous problems in management, and it is unfortunate that health education among people is lacking to make societies aware of the wide range of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) which exist today.
The emergence of antimicrobial therapy has not brought about a meaningful fall in the incidence of STD in the 1980's and it is well to remember that no infectious disease can ever be eradicated through effective curative therapy alone. The epidemiology and biology of STD's are involved and ill understood. Their paradoxical presence and increases prevalence in the age of powerful antibiotics is not at all surprising. Biologists and epidemiologists as well as STD specialists must there- fore look at preventive measures rather than curative ones and question the moral code of human society.
INCIDENCE OF INFECTION
In many countries statistics relating to STD are poor and it is therefore difficult to assess the true incidence of STD. In some countries only the "first generation" STD are reported, the remainder being ignored or not being recognized. Under-reporting of these diseases is a world-wide problem, especially in countries where large numbers of patients are treated privately. This is especially so with regard to woman, as many of them prefer to be examined by private doctors, this is understandable but leads to both under-diagnosis and under-reporting. In many countries, where for cultural reasons, female patients may refuse to be examined by a male doctor, there is only a very vague idea of the real incidence of infection.
In this paper those diseases which cause only discomfort such as, trichomoniasis, molluscum contagiosum and pediculosis pubis are not considered. Only infections which pose the greatest danger to public health are discussed.
Infection by N. gonorrhoea: This organism causes cervicitis, urethritis, proctitis, pelvic in- flammatory disease, perihepatitis and of Bartholins glands in women. In men it causes urethritis, epididymitis and proctitis. In both sexes the organism may cause conjunctivitis, pharyngitis and septicaemia, and in neonates, ophthalmia, colonisation of the pharynx, vagina and rectum, and dissiminated infections may occur. The World Organization estimates 250 million new cases a year making this one of the most common infectious diseases known to man.
Since the middle 1950's there has been a steady increase in incidence in all countries. The sensitivity of the gonococcus to pencillin has shown a stepwise mutational increase for the past 30 years. These partially resistant strains (which are often resistant to other antibiotics as well) are particularly common in Africa, South East Asia and the Western Pacific. Since 1976 strains of gonococci have been isolated which produced a B lactamase, so that they are completely resistant to pencillins and to many cephalosporins. If these organisms become widely dissiminated throughout the world the pencillins, may in the near future, have to be abandoned for the treatment of gonorrhoea, with enormous medical and economic consequences, especially in the developing countries.
Infection by T. pallidum: The World Organisation estimates 50 million new cases a year. In the past 20 years there has been a gradual increase of this disease with all its systemic consequences. The disease is prevalent largely in homosexuals, who in the industrialised societies are responsible for nearly 74% of early infections. In some parts of India and other developing countries syphilis has not been brought under control adequately. Venereal syphilis is on the increase in New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia. Patients with cardiovascular syphilis are still being documented in developing countries. A milder and modified form of neurosyphilis is not uncommon.
Infection by H. ducreyi: In clinical terms a combination of genital ulcers and inguinal adenopathy and abscess is how chanchroid appears. Though uncommon in developed countries it is still recorded and minor outbreaks recur usually in relation to travel to and from tropical countries. It is more common in countries with poor living conditions and bad sanitation. It is common in India and, in Zimbabwe, it comprises 16% of all STD's. It is more in men than in women and the reason for this sexual difference is not known. Scientific evidence supports the idea that the female genital tract constitutes a reservoir of infection and prostitutes play an important role in the epidemiology of chancroid.
Infection by Chlamydia trachomatis: Infections are divided into those caused by Iymphogranu, loma venereum (LGV) strains and those accounted for by "oculo,genital" strains. LGV is characterised by a small initial lesion, followed by progressive lymphadenopathy.
The disease is serious and chronic and its complications include genital elephantiasis, and a complex of rectal and peri, genital ulceration and fibrosis. The disease has a world-wide distribution but it is more common in tropical and subtropical areas. It is difficult to state whether the incidence is increasing or not as there is much mis-diagnosis due to difficult laboratory techniques and under reporting of cases.
Infections by the "oculo-genital" strains are widely prevalent. Chlamydiae cause much non- gonococcal urethritis and. epididymitis in males, urethritis, urethral syndrome, cervicites, salpingitis and perihepatitis in females Inclusion conjunctivitis in both sexes and neonates. In the neonate, colonisation of the pharynx, secretary otitis media and pneumonia also occur. C. trachomatis is thus a most important pathogen in the STD's. These infections are very prevalent in the industrialised countries. Other causes of NGU and PGU are organisms such as Ureaplasma urealyticum and it is not certain whether these cause as many complications as the chlamydia organisms.
Virus Infections; These diseases belong to the "second generation" group and are of immense importance. Herpes simplex infections cause recurent, painful genital and anal ulcerations; treatment is very difficult and attacks may be complicated by sacral radiculitis in retention of urine, and by viraemia, meningitis and other systemic effects. Infection can be transferred to the neonate from the mother during birth; there is an association between genital herpes and carcinoma of the cervix. Cytomegalovirus infections in infants are examples of other herpes virus diseaes which .may cause neurological abnormalities in infants. At the present time there is no effective treatment for these infections. A very common STD is that due to human papilloviruses which cause anogenital warts. There is increasing evidence to show that human papillovirus is linked with some cases of cancer of the genital tract.
The hepatitis A and B viruses are now believed to be sexually transmitted. Hepatitis B is a major health hazard, especially in homosexuals and cancer of the liver may be linked to this infection. The incidence of the STD due to viruses has doubled in some countries in the past 5 years, particularly in the U.K. There is no effective antiviral treatment available at present and it would appear that they will present an increasing problem in the 1980's unless some preventive measures are undertaken.
Factors that contribute to a rise in STD
The present levels of infection are very high. What are the reasons for this rise in incidence ? Although it is not possible to pinpoint all the important contributory causes, 3 groups can be de, lineated clearly.
i) Demographic causes: Young people are most vulnerable and sexually the most active members of modern societies. In "liberated" societies these people change sex partners frequently and are most likely to develop STD. In the past 50 years the number of young people in most countries has risen markedly. In "developed" countries the age of menarche is around 11 to 13 years. Thus there are more people at risk.
In most countries there is a continuous movement of rural communities to the larger towns and cities. Social services are inadequate for this rapid migration of people and overcrowding, sharing of rooms, mixing of sexes and indiscriminate sexual intercourse. These factors contribute toward spread of infection. Seeking employment away from home, air travel and greater mobility of people in general, has accounted for casual sex contacts. This may be followed not only by infection in the individual but also by the introduction of new infections, or new strains of microorganisms, into the "home" country.
ii) Behavioural causes: Extra marital and premarital sexual intercourse and free mixing of the sexes in Western society is generally accepted. These practices lead to STD. Pornographic films, sex boutiques, sex advertisements in the mass media influence people to early first intercourse and numerous sex partners. Prostitution is commoner than in the past and this also contributes to spread of STD. Addiction to a variety of drugs, especially alcohol, blunt the inhibitions and encourage promiscuity. The easy availability of oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices has contributed to the rise in incidence of STD. Loneliness in large cities has contributed to promiscuity and thus a rise in STD. The incidence in the number of homosexuals in the "developed" countries has proved to be of great importance in the increase in prevalence of STD.
iii) Medical causes: The free availability of antibiotics without prescription encourages the appearance of resistant microorganisms. Inappropriate antibiotics are also causing a major problem; inadequate dosage and treatment by quacks. Resistant cases are likely to rise. Symptom less infections increase the difficulties of controlling STD. In many countries contact tracing is not employed and this causes spread of STD. In many countries medical schools give scant regard to teaching about STD and religious teaching with regard to illicit sex is virtually non- existent.
SEQUAElEA OF STD
The current high levels of infections result in a whole range of complicating problems:
local complications:- Epididymitis.
Infertility with its sociological problems in the developing countries. As high as 30% in sub Saharan Africa.
Salpingitis; 2,5 billion dollars spent in USA in 1979 on gonorrhoea and its complications alone. Ca cervix.
Systemic complications: systemic effects of syphilis are well known. Septicaemia following N. gonorrhoea is not uncommon. Reiter's syndrome virnemia.
Neonatal infections: neonatal gonococcal ophthalmia still occurs in many countries. Gonococcal septicaemia. Infection with chlamydia in the neonate can be serious. Neonatal in, clusion conjunctivitis now out numbers gonococcal ophthalmia by 9:1 and its incidence is very high in trachomatis, Infection of the respiratory tract may cause secretory otitis media and chlamy, dial pneumonai.
Babies may be affected by Herpes simplex virus during birth. A wide spectrum of diseases may follow and damage to the central nervous system can be caused. Many neonates die of this infection.
Carcinoma of the Cervix. Early age of first intercourse and multiple sex partners are the two main factors concerned in the epidemiology of cervical carcinoma, A sexually transmitted carcinogenic agent' might be involved in its pathogenesis and has been focusse on Herpes simplex virus type 2. There is a possibility that papillovirus may be involved in aetiology of cervical car, cionoma. Whatever the mechanism, it is certain that women who are at risk ofor STD are also at risk, later in their lives, for cervical cancer. The aspect of medical care which is important in screen, ing high risk cases is totally lacking in many countries of the world and the incidence of cervical carcinoma is rising.
DISCUSSION
STD, throughout the world today, gives rise to enormous problems. There has been a marked rise in incidence in all countries. Although much progress has been made in methods of diagnosis and treatment, the STD are now the commonest infectious diseases in the world and are responsible for enormous public health problems in all parts of the world. In the developing countries the "first generation" STD are still very common. Although these have declined to some extent in the developed countries, new diseaes have emerged. Health and sex education in sophisticated countries have altered the trends of rising STD. The resistance of organisms to more powerful antibiotics is ever present with us and curative therapy alone is proving to be inadequate. It behoves us to concentrate our efforts to the preventive aspect of diseases and return to some moral standards as ordained in religious teachings of the sematic religious and codes of life. In particular, guidance from the Holy Quran, is most explicit on the moral code of life for individuals, societies and nations, to serve for a harmonious and normal way of life and act as a deterrant for sex crimes and lewdness.
HOMOSEXUALITY IN MALES
In most parts of the "developed" World and some third World countries, the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) in homosexual men, is reaching major proportions; it is pre- senting the medical profession with a new challenge. Homosexually, as practised in society to, day, has resulted in the emergence of opportunistic infections constituting a major problem for the clinician, the therapist and microbiologist. In this review article an attempt is made to present various STD's found amongst homosexual men, the possible reasons for their occurrence and ways to prevent their spread. It is appropriate initially to define the term homosexual male; a man who has oral-genital, penile anal or oral-anal sexual contact with another man1. The homosexual male population transmits three main groups of microbial agents. These are viruses, enteroparasites and bacteria. As tabulated in Table 1 due to the sexual and social habits adopted by this section of the population, results in it constituting a large reservoir for these micro, organisms. Oropharyngeal and rectal areas are common sites for STD's in homosexual males.
VIRAL DISEASES IN HOMOSEXUAL MEN
Herpes simplex virus and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are commonly found in homosexual men. Several investigators have reported a high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody in homosexual males 1,2,3,4. Since saliva, urine and semen may transmit the HBV, infections can occur through anal sex, fellatio, analingus or mouth to mouth transmission of salvia2. The number of casual male sexual contacts and the duration of regular homosexual activity correlates well with seropositivity. Trauma to the rectal mucosa has also been related to the seropositivity of H BV infection4. There seems to be an increased prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in homosexual men as compared to heterosexual men5. Non-A non-B hepatitis may also be transmitted by homosexual men. Anorectal herpes infections are also encountered2. Complicating sacral radiomyelopathy in herpes proctitis has been reported6. Most recently, generalised and in some cases fatal herpes infections have been found in homosexuals with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
ENTERIC PROTOZOAN INFECTIONS
In homosexual males amoebiasis and giardiasis are the 2 commonest protozoan infections transmitted sexually. The mode of transmission is due to the practice of oral-anal sex 2, 7 ,8 .A number of colonic and rectal conditions is found commonly in homosexual men. The "Gay Syndrome" as it is called, comprises several proctological complications of anal intercourse, due to infections diarrttoea caused by amoebiasis and shigellosis and viral illness like hepatitis and herpes2. These enteric infections can remain asymptomatic and serve as carrier states, thus providing a ready re- servoirfor the spread of these diseases. These infections should be vigorously treated to avoid the development of systemic complications such as amoebic abscesses of the liver and brain2. Camy, lobacter infections, enterobiasis and typhoid fever have also been reported to be homosexually transmitted2.
BACTERIAL DISEASES NEISSERIAL INFECTIONS
Both N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis are responsible for disease in homosexual males after sexual transmission, but the commoner offender is N. gonorrhoeae. The life style and mode of sexual practice of homosexuals causes gonorrhoea to occur on ectopic anatomical sites namely, the pharynx and non-rectal area9. Many diseases occuring in these sites are silent and produce minimal symptoms and therefore go untreated. This creates an ever growing reservoir for further spread of these infections. The patient himself is at risk of developing local and systemic complications. N. meningitidis causes disease more commonly in homosexuals than in heterosexual men. Ano-rectal infection is the most common manifestation followed by infections of the urethra (ureth- ritis c stenosis).
NON-GONOCOCCAL URETHRITIS
This condition is becoming commoner in male homosexuals. The most likely organism is chlamydia trachomatis. The place of Ureaplasma urealyticur:n infection as a cause of non-gono- coccal urethritis has not been clearly defined but work is been carried out to determine whether this organism has any role to play.
SYPHILIS
In homosexual men syphilis occurs in new sites, the anorectal region. The changes occuring here may be either a symptomatic or extremely painful. The silent anorectal location of syphilis may serve as a reservoir of the disease. Although the fully blown syndrome is uncommon today, syphilis occurring in new locations amongst homosexuals is common.
ENTERIC PATHOGENS -SHIGELLOSIS
Recently shigellosis has been recognised to occur in homosexual men. The bacillus is. probably acquired by oral-anal or oral-genital contact10.
ACOUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME -AIDE
In the past 5 years a disease of as yet unknown aetiology has affected numerous cases with a mortality rate of up to 41 %". Patients have succumbed as result of developing rare tumours or opportunistic infections. This disease is known as AIOS. Reports of new cases in the U.S.A. are received at a rate of 15 to 20 per week.
The syndrome occurs in 5 groups of patients:
1) Homosexual or bisexual men -75%
2) "Mainline" drug addicts -12%
3) Immigrants from Haiti 6%
4) Heterosexual haemophiliacs receiving Facto VIII concentrates.
5) Others: No known risk group.
IMMUNOLOGICAL STATUS ASSOCIATED WITH AIDS.
There is a disturbance in cell mediated immunity in AIOS. Although humoral immunity has been found to be normal, increased level of serum immunoglobulins have been reported. There is a decreased number of Iyphocytes in the peripheral blood, and decreased numbers and percentage of helper -T cells; increased numbers of suppressor cells; decreased delayed hypersensitivity to several antigens' 2. It remains to be seen whether this disease is a new entity or whether it has been present for some time and has remained undiagnosed. Elucidation of its aetiology is also a major problem, through the possibility of an infectious agent must be considered.
The grounds for incriminating an infectious agent are that the spread of AIOS resembles H B V infection: A long incubation period; possible sexual transmission or via blood products II; clustering of cases; prodromal illness of fever, diarrhoea lymphadenopathy, night sweats and weight loss12. The "Agent" may be cytomegalovirus (CMV)12.
Other factors contributing to AI OS are the use of drugs, the foremost of these being amyl nitrite which is used as a sex stimulant; sperms from multiple partners can also act as vehicles for carrying CMV; promiscuity is a persistent finding in nearly all cases of AIOS.
Up to the present time the immunological defect seems to be irreversible and attempts by immunologists to stimulate a favourable immune response have not been successful. With the uncertainty about the cause of AI OS, there is very little that the clinician is able to do as regards treatment, except emphasise, as in most afflications, the role of preventive medicine. With Quranic advice as given at the beginning of this article, one hopes to discourage homosexuality and its practice as an abomination for mankind.
TABLE 2
MICROBIOLOGICAL ORGANISMS CAUSING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN HOMOSEXUAL MALES
Viruses : Hepatitis B Virus
Hepatitis A Virus
Herpes simplex virus (type I & II)
Cy to megalo virus
Condylomata acuminata Enteric Protozoa : Entamoeba hystolitica
Giardia lamblia Bacteria : N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, Treponema pallidum
chlamydia trachomatis
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Shigella
Salmonella
Champylobacter Others : Scabies
Pediculosis TABLE 3
Opportunistic infections caused by the following;
Protozoan parasites: Pneumocystis carinii l2.
Toxoplasma gondi 12 Fungi: Cryptococcus neoformans 12
Candida albicans Bacteria Mycobacterium
Mycobacteriu m tuberculosis
Mycobacterian avium-interacellulare complex Viruses; Cytomegalovirus 12
Herpes simplex Neoplastic diseases; Kaposi's sarcoma 12
Burkitt's -like cell carcinoma of the tongue Autoimmune disease: Autoimmune Thromnocytopenic purpura Physical damage due to disease lead to neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities, sterility and arthritis.
Psychological damage: most victims suffer from "veneresphobia": guilt feelings, worried. about whether they are fully cured. Fear of being ostracised by society if discovered. Sexually inadequate and anxiety. Psychoneurosis. Acute depression Marital disharmony.
Suggested measures to halt the rising trends in all types of STD are;-
1) legalised prostitution -regular medical check of brothels
2) I mproved Rx facilities
3) Introduction of sex education. Should include family life education and education in religion.
4) Improve social standards. Coordinated medical, public health, legislative and social therapy approach.
Quranic guidance, however, has final solution:-
Duties of commission for the individuals:-
Happiness of moral self through fostering of physical well,being.
1) satisfaction of natural appetites:-
a) hunger and thirst
"... AND EAT AND DRINK, BUT BE NOT IMMODERATE AND INTEMPERATE..." (S7:V31)
b) sexual appetite permitted by the Holy Quran through lawful marriage only, and marriage has been enjoyed.
The very spirit of Sexual Immodesty prohibited. The Holy Quran says: "AND COME NOT NIGHT TO ADULTERY; FOR IT IS A SHAMEFUL (DEED) AND AN EVIL OPENING THE ROAD (TO OTHER EVILS)".(S17;V32)
The words "come not nigh" imply abstinence from the very spirit of sexual immodesty, as also the immodest attitudes and behaviour that cause temptations in relations between the sexes.
This stern moral attitude of Islam may be compared with the attitude and behaviour, incurred in the "Western" communities, where, because of freedom of promiscuity; adultery "has become fashionable". There is a lesson in this for all those Muslims who advocate the adoption of western culture. Alas; the social evils of the West are only too fast penetrating the Muslim communities also under the spell of modernisation.
Indecency, lewdness and everything abominable in thought and word and dead, prohibited. The Holy Qur'an has commanded:
...AND DRA W NOT NIGH TO INDECENCIES, WHETHER OPEN OR SECRET. .. (S6:V151 )
...AND HEFORBIDDETH LEWDNESS AND ABOMINATION AND WICKEDNESS... (S16:V90)
Defiling one's spiritual and moral purity illicit sexual gratification, including homosexuality and self-abuse is prohibited.
SAY THOU (0 PROPHET!) TO THE BELIEVING MEN THAT THEY SHOULD LOWER THEIR GAZE (IN THE SPIRIT OF SEXUAL MODESTY) AND GUARD THEIR PRIVATE PARTS (AGAINST MISUSE): THAT WILL MAKE FOR GREATER PURITY FOR THEM. AND ALLAH IS WELL-ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THAT YE DO
AND SAY TO THE BELIEVING WOMEN THAT THEY SHOULD LOWER THEIR GAZE AND GUARD THEIR PRIVATE PARTS (AGAINST MISUSE). (S24:V30,31).
These verses lay down the duty of abstaining from defiling one's purity by illicit sexual relations and sexual self, abuse: The only way of satisfying the sexual appetite recognised by the Holy Quran as legitimate and chaste is that of marriage between man & woman duly soleminised (S23:V5-7), (S70:V29-31 ). All other ways are prohibited.
In difference to self-reform is condemned. The greatest of moral diseases consists in the in- difference one has for self-reform. The presence of this disease among the clergy is strongly condemned by Islam and the Qur'an says
DO YE ENJOIN RIGHT CONDUCT ON THE PEOPLE, AND FORGET (TO PRACTISE IT) YOURSELVES, AND YET YE STUDY THE SCRIPTURE? WILL YE NOT UNDERSTAND? (S2:V44)
Spreading lewdness in any form, and thereby enticing others in vice, is prohibited.
SAY: THOSE THINGS THAT MY LORD HATH INDEED FORBIDDEN ARE: (INDULGING IN AND SPREADING, AT ANY LEVEL AND ANY HOPE OF), SHAMEFUL DEEDS (OR LEWDNESS), WHETHER OPEN OR SECRET. (S7:V33)
Illegitimate and immoral sexual relations violates one's own chastity and honour of others as well as the sanctity of the institution of family life. One of the ends of sexual duties (Legitimate) is the preservation and promotion of the family is the basic unit of society. This point is basic to the Qur'anic social philosophy. And that is why adultery and fornication are prohibited.
AND COME NOT NIGH TO FORNICA TION AND ADUL TERY: FOR IT IS A SHAMEFUL (DEED) AND AN EVIL, OPENING THE ROAD (TO OTHER EVILS)". (S17:V32)
(THE TRUE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE THOSE WHO) ...DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY (NON FORNICATION)…. (S25:V68)
Homosexuality is strongly condemned and abstinence from it is a duty. Speaking of the Sodomites, the Holy Qur'an says:
"WE ALSO (SENT) LUT: HE SAID TO HIS PEOPLE: "DO YOU COMMIT LEWDNESS SUCH AS NO PEOPLE IN CREATION (EVER) COMMITED BEFORE YOU? FOR YE PRACTISE YOUR LUSTS ON MEN IN PREFERENCE TO WOMEN: YE ARE INDEED A PEOPLE TRANGRESSING BEYOND BOUNDS" ...AND WE RAINED DOWN ON THEM A SHOWER (OF BRIMSTONE): THEN SEE WHAT WAS THE END OF THOSE WHO INDULGED IN SIN AND CRIME?" (S24:V33)
CONCLUSION
Thus, in the Islamic way of life, there should be an active struggle for creating an atmosphere I conductive to morality and awakening the moral consciousness of one's fellow-beings by word and deed.
The Holy Our'an declares:
BY TIME (AS IT HAS UNFOLDED THROUGH THE AGES, RECORDING MAN'S SUCCESSES AND FAILURES), VERILY MAN IS IN A STATE OF LOSS, BUT NOT .THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH AND DO (CONTANTLY) RIGHTEOUS DEEDS, AND EXHORT ONE ANOTHER TO TRUTH, AND EXHORT ONE ANOTHER TO ENDURANCE (IN THE SERVICE OF TRUTH). (S103:V1-3)
Evasion of this struggle leads to calamities of high magnitude, which affect the innocent and the guilty alike:
AND FEAR THE CHASTISEMENT THA T SHALL NOT AFFLICT THOSE AL ONE WHO AMONG YOU DO WRONG; AND KNOWN THAT VERILY ALLAH IS SEVERE CHASTISING. (S8:V25)
YE (O MUSLIMS!) ARE THE BEST (IDEOLOGICAL) COMMUNITY THAT HATH BEEN RAISED UP FOR MANKIND. YE ENJOIN RIGHT CONDUCT AND FORBID ALL THAT IS WRONG (- EVIL): AND YE BELIEVE IN ALLAH (S3:V110)
Evasion of this struggle leads to calamities of high magnitude, which is not always possible for every Muslim to fulfil; Consequently, while it is the duty of every Muslim to co-operate in it, to the best of his or her ability, it is necessary that there should be a trained, disciplined and devoted band of Muslims who should lead the struggle. And this is what the Holy Qur'an has enjoined:
LET THERE ARISE OUT OF YOU A BAND OF PEOPLE INVITING TO ALL THAT IS GOOD, ENJOINING WHAT IS RIGHT, AND FORBIDDING WHAT IS WRONG; THEY ARE THE ONES WHO A TT AIN FELICITY. (S3:V104)
By combining our resources, both medical and religious, we have the only successful way of combatting and ridding mankind of the scourge of STD, Inshallah.!
REFERENCES
1. SHER & KOORNHOF, 3:1 "SA JNI of Sexually Transmitted Diseases", March 83.
1. NOBLE, R.C., "Sexually Transmitted Diseases" M.E.P.C. New York, 1982.
2. OWEN, M. F., 92:802-808, "Ann Int Me d. Sexually transmitted disease and problem", in Homosexual men". 1979.
3. WILLIAM, W.C., 6:278-280, "Sex. Trans. Dis. STD in gay men", 1979.
4. SCHREEDER, THOMSON ET AL, 146:7-15, "Jnllnfectious Diseases. HepatitisB in Homo sexual men", 1982.
5. COREY, L., HOLMES, K., 302:435-438, "New Eng. Jnl Med. Sexual transmiss. of Hepatitis A in Homosexual men". 1980.
6. SAMARASINGH, OATES ETAL, 2:365-366, 1979. "BMJ:HerpeticprocritisandsacraI Radio- meyelopathy".
7. WILLIAM, SHOCKHOF ET AL, 5:155-157, 1978, "Sex. Trans., Dis. High rates of enteric protozoal infections".
8. PHILLIPS, MILDVAN, ET AL, 305:703-6, 1981. "N. Eng. JNI Med. Sexualtransm. of enteric protozoa and hilminths…".
9. OWEN HI LL, 220:1315-18, 1972. "JAMA Rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhoae.
10. BADER, PATERSON ET AL, 4:89-91, 1977. "Sex. Trans. Dis. Venereal Trans of Shigollosis in Seattle".
11. CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL, 31 :652-54, 1982. "M.M. W.R. Possible transfussion associated AIDS".
12. MARX, J.L., 217:618-21. 1982. "Science, New disease baffles medical community...
GENERAl REFERENCES
"Holy Quran".
"Manual of Hadith".
CATTERAL, R.D., 1:315-19. 1981. "Lancet Biological effects of sexual Freedom.
WI LCOX, R.R. "Recent advances in STD ed. ". Harris 1981.
ANSARI, F.R., "Quranic Structure and foundation of Muslim society", Karchi, 1976, 2 vols.
ORI EL, J,D. "Global pattern of STD".
GLATHAAR, E. "Sexually Transmitted Disease". Medunnsa. Pretoria. 1982.
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