Sexual crimes of different nature have been a factor of Pakistani society which leaves us in a state of shock from time to time. Latest event has been rape and murder of Qasur’s innocent Zainab. Lot has been said on this issue and as I write these lines, her murderer is still unknown. This will soon become a story of past, people will again get busy in their own lives until another such event takes place (Allah forbid). It is a fact that only those affected can feel the real pain and all others are mere commentators.
However, if we think sensibly it is an issue for all of us. Moral decline and frustration are on the rise. Every now and then, we hear events of sexual harassment, rape of innocent women and in worst cases our little angels are victimized. There have even some cases of men abused by some ambitious women. Adultery (of all forms) being considered a smaller crime compared to former ones. If a diagnosis is carried out, we will find out that roots of all such acts are same. If we really want to solve these issues, then we need to really analyze this and implement solutions to root out such awful acts. Human beings carry three fundamental urges; 1) Urge to Live, 2) Urge to Pleasure and 3) Urge to Power. Here the issue is with elements of ‘Urge to Pleasure’, which has not been dealt appropriately in our society.
Talking about this issue is a Taboo, which needs to be broken at this point of time if not at a later stage. Damage control needs to be done.
Lack of correct information
In my opinion, people are not been fed with knowledge about this desire/urge and how to control it. Adding to that, the overall atmosphere of society is also not monitored which adds to confusion and frustration of people leading to such events.
Children are not made aware of probable issues that they might face in this regard. However as the child grows up, his/her body is developed with related emotions. Adding to lack of correct information, he finds bold scenes in the movies and dramas. His/her desires get a peak with the passage of time. He/she receive information from his/her colleagues or available information from other sources such as the internet. Due to lack of formal guidance, many people consider themselves as severely infected and fight undue psychological pressures. Proper knowledge is never conveyed to them.
Sexual Harassment as a topic was covered by one of our valiant University teacher which was largely skipped by female students. We also attended with a sense of shyness but it was worthy sessions, which opened our eyes to many issues along with their solutions. There was no indecency involved within those lectures, in fact, we were given real-life examples of sexual harassment. That was first and last formal information that I received in life.
Vulgarity in media
Women are used as a showpiece to attract customers. Bold advertisements, dressing of women and the content topics are irresponsibly handled. Such dreamy situations are contrary to circumstances on the ground and take a person to a different world in which controlling their thoughts and emotions become even a bigger test. Mini cinemas and internet are easily accessible to the young boys where their minds are infiltrated with such obscene things. Within many of the Investigation programs, the topics of sexual harassment and male-female affairs are telecasted irresponsibly giving them a wrong lesson at large.
Nikah (Marriage)
Today, getting married has become very difficult, as people have lifted their demands to sky limits. Useless norms and traditions like Mehndi, Dholki and Dowery etc have made it difficult for a normal person to get married. I know a person who was not initiating his life partner search as he was first targeting to gather Rs.10 lacs and it took another about 1.5 years when he achieved 10 lacs; this is so unfair due to peer pressures. Multiple marriages is considered as a crime. These difficulties often end up in opening doors of adultery/sex crimes within people.
Involvement of Powerful People
During Qasur’s child abuse case, a couple of years back, the involvement of some really powerful people was found as reported by media. That story got refreshed this time but it’s yet to reach its logical conclusion.
Some people shamelessly try to force working ladies into doing questionable acts as part of blackmailing using their seat and influence. Lately, news channels have revealed such mean people.
TO DO’S
Islamic Teachings
We need to be very clear in our approach. At one place we claim to be Muslims and nationals of an Islamic state but at the other place shy away when anybody talks about obeying Islam and implementing Islamic Laws. Fahashi (Vulgarity) is one of the main topics of Quran. Allah (S.W.T.) sets clear principles of Parda (veil) and other measures to avoid an ultimate incident of Zina (Infidelity).
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. “
(An-Noor, Chapter #24, Verse #30) (Ref #1)
We take reference from Hadith regarding fundamental teachings of Islam to avoid Zina (Adultery)
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
I did not see anything so resembling minor sins as what Abu Huraira said from the Prophet, who said, “Allah has written for the son of Adam his inevitable share of adultery whether he is aware of it or not: The adultery of the eye is the looking (at something which is sinful to look at), and the adultery of the tongue is to utter (what it is unlawful to utter), and the innerself wishes and longs for (adultery) and the private parts turn that into reality or refrain from submitting to the temptation.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6612
In-book reference: Book 82, Hadith 18
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 77, Hadith 609
(Deprecated numbering scheme) (Ref #2)
Strict Islamic Laws must be placed in the society. Making an example out of such people will serve the cause by inducing fear.
Ulema (Islamic Scholars) should address the causes and effects of such issues. In Zainab’s case as well; I was wondering where all of those big names hiding out and not giving any guidance statement to millions of their followers. Most of us are not aware of the composition of a human body (material and spiritual aspects) and how to streamlines requirements associated with our being as per teachings of Islam. Everyone should make effort to get used to of Islamic practices in this regard.
Our Nation Needs Urgent Measures
Like vaccines are provided for various diseases, like the war strategy is made, like controlling the law and order; sexual issues must be taken up as well. Some suggestions listed are listed below:
Indulgence of proper knowledge among growing children and awareness of how to react in case any such enticement is there by an offender. Basic information regarding human body, Male-Female couple relationship to be clearly conveyed to avoid un-necessary curiosity/uncertainty in young generation’s mind. Father can tell his son and mother can tell her daughter regarding this. Furthermore, separate Boys-Girls class sessions can be designed in which message appropriate to a certain age group can be conveyed wisely.
Easy weddings to be promoted and useless practices like Mehndi, Dholki and other non-Islamic functions to be curtailed which will reduce the load on masses especially low-income class. Encouraging unmarried people to get married via collective marriages.
Multiple marriages for men is considered a sin in our society; we are in a state of denial on this issue which can become a tool to give support to thousands of unmarried women.
Media must be responsible as regards to content they air. women especially must be cautious regarding their appearance.
Reaching out the explicit content to be made as difficult as possible with technology and severe punishments.
Doctors and psychologists need to come forward with articles and short videos to provide basic education to masses regarding this severe issue.
Why are child abuse cases hitting Kasur so hard? this should be seriously researched out. Also to other notorious parts of country infected by such ailments needs to be addressed.
The current system and government are most likely not to take this up seriously. The severity of such issues calls for an immediate action adopting solutions like above in our daily lives. We need to be proactive and aggressive to deal with problems as regards to sexual needs like we carry out arrangements for our living (food, clothes, and shelter). This will surely bring a huge drop in the sexual crimes and make our society a better place.
References:
Ref#1 : https://www.searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=24&translator=5#30
Ref# 2: https://sunnah.com/bukhari/82
