Engaging The Issue of AIDS
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 126 |
| Khutbah Date: | 12/03/04 |
Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge . [ Qur'an 7:33]
World AIDS Day
December 1 st is dedicated globally to focusing on one of the major issues confronting the human race at the present time, the fight against AIDS. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that damages the body's defence system, stopping it from effectively fighting infections. When HIV enters the body, our defence system starts fighting the virus. Over time, our defence system becomes too weak to protect itself from many different kinds of infections. The virus lives in certain body fluids, such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. It is this virus which causes AIDS.AIDS is an acronym of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome . It is a collection of symptoms that appear together and it is acquired through infection. So, AIDS is a fatal disease that weakens the resistance of the body and makes it defenseless against all kinds of infections such as pneumonia, diarrhea, Kaposi's sarcoma, etc.
Every Country Affected
Some Muslims may think that HIV and AIDS are not issues for the community. The reality is that HIV and AIDS are major issues in many Muslim countries. It is therefore becoming extremely important that we accept that we are equally vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Given the increase in HIV infection globally, it is more important than ever that we discuss HIV and AIDS openly . Every single country in the world has been affected by HIV.The United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that since the start of the global HIV pandemic around 29.4 million people have been infected with HIV and there are an estimated 300,000 people living with HIV in North Africa and the Middle East at present.
Shocking Statistics
Here are some of the alarming facts of this tragedy :
- 2.9 million people died from AIDS in 2003; nearly half a million were children under the age of 15
- 4.8 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2003; that's 14,000 a day!
- 4.8 million new HIV infections occurred in 2003. That's about 14,000 a day!
- As of the end of 2003, an estimated 37.8 million people around the world were living with AIDS/HIV; 35.7 million adults, 2.1 million children under the age of 15
- 2.9 million people lost their lives in 2003; almost 500,000 were children under the age of 15.
- Over 20 million people have died since the first AIDS case was identified n 1980.
- 25 million children will be orphans by 2010 because of AIDS
- 70 million deaths from AIDS are estimated in the next 20 years
- 38 million people are currently living with HIV/AIDS
- 14 000 people a day are infected by HIV/AIDS
Spread of AIDS
Though AIDS is could be spread by …
- By sharing un-sterilized needles, syringes, and other injecting equipment.
- By blood transfusion with HIV infected blood or blood products.
- Through organ transplants that are infected with HIV.
- Through artificial insemination with HIV infected semen.
- From an infected mother to her baby. (Rates of transmission from mother to baby are about 30%)
- AIDS is mot often spread due to indiscriminate sexual activity, homosexuality and drug abuse.
All this implies that …
- AIDS is among the major threats affecting the future of the human race
- there is still NO CURE for AIDS.
- anyone who develops AIDS will die within a few years and the death is likely to be horrible
- promiscuity and deviant sexual behavior is a major contributing factor to the spread of AIDS
Prevention is best
Islam is a religion that is in tune with fitrah /human nature, opposed to fitnah /impropriety and corruption. It appreciates the powerful desires that humans have and encourages that these desires be fulfilled, advocating and encouraging marriage, so that through marriage, some desires can be fulfilled. Islam provides us with a moral code for intimacy and enjoyment, but prohibits the use of substances which may impair the senses. Therefore the use of narcotics and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Islam has in reality forbidden all of the three main doors leading to Aids …
- Disregard for Chastity ~ Sexual morality is the foundation of an ethically civilized social order. Islam, being a comprehensive way of life, has recognized the value of modesty and provides a practical ethical code relating to sexual morality, which can ensure preservation and advancement of a healthy social order. Guarding chastity from immorality can purify the soul, bring peace to close relationships, and maintain dignity. “ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their chastity. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, and protect their chastity. ” [Q 24: 30] Allah praised those who guard their chastity, and made that a sign of falaah /spiritual and moral success success. Allah says, “ Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their prayers in humility; And those who turn away from laghw (improper, false, evil, falsehood and vain talk); And those who pay the zakah ; And those who guard their chastity ” [ Q 22: 1]. Say: the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are shameful deeds, whether open or secret [Q7:33]
- Homosexuality ~ Lawaatah /Homosexual intimacy is a moral disorder, considered as deviant behavior and therefore a perversion. Allah thus condemns homosexual activity. [ Qur'an 7:80-81]
- Drug Abuse ~ The Shariah seeks to protect faith, life (abortion, suicide, homicide), property (ownership), the mind (intoxicants) and moral standards. Ability to make a judgment, to protect the body or honor, is lost under the influence of drugs and Islam therefore forbids ma khaamar al-‘ aql / whatever befogs the mind. [Q 2:219] “They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: 'In them there is a great sin, and some benefit, for people, but the harm is far greater than the benefit.”
Deviant and immoral behavior have dire consequences, physically, physiologically, spiritually, socially and morally. The Prophet ( pbuh ) said:
“ Whenever adultery and homosexuality becomes spread in a society and they publicize their deviancy, then infection and diseases which were not previously known will appear and spread among them ”.
Islam is a religion that has evaluated sexual life positively. Articulating the integral relationship between spirituality and sexuality is one way that the Prophet Muhammad challenged his society. English author, Dr Anne Besant said that … Muhammad was one major world figure who dealt with the issue of sexuality openly and honestly. Many scholars and Islamic leaders in the present shy away from honest discussions of gender and sexuality, with all its promise and problems.
We must steer away from the three common responses employed by many Muslims to modern dilemmas …
- Moral High Ground ~ Merely quoting Qur'an and Hadith , implying Muslims have textual reference to these matters and are thus on a moral high ground
- Ostrich Approach ~ bury our heads in the sand ; thinking these things do not affect us, as if we are perfect and we have no problems and thus unaffected by these new dilemmas.
- Blame Game ~ Blame everything on the “ kuffaar ”, rationalizing all problems within the framework of conspiracies and ignoring to focus on how we are affected by (or even contribute to) the problem.
The better option is perhaps the fourth;
- Engage Reality ~ This is the Prophetic approach (who often prayed, “ O Allah! Show me things as they really are .”) and to unassumingly attempt to adhere to divinely ordained values and develop a methodology to integrate us into the society at large without losing our religious integrity and identity. In this way we maintain our values and principles while being a positive, active component to the Muslim and larger community.
Collateral Casualties of the AIDS ‘epidemic'
There are many Muslims who are affected by HIV/AIDS. We have no right to judge or condemn people. These people are someone's son or daughter, brother or sister: they are part of the Muslim community. We cannot shun people living with HIV or AIDS. Any person with AIDS should be given attention, care, love and affection, so the person can lead his/her life with dignity. Among the most unfortunate casualties of AIDS are …
- women who in many societies are more frowned upon if HIV positive because it is assumed that she was promiscuous while she may actually be the wife of promiscuous husbands.
- 8,000 children are orphaned per day, most condemned to the probability of being HIV positive themselves and destined to an early and horrifying death.
These are innocent victims. What are we doing for them? May Allah protect us from all these balaa'/ tribulations and grant us the capacity to live our lives guided by our highest moral judgment. May Allah grant us to be of those …
conscious of their standing before the Lord and in control of desires, thus qualifying for an abode in Paradise . [Q 79:40 -41]