These days, adultery or having sexual relationships without a marriage contract is becoming more and more normal to people of different faiths and beliefs. This is against all Abrahamic religions that had strictly forbidden adultery. However, those who commit adultery may bring many logical reasons to justify their act. Most people who commit adultery may simply think that this is the natural way of satisfying their biological needs, while not considering themselves as adulterers with a negative meaning. 
Many unmarried men and women believe that experiencing a sexual intercourse with their girlfriend/boyfriend is very important for them to decide if they would like to marry that person and live the rest of their life with her/him. 

Being aware of all different modern ideas about the importance of experiencing sexual relationship before marriage, in this text we try to have a quick study on the idea of Islam about adultery and the reasons and philosophies behind those ideas. 

Mention of Adultery in the Quran 

There are a few verses in the holy Quran that directly speak about adultery and some other verses that indirectly guide people on how to stay away from this vile action. 

To clarify the state of fornication among other sins, Allah (SWT) brings it alongside the greatest sins one may commit: “Those who do not invoke another deity besides Allah, and do not kill a soul [whose life] Allah has made inviolable, except with due cause, and do not commit fornication…” (25: 68). As it is clear in the verse, adultery is counted alongside with infidelity and murder.  

Another indication in the Quran about adultery says: “Do not approach fornication. It is indeed an indecency and an evil way.” (17:32) 

In this verse, apart from calling fornication an indecency, it considers it as a “way”. Allamah Tabatabayi has studied the word “way” in this verse in comparison with the same word in the following verse addressing the homosexual people at the time of Prophet Lout (PBUH): “Do you come to men, and cut off the way, and commit outrages in your gatherings?” (29:29), concluding that the word way refers to healthy reproduction of human beings. He states that the verses refer to the fact that homosexuality and fornication will lead to the weakening of the families and therefore, to the weakening of the society. [1]

Another important point mentioned in the above verse is that it does not say ‘do not commit adultery’ but it emphasizes not to even go near it. Not only being alone with a marriageable kin (Non-Mahram), kissing, touching, etc. may lead to adultery and are forbidden (Haram).  Simpler acts such as looking, talking on the phone, sending text messages or sending likes on social networks, if prepare the grounds for adultery are considered forbidden (Haram). [2]

But how should we keep away from adultery in a world in which media and advertisement encourage and invite people to fornication and adultery?

Quran guidelines on keeping one safe from adultery

When Allah (SWT) emphasizes on not going near adultery, He provides us with practices and the right lifestyle to be able to stay away from it. Some of the tips are mentioned bellow:

1- Controlling the look

It is narrated from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (AS) that “An evil glance is one of the poisonous arrows of Satan. Many of such glances becomes a cause of prolonged regret.” [3]

Controlling the look is one of the practices that helps one to be able to control his/her sexual desires. Allah (SWT) teaches us to cast down our looks and not to gaze lustfully at those of marriageable kin (Non-Mahram) or even at animals and things
“Tell the faithful men to cast down their looks and to guard their private parts. That is more decent for them.” (24: 30) 

“And tell the faithful women to cast down their looks and to guard their private parts …” (24:31)

These days the rule applies to the movies, pictures and advertisements, etc. in which the naked or half nude images or films of men and women are visible. [4]

2- Covering beauty

The other approach that the Quran offers to keep the society away from adultery is for women to wear Hijab and cover their body except what is legally observable, such as hands and face. They should also cover their beautification, make up, jewelry, and not even try to announce men of the ornaments they are wearing under their cover by making noises; for example, their bangles and bracelets: 

“… and not to display their charms, beyond what is [acceptably] visible, and let them draw their scarfs over their bosoms … And let them not thump their feet to make known their hidden ornaments …” (24:31)

3- Avoiding flirting and teasing with the opposite sex

Some men and women may even wear the Islamic dress code and not even look in each other’s eyes, but they do not observe the chastity of speech. They should not speak to each other in a soft and enticing voice to encourage each other’s feelings and they shouldn’t make jokes and flirt with each other. 

“…if you are wary [of Allah], do not be complaisant in your speech, lest he in whose heart is a sickness should aspire.” (33:32)

4- Getting married

So if the opposite sexes are not allowed to enjoy being together, what is the whole point of them being created in two different sexes and having attraction for each other?

Allah (SWT) has put this attraction and desire toward the opposite sex for people to make families and reproduce and find peace and calmness beside their spouses: 

“And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own selves that you may take comfort in them, and He ordained affection and mercy between you...” (30:21) 

Having a family and being loyal to it helps the society to be a safer place in which people can perform their duties and missions in life without being distracted by vain thoughts and concerns. Therefore, Allah (SWT) emphasizes on getting married and helping others to get married:

“Marry off those who are single among you, and the upright among your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His grace, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.” (24:32)

And for those who cannot find a spouse for themselves, Allah (SWT) recommends them to keep their chastity: “Those who cannot afford marriage should be continent until Allah enriches them out of His grace.” (24:33) they should trust in Allah’s word and wait for His promise to come true. Sooner or later Allah (SWT) will enrich them as promised: “… And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Indeed, Allah carries through His commands. Certainly, Allah has ordained a measure [and extent] for everything.” (65:3)

5- Prohibition of being alone in the company of marriageable kin (Non-Mahrams)   

The other guideline for preventing adultery is that the opposite sex of marriageable kin (Non-Mahram) should not stay lonely in a private place together. It is narrated from Imam Ali (AS) that: “A man should not be alone in the company of a woman (marriageable kin (Non-Mahrams)) for in that case Satan will be the third person.” [5]

6- Severe punishment for the adulterer 

After providing all the above hints to people to keep themselves chaste and stay away from fornication and adultery, for those who do not follow the guidelines and insist on committing adultery and have no fear of publicizing it, Allah (SWT) has considered punishments in different levels.  [6]

What if one has already committed Adultery? 

In Surah Furqan, after stressing on the nasty nature of adultery and its great punishment, Allah (SWT) assures His servants that if they regret their deed and repent to their Lord, deciding not to commit their sin again, Allah will forgive them: “except those who repent, attain faith, and act righteously. For such, Allah will replace their misdeeds with good deeds, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.” (25:70)

Islam tries to bring peace and happiness to human life with its laws and legislations. It also provides life skills by which one can achieve both worldly and spiritual improvement,  

References: 

1. tafsir
2. Tafseer-e Noor, Qara’ati, M. Vol. 5. P. 53
3. tenth greater sins
4. Tafseer-e Noor, Qara’ati, M. Vol. 5. P. 53
5. Mustadrak Al-Wasa’il, vol. 2, p. 553
6. Al-Nour, verses 2-4
    

Arbaeen pilgrimage is one of the most important ceremonies in Shia culture in which people come to Karbala for visiting the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) and commemorating his sacrifice. Actually, Arbaeen pilgrimage is an exhibition of Shias’ lifestyle and because of that, Shia Imams pointed out the importance of Arbaeen pilgrimage many times.  

Arbaeen Pilgrimage in Hadiths

There are many hadiths quoted from our Imams about the significance of visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) and also about the rewards that Allah Almighty blesses the pilgrims with:
Imam Baqir (AS) said:

If the people knew about the profusion of Allah’s rewards to the pilgrims of Imam Hussain (AS), they would die due to their excitement and enthusiasm (1)

Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
If a person went to the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS), Allah will reward him as He rewards him for a Hajj plus an Umrah (another kind of the pilgrimage of Ka’bah) (2)

He (AS) also said:

Anyone who wants the Paradise to be their abode and refuge, they must not forget about visiting the grave of the Oppressed [means Imam Hussain (AS)] (3)

There are also hadiths which say we must visit the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) on Arbaeen day:
Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS), the Eleventh Imam, says:

The signs of faith are five: praying 51 Rak’ats during the day, the pilgrimage of Arbaeen, putting ring on the right hand, putting frontal on dirt (during Sajdah), and saying “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim” by a loud voice (4)

Because of these hadiths, many Shias come to Karbala in Arbaeen to visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (AS). Not only Shias, but also many Sunnis or even Christians, jews and many other faiths participate in this grand ceremony. 

Help and Dedication is the Most Important Lesson of Arbaeen

During these days when millions of people from all around the world come and visit some cities of Iraq including Karbala, Najaf, Samarra and Kazimain, all services to the pilgrims are provided by the Iraqi people themselves like food, water, places for rest, clinical services, etc. 

The generosity of Iraqi people in these days shows all the visitors that Imam Hussain’s message (AS) is different from any other hero in this world. They learn that in a world where everybody thinks only of their interests, we can be different just like Imam Hussain (AS). Iraqi people have exhibited a new lifestyle in which people are not individuals but a community led by one person, that is Imam Hussain (AS), regardless of their nationality, age, color, language, etc. and they are ready to sacrifice anything for their faith in Imam Hussain’s message (AS). 

Actually, this is what our awaited Imam, Imam Mahdi (AJ), wants. It is quoted from Imam Mahdi (AJ) that he said:

If the hearts of our followers where united based on accomplishing their covenant with us, it wouldn’t take long for them to meet us and they would be blessed with seeing us so soon. (5)

Iraqi people’s sacrificial deeds have made it so easy for people to do as Imam Mahdi (AJ) in this Hadith says. When Shia Muslims sacrifice all they have for their Shia brothers and sisters, it is called “Musavat” which means thinking of your bother and your sister as yourself and share everything you have with him orher. What we see in Iraq during the Arbaeen ceremony is actually the culture and the lifestyle which Shi’ism suggests: a society without poverty and cruelty; the society of Musavat. 

In this regard Imam Baqir (AS) says:

O son of Artat! [one of the Shias] how do you Shiites help each other?
 He said: very well O Aba-Jafar! [Imam Baqir (AS)]. Imam Baqir (AS) said: is it possible for any of you to put their hand in the pocket of their brother andmtake what they need when they need it so much?
He said: no, we do not allow that.
Imam Baqir (AS) said: if you did, there would be no needy among you. (6)

Fighting against Oppression and tyranny is the massage of Imam Hussain (AS)

Some concepts are valued everywhere in the world. For example, if you sacrifice your life to save another human being, you will be considered as a hero. The soldiers who fight for their nation’s freedom and dedicate their lives to save others are respected by anyone in their countries. Just like that, Imam Hussain (AS) sacrificed his life and the lives of his companions to save all the humanity from ignorance, misdirection and violence. In the Arbaeen prayer (a suggested prayer by the Shiite Imams that you read when you visit the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) on Arbaeen) we say:
[O God!] Imam Hussain (AS) sacrificed the blood in his heart for your sake, so that he would save your worshipers from ignorance and the confusion of misdirection (7)

Imam Hussain (AS) showed the humanity that we must not accept the tyranny of any king, president, prime minister, or any person. Every person is important and we are responsible for their lives and we even should sacrifice our lives to save theirs. Clearly, this lesson creates a worldwide peace if everyone was familiar with it and put it in practice. 

How lady Zeinab (AS) can be a role-model for women? 

Lady Zeinab (AS) is Imam Hussain’s sister (AS) who accompanied him on his journey to Karbala and she was captured as a slave with the other women after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS). She was a patient woman who endured all these problems including loss of her darlings, slavery, the enemies brutal behavior, humiliation and so forth; But she didn’t lose her control and she stood against the Yazid in Damascus and made some speeches that woke people up and made them aware of Yazid’s cruelty and bloodthirst. She actually was the messenger of Imam Hussain (AS) to the whole world and was commissioned to fight against oppression without a sword in her hands. 

Women must take lady Zeinab as an example and learn that if they cannot fight like men in the battlefields, it doesn’t mean that they have no responsibility for fighting against injustice. They can change the culture of a society if they believe in themselves. 
 
 Resources 

1.  Vasa’il ash-Shia, Sheik Hurr al-A’meli, vol.10, Pg.353
2. Bihar al-Anvar, Allamah al-Majlesi, vol.101, Pg.39
3.  Kamil az-Ziarat, Ibn Qulavaih, Pg.147
4.  Iqbal al-A’mal, As-Seyyed ibn Tavuss, vol.2, Pg.589
5.  Al-Ih’tijaj, At-Tabarsi, vol.2, Pg.325
6.  Bihar al-Anvar, Allamah al-Majlesi, vol.78, Pg.185
7. The same, vol.98, Pg.331