Islam and Human Rights — Page 137
Article 16 137 know, and finally the desire for intimacy. For certain societies the restraint thus re quired of both men and women might in today’s conditions be considered revolutionary. It would not have been so regarded up to the First World War, though even then it would have entailed considerable adjustments in social in tercourse and deportment. Today the situation is rapidly passing beyond remedy. The Quran first sets out what are described as “the limits prescribed by Allah”. For instance, “These are the limits prescribed by Allah, so transgress them not; and whoso transgresses the limits prescribed by Allah, it is they that are the wrongdoers” (2:230). It then enjoins alert ness in watching the limits set by Allah. “Rejoice then, in your bargain that you have made with Him; and that it is which is the supreme triumph. These are the ones who tum to God in repentence, who worship Him, who praise Him, who go out in the land serving Him, who bow down to Him, who prostrate themselves in Prayer, who enjoin equity and forbid iniquity, and who watch the limits set by Allah. Give thou glad tidings to those who have faith” (9:11-12). It then goes on to admonish that the surest way of observing the limits set by Allah is to keep well away from them, “to go not nigh unto them”. “These are the