Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 230
230 Indeed, the neglect of any capacity is itself evil inasmuch as it amounts to misuse of it. That is why Islam does not permit celibacy or monasticism as a way of life. It recognises that people who instituted these systems did it with a good motive, but inasmuch as the systems offended against the principle of the beneficent use of all faculties and capacities, they lent themselves to abuse and did harm (57:28). Islam teaches that married life is the higher state because it is a means of complete and co- ordinated development of personality, and urges the adoption of that state as an aid toward such development (4:4). The Prophet has said: “The married state is our way. He who deliberately turns away from our way is not of us. ” He who, having arrived at marriageable age is unable to find a suitable mate, is exhorted to observe complete continence till the opportunity of making a suitable match presents itself (24:34). Extramarital relations are forbidden altogether (17:33). The exercise of the right of ownership over property, goods, money, and the like is another natural instinct. Its unregulated exercise may, on the one hand, lead to extravagance, and, on the other hand, to miserliness and hoarding. The first regulation of this instinct imposed by Islam is that what is spent upon others must be pure and of good quality and should have been lawfully earned or obtained. It is only such