The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam — Page 50
44 وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَى إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًاء وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحاً ، 54 53 وَرَهْبَانِيَّةَ ابْتَدَعُوْهَا مَا كَتَبْنَهَا عَلَيْهِمْ. . . . فَمَا رَعَوْهَا 55 حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا That is, direct the believing men to restrain their eyes from looking at women outside the prohibited degrees so openly as to be sexually excited by them, and to cultivate the habit of guarding their looks. And should safeguard their private parts at all cost. Likewise they should restrain their ears outside the prohibited degrees that is they should not listen to the singing or beguiling voices of women outside the prohibited degrees nor should they listen to descriptions of their beauty. This is a good way of preserving the purity of their looks and hearts. In the same way, direct believing women that they should restrain their eyes from looking at men outside the prohibited degrees and should safeguard their ears against listening to the voices of such men. That is 53. And come not near unto adultery; surely, it is a foul thing and an evil way. (The Holy Quran, Bani Isrā'īl 17:33) 54. And those who find no means of marriage should keep themselves chaste, (The Holy Quran, an-Nur 24:34) 55. But monasticism which they invented for themselves-We did not prescribe it for them. . . . . . but they did not observe it with due observance. (The Holy Quran, al-Hadid 57:28)