Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 126
126 Dorms, which are increasingly coed, can promote a lifestyle, which is provocative and contrary to the limits set by Islam. There are more opportunities of free mixing of the sexes and hence possibilities of slipping away from the Jama ’ at. An 18-year-old who is just experiencing his first taste of independence can easily be swayed into a situation which may seem very attractive on the surface but can be very damaging in the long run. Living in dorms increases exposure to some of the evils of society, such as partying, alcohol, drugs etc. , so wherever possible, alternative accommodation should be considered. Some statistics are given below: Some 90 percent of U. S. college dorms are now coed. 7. 7 A new study in the Journal of American College Health finds that students placed by their universities in coed housing are 2. 5 times more likely to binge drink each week than students placed in all-male or all-female housing. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) in his Sermon of April 2 nd , 2010, warned that Ahmadi Muslim parents should take steps to protect their children growing up in a culture where alcohol and gambling are common. Alcohol is known as Umm-ul-Khabais (mother of all ills). Living in a society where alcohol is consumed openly and freely and in large quantities, and is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents, spousal and other abuse in families, spousal faithlessness, etc. , one can easily comprehend the reason of the title given to it. Ism- ul-Kabeer (great sin) is a sin that repeatedly incites one to commit sin. These sins take people away from God and ultimately lead to destruction. Therefore, parents have to be on their guard for any signs of alcohol or drug use in their children. Living at home, or close to home, allows parents to monitor their children more easily, so that (God Forbid) if the child is coming under the influence of friends, they are able to