Recently, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) became the topic of discussion not only in medical journals and social circles, but in world and local magazines, and on television shows. These infectious diseases have medical as well as social ramifications. These are among the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide and are a cause of morbidity and mortality. Sexually transmitted infections can lead to serious sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause various serious health complications. The direct and indirect costs of these diseases worldwide are considerable.
The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that the major mode of transmission of these diseases is through sexual contact with infected individuals. The diseases, therefore, can be transmitted from woman to man, man to woman, man to man, and female to female. Homosexuality, one of the worst forms of sexual permissiveness, and sexual promiscuity are the main causes of the spread of this disease. Similarly, the disease is common among drug addicts who share infected needles and syringes. If not taken medical care, STI diseases can also be transmitted through blood by transfusing the blood of HIV-infected persons to others.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks first in yearly incidence compared to other world regions. Africa must implement effective and comprehensive integrated activities against the sexually transmitted infections and disease epidemic. The World Health Organization has estimated infections in Africa alone per year as follows: about 3.7 million cases of syphilis, 36 million cases of trichomoniasis, 19 million cases of chlamydial disease, and 17 million cases of gonorrhea.
Africa, therefore, must implement effective and comprehensive integrated activities against infections and epidemics. Elements of such a strategy will include disease prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of cases.
More than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some STIs can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs. Of these, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. The other 4 are viral infections that are very difficult to treat and not always successful are: hepatitis B, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). However, all STIs can have serious consequences beyond the immediate impact of the infection itself. For example, the WHO recently reported the following facts:
STIs like herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis can increase the risk of HIV acquisition.
Mother-to-child transmission of STIs can result in stillbirth, neonatal death, low birth weight, prematurity, sepsis, neonatal conjunctivitis, and congenital deformities.
HPV infection causes cervical and other cancers.
Hepatitis B resulted in over 1 million deaths in the year 2022.
STIs such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women.
More than 1 million STIs are acquired every day, that is 365 million new infections every year adding up on top of old infections.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with over 311,000 cervical cancer deaths each year.
STIs have a direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatization, infertility, cancers, and pregnancy complications and can increase the risk of HIV.
Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its global health sector strategy for the prevention and control of STIs. More than 50 years of international efforts to combat sexually transmitted infections and diseases but infections and related diseases are on the rise in many parts of the world.
All international programs and strategies are considered mainly educating people about the consequences of such diseases, providing condoms, funding screening programs, early detection of disease, and providing medications for affected people. The cost of such activities plus medical research worldwide is estimated in trillions of dollars. However, these programs are not meant to eliminate diseases and do not consider preventing the root of the problem.
The root cause of sexually transmitted infections is unlawful sexual behavior. Sexual behavior is extremely complex and if not regulated properly, the result is always unsatisfactory – bringing unlawful pregnancies, spreading deadly diseases, and resulting in social degradation and corruption.
Despite all international efforts, there is no sign of eliminating infections. So, what can be done, and what is the plan to eliminate infections and diseases?
In this short communication, I would like to bring my attention to readers regarding my opinion on the most effective way to eliminate sexually transmitted infections. In my recent search and study, I learned that the most and in fact, the only effective way is to follow the Islamic way of prevention, as I summarize below.
The Islamic way of prevention is divided into two:
Divine Code of Conduct:
The excellent teachings of Islam that are prescribed directly by the Creator provide a perfect “Code of Conduct” for human beings which precludes any possibility of moral degradation. Without this Divine Code of Conduct, the world is doomed for perdition.
In Islam, adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are crimes not only against one person but against society as a whole. The only way that men and female to come to sexual activity is by marriage, no other way is allowed.
In Islamic Law, the Divine Code of Conduct to prevent adultery is explained clearly and all actions that may lead to adultery and unlawful sex are also prohibited and clearly regulated. Actions like dress code, human behaviors, punishment, and consequences of adultery are all explained and applicable in any society. Other indirect causes of unlawful sex are also prohibited in Islam, like drinking alcohol and music are prohibited and modern scientific studies show that alcohol and music increase sexual arousal, and in turn lead to unlawful sex, adultery, and fornication.
In Islamic law, there is a principle known in Arabic as “Sadd Al-Dharāi”, or as it explained, “virtue of blocking the means of any particular action which may bring harm to mankind, would be deemed unlawful and illegitimate”.
The principle means “Prevention is Better than Cure”. The main sources of sexually transmitted infections are adultery, fornication, and unlawful sex. Under this principle, individuals and societies must be protected from such diseases, thus, Islam forbids any action that may cause sexual arousal that may lead to adultery and fornication. To apply this concept, Islam does not tolerate the practice of unlawful sexual relations, and anything that leads to or promotes unlawful sexual relationships is prohibited, as explained below.
Toward Morality:
Islamic moral laws, if adopted, would have prevented STIs and their devastating effects. Some are starting to realize the correct way toward morality, and in some Western countries the pendulum is moving again to conservatism, and the flames of the sexual revolution are fading, being replaced by the light of good reason and good health.
Islam forbids all means that lead to sexual arousal between a man and a woman, except in the context of lawful spouses. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly warns people not to come near or closer to unlawful relationships that can lead to unlawful sex. All of these laws and regulations are to prevent the consequences of unlawful sexual relationships and thus prevent diseases and corruption in society.
Islam has strongly emphasized the concept of decency, modesty, and chastity. The Quran warns against immoral lust and the Prophet Mohammad has described modesty as "a part of faith", meaning fear of Allah and the Day of Judgment, that requires righteousness and avoiding wrongdoings. Islam strictly discourages nudity and public nakedness, It is not permissible to do acts and things that lead to sexual arousal and that can lead to adultery.
Official statistics show that in Islamic communities that follow these Divine Code of Conduct, the cases of sexually transmitted infections and diseases are very low or absent. Adherence to Islamic moral laws would be the most effective, it is not the only effective way to interrupt the transmission of diseases but will save humanity from these diseases and their serious consequences.
It is well established the fact that victims of sexually transmitted infections and diseases are those who practice sodomy or even anyone who maintains sexual relations with anyone other than his/her lawful spouse. The disease AIDS is a living sign of the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet of Islam, who made a prophecy over 1400 years ago. He said: “Whenever unlawful sexual conduct prevails with a society to the point that they feel no shame in disclosing it or doing it openly, then they shall suffer the Plague and such painful illnesses that their ancestors have never experienced”.
How precisely has the Prophecy from the Prophet Mohammad been fulfilled in our time; the scientists of today have not only described AIDS as `the Plague of the Century’ but also observed that the virus causing AIDS becomes more aggressive and highly dangerous when it is traveling rapidly through a population. That exactly is the case in a highly promiscuous society. This proves that AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are heavenly punishments for immorality and sexual perversities. A plague-like disease can spread and can be more horrible if humanity doesn’t end immorality and learn from their mistakes.
Islam does not tolerate the practice of unlawful sexual relations, anything that leads or promotes unlawful sexual relationships is prohibited. Sexual activities are permitted between lawful spouses. It is found that many victims of STIs are those who practice sodomy or even anyone who maintains sexual relations with anyone other than his/her lawful spouse.
My advice here is that no one should be deceived by anyone that dating and sexual relationships before marriage are good or have any benefits, these actions must be avoided at any cost, and only married couples to approach sexual intercourse or sexual activity. Morality must be paramount; couples must strictly do sexual activities by themselves only and strictly no outside sexual relationships.
Islam has provided very broad solutions for all family problems including issues related to marriage, divorce, and lawful polygamy in case more females than men are in society – all of these regulations and laws are prescribed by Allah to humankind for the prevention of diseases, social immorality, degradation, and corruption.
In our future episodes, I will explain these Islamic laws and regulations related to family and society.
Allah commands people, both men and women equally, to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, which is because of the serious nature of immoral actions and unlawful sexual relationships and what leads to great corruption of society. Everyone has to fear his Creator in secret and in public and keep away from that which Allah has forbidden like shaking hands, kissing, and other forbidden actions between opposite sex which lead to the immoral action of adultery.
Medical studies show that some hormones are activated by touch and intimacy and that can promote senses of binding and increase sexual desires. Under Islamic law, these actions are prohibited unless extremely necessary like medical observations or treatment with no availability of same sex for such medical care. All these laws are meant for the prevention of unlawful sex and prevention of transmission of diseases and corruption of family and society.
Indeed, the solution to this problem lies in observing the Islamic teachings, that cover every aspect to prevent unlawful sexual actions. When we look at the causes of AIDS, it becomes absolutely clear that it is the un-Islamic practices that are responsible for this disease.
Amazingly, the conclusions that the scientists have drawn are exactly what Islam has taught us. Here is the list of recommendations from scientific research and from WHO:-
“Only a change in sexual behavior and a war against drugs can stop the progress of the disease.”
WHO report reads: “In the absence of effective vaccine or drug, the only intervention that successfully changes people’s behavior can slow further spread of HIV, which is transmitted for the most part through sexual intercourse”.
The report from the world summit about “Facts About Aids” (2018), says: “Stick to your faithful partner. Avoid casual sex or multiple partners.”
The aforementioned “change in sexual behavior” and “the faithful partner” are nothing but to observe Islamic ways concerning sexual relations.
Islamic family laws and regulations provide clear guidance for one’s sexual relations and prohibit all sorts of pre-marital, extra-marital, or casual sex, which are the characteristics of a sexually promiscuous society. Islam requires all men and women to get married when they are capable of doing so. For guarding one’s chastity before the time of marriage or if someone has no capabilities to marry, the Prophet of Islam has advised `Fasting’, which kills desires, and modern scientific studies prove that the “Islamic Way of Fasting” is the best way to reduce desires.
The institution of marriage, which furnishes a basic solution to the problem of AIDS and all sexually transmitted diseases, is a sacred institution in Islam. On one hand, a normal marriage leads to procreation, and sustenance of the human race, which is the cardinal reason for the institution of marriage, while on the other hand, it lays heavy responsibility on the parents regarding training and modeling of future generations.
There are another two aspects in the teaching of Islam that very important in prevention of spread of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. These are:
Circumcision:
Under Islamic law, circumcision is compulsory for every Muslim man. It is the removal of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis. Medical studies have shown that circumcision has multiple benefits including that it lowers the risk of acquiring all sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV, syphilis, HPV, genital herpes, and gonorrhea. Moreover, it reduces the risk of cervical cancer and reduces the risk of penile cancer.
According to reports, 100% of Muslim men are circumcised. Other faiths depend on location, some Christian countries recommend it for health reasons but others do not.
Genital Wash:
Under Islamic law, male and female must wash their genital after sex. The benefits of such hygienic action are obvious. In our topic, washing genitals after sex reduces the infestation of microbes and eliminates their growth. Semen and genital secretions during intercourse are perfect environments for the growth of many microbes, by washing these fluids and secretions the chance of microbial growth is eliminated.
In Conclusion,
The major mode of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is through sexual contact with infected individuals. Following the following practices will eliminate these diseases from our societies:
All sexual contact must be between legal spouses. International programs must consider helping youth marriage and educating them on the dangers of having unlawful sex and multiple illegal partners. Current international programs are trying to provide free condoms, this practice will never eliminate diseases but encourage people to have unlawful sex with multiple unlawful partners.
Prevention of diseases is better than cure. Educational programs must concentrate on moral issues that eliminate all actions that lead to sexual arousal in youth, including dress code, dirty music, and alcohol.
Male Circumcision and hygiene of genitals have been shown to substantially lower the transmission of diseases.
Correct “Divine Code of Conduct” from God to be followed in our daily life, people do not fear human laws but fear God’s law; thus, correct teachings of God must be introduced in our societies, not fabricated ones.
The excellent teachings of Islam provide such a complete “Perfect Code of Conduct” for human beings which precludes any possibility of moral degradation, it would be a natural and real solution to the problem of AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections and diseases, which is haunting human fancy today and in our posterity. Muslim communities have the least cases of sexually transmitted diseases.
If all people in the world follow these Divine teachings regarding marriage and preventing unlawful sex, then the world will be safe from all sexually transmitted diseases. Without this Divine Code of Conduct, the world is doomed for perdition, its only solution is following the teachings of Islam.
I Rest My Case..!
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References:
WHO Reports – World Health Organization, www.who.int
UNDP Report, The 25th International AIDS Conference 2024. www.undp.org.
Sahih Al-Bukhari – Sunnah.com. A collection of Hadith from the Prophet Mohammad.
Islamic Perspectives on HIV: A Scoping Review. Springer Link, 2024. https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): National Library of Medicine, USA. Various Publications and Reviews.
Australian Institute of Health Welfare, www.aihw.gov.au