Sunday, November 13, 2011

In the name of freedom

While reading news headlines recently I was so shocked to see an advertisement for “actors” to “star in a porn movie”. The advert was a news article inviting people to audition as if it was a perfectly normal thing. I really was surprised and I actually had to check to make sure that I had read correctly. Unfortunately I had read correctly, this was so disappointing I can’t tell you how it sickened me.
What can you can expect though, from a society which insists on absolute freedom in all regards. It’s no wonder that things which used to be sacred are no longer regarded in this manner. So much so that even very young, innocent children are exposed to all sorts of lewdness and nudity.

 Pornography is a real problem in our societies. The negative effects are undoubtedly obvious (that is for those who actually open their eyes and ponder). This includes an increase in sexual related crimes, increase in childhood sexuality and teen pregnancies. Sometimes it has even lead to the breakdown of marriages and families. In short, this is a threat to a moral and righteous way of life. And the problem is that pornography is so easily available to anyone and everyone. Previously people had more shame and perhaps they were stopped from watching these things because of the embarrassment of having other people (albeit strangers) know that you are watching it. People had to go out and get access to these films or magazines, but now there are no boundaries because these things can very easily be accessed in private on cell-phones and computers.

But that’s not all. While many of us would never even think of watching pornographic films or looking at pornographic images, most of us are exposed to various forms of pornography without even realizing it. Television adverts, movies (including family movies and even animations), billboards, magazines and the internet (of course) all contain high degrees of pornographic material. The only difference is that it’s given a different label, thus making it easier for people to accept it. And so we have a situation where it’s extremely difficult not to be affected by this, because even if you decide to only watch the news, you are still affected in some way or the other.

 And through it all, these so-called ideas of freedom gets thrown in our faces like nothing else matters. ‘People should be free to do whatever they want to’, we are told. ‘It’s their lives and their bodies so why should they be bound by limits’, right? But I have to ask the question; Can “freedom” at the expense of morality, respect, righteousness and modesty actually be regarded as freedom at all. When hearts and minds are being corrupted with filth; is this really freedom? When children’s innocence is taken away because of all this, is this still “freedom”.

 If human beings have no limits at all then they become just like animals, because it is balance and the ability to limit oneself appropriately, not unbridled freedom which differentiates humans from animals. And while I write this, I can’t help but remember the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) something to this effect:
There will come a time towards the end of times where people will have sexual intercourse in public like donkeys.”

Alhamdullillah (All Praise is to Allah), the words spoken by our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) always proves to be truthful.

 So while they candy-coat all forms of vices and make it look like freedom, Muslims need to remember that we have been given the perfect way to live our lives. We have no need to adopt other lifestyles, and we should not be fooled by false ideas of freedom. You see, we have real freedom, because the freedom we have allows us to live modest and respectful lives which in turn should lead to natural peace and harmony. We have a freedom which elevates us as human beings, and does not degrade or demoralise us, thereby making us behave just like animals.

 May Almighty Allah guide and protect us all Inshaa-Allah!

10 comments:

  1. Certainly, the evil being spread in the name of freedom is in fact the slavery of Satan who had declared that,

    "And most certainly I will lead them astray and excite in them vain desires, and bid them so that they shall slit the ears of the cattle, and most certainly I will bid them so that they shall alter Allah's creation". [4.119: The Quran]

    I wish that I were not alive in the current era in which people claim, "In God We Trust" but instea obey and spread a lifestyle which is purely being dictated by Satan.


    Thanks for writing about this serious social evil.

    Ameen on your prayers.

    May Allah reward you, May Allah be with you, ameen.

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  2. Ibn Hanif

    Jazakallah Khayr for your comment and for your prayers, and thank you for quoting this important verse of the Glorious Quraan. I agree with you that this is indeed the work of shaytaan who wishes to lead man astray making evil look good and good look evil or boring. Although I know how you feel about not wanting to be alive in this era, I also believe that we need good Muslims to be alive and spread the word of truth, the word of Allah. Inshaa-Allah soon good will triumph over evil. May Allah make us all strong in Imaan Inshaa-Allah Ameen.

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  3. This is a very interesting post Zarina and unfortunately true that we are more and more subject to Pornography and very negative images. I am often shocked as an adult, so I can only imagine the impact this has on children.
    I think freedom has its limits, mostly in the case when the lives of others are in danger. Freedom is an individual right but it ends when this right endangered respect.

    Thank you for reminding us to protect our eyes and minds, as well as our children.
    Be blessed for always spreading your message so nicely and in simplicity, so all can have access and reflect.
    Stay well always and have a lovely Monday!

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  4. Marie

    Thank you for your comment. I agree with you, freedom has to have limits otherwise it can't really be productive but ends up being destructive. Thank you for always having kind and encouraging words.

    Stay in peace and have a great week ahead.

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  5. There doesn't seem to be 'shame' anymore in society now!

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  6. Karima

    That's so true, shame and modesty have become things that are regarded as "boring", this is very sad, and this is why we need to keep emphasising these virtues and teaching them to our children so that things like shame, modesty and respect does not dissappear altogether.

    Once again I have to ask Allah to guide us all inshaa-Allah.

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  7. You're right inshaAllah one day the good will triumph over evil.


    JazakAllahu khayr.

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  8. Ibn Hanif

    Inshaa-Allah Ameen!

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  9. Behaving like animals...so true. Why would Allah give us so much freedom and wisdom so that we can go down to the level of an animal?

    Pornography is a real problem in society BUT what is more real is that many people do not know that it is a problem.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

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  10. Salma

    Thats true, it is a bigger problem because people don't realize it. Perhaps if people actually relaized the extent of pornographic material then they would be more weary about what they watch and look at.

    It's actually very scary to think of what drastic effects this can have on people and on society without them even realizing that.

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