| Answer: The basic reason for this
prohibition is that Islam lays its social structure on the basis of a permanent
relationship between a man and a woman in the form of a family. This
relationship comes into existence in the form of an everlasting marriage bond.
Consequently, to preserve this marital relationship, it forbids all forms of
temporary associations between a man and a woman. Premarital sex or sex out of
wedlock does not allow a family to come into being. It is because of this that
sex before marriage has been prohibited.
However, you might need to communicate
to your friend the reason why Islam stresses on the institution of family. For
unless he understands this reason, he might not grasp fully the real reason of
prohibition of sex out of wedlock. So, a brief explanation:
You see a person born in this world
cannot traverse its rugged terrain all by himself. Throughout his lifetime, has
to remain dependent on a number of relationships, and without these he cannot
embark on this tempestuous voyage. In the prime of his youth, he might consider
himself to be the king of the world but during his childhood and old age he
needs the love and affection of the near ones which must not cease with time. In
both these periods of life, he must be looked after by those who have warmth and
compassion for him. In other words, his life demands relationships which should
be permanent in nature so that his parents, children, brothers and sisters --
all can play their role in his life. Only the institution of family can ensure
him these privileges. Without this institution, one may have an enjoyable youth
but it is very likely that his childhood and old age will be spent in misery.
Similarly, it is evident that in
contrast with almost all the animal forms, the relationship once formed between
a man and woman has a permanent impression in human memory. In all animals, the
relationship between a male and female species does not leave a lasting imprint
in their minds. The male species departs from the female soon after mating,
while the female, once she has brought up her young, resigns them to the whole
world to start the cycle all over again. The affection it has for its young and
the fondness for the male who fathers them is only temporary. With the passage
of time, this attachment is obliterated from her mind. However, in case of human
beings, this attachment is so strong that it is even felt at the level of grand
and great grand parents. Reason demands that just as there is a permanent base
in human memory regarding these relationships, the actual relationships also be
permanent. |