Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Burhan!

 

I would like to know whats the Islamic view on Sex-Education? Like, is it (Sex-Education) permissible? at what age should it be given? Whose responsibility is to teach (to avoid leading to sexual sins or crimes) the youngsters? How about the mature or just married people, if they have some problems or doubts, where they are supposed to go for counselling? your immediete answers with some solid references will be appreciated.

Jazakallah khair

 

Your Brother in Islam

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Sex education

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Your Question: I would like to know whats the Islamic view on Sex-Education? Like, is it (Sex-Education) permissible?

If by ‘sex-education’ one means the knowledge of how to avoid illegal sexual intercourse, its evil consequences on oneself and the society at large in this world, or its punishment in the Hereafter, etc., then indeed such good caution and advice on ‘sex-education’ would not only be permissible in Islam, but absolutely encouraged.

 

Your Question: at what age should it be given? Whose responsibility is to teach (to avoid leading to sexual sins or crimes) the youngsters?

The caution of the evil effects of illegal sexual intercourse is best taught by the parents and/or guardians of the child when their children are on the threshold of puberty…and it would be prudent of the guardians and caretakers of the children to constantly remind them of its evil and immorality and sin well into the age of adulthood.

 

Your Question: How about the mature or just married people, if they have some problems or doubts, where they are supposed to go for counselling?

If mature or married people have some problems or doubts regarding the permissibility or impermissibility of a particular sexual nature or situation or condition, and wish guidance on it in light of the Quran and the Sunnah….they could consult a good pious knowledgeable scholar in the deen who would be best able to guide them towards the permissible, and caution them from indulging in the impermissible. 

 

But beloved brother, if by ‘sex-education’ one takes on the meaning which is propagated by the educated but ignorant, freedom loving, ungodly and immoral people today…whereby the art of how-best-to-indulge-in-immoral-illegal-sexual intercourse by practicing the so-called methods of ‘safe-sex’, or how best to indulge in illegal sexual intercourse and save oneself from pregnancy, or sexually transmitted diseases, etc…….if this is what is meant by ‘sex-education’, then it would be akin to teaching youngsters how best to indulge in the evils of stealing and cheating and killing without being caught or without comings in harm’s way!!!!  Such education which instills the values in our children of how to commit a crime and how best to get away with it, is without an iota of a doubt, an evil education indeed!

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan