How to avoid Zina Insha Allah

Here, we are going to discuss Causes and Prevention of Zina 

Fornication and adultery are forbidden and classified as major and destructive sins (Al kaba’ir). 

“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a great sin, and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him).” [Quran, 17: 32]

Islam has even forbidden everything that could lead to these sins, 

• such as immoral exchange of looks between the two sexes, 

• depraved words, 

• seductive moves, a man and 

• a woman being in seclusion in a room, and 

• Mixing with opposite gender 

• anything else which could lead to this awful sin.

Preventions of falling into Zinaa:

1. Practicing Chastity 

Chastity in Islam is defined as:

“Controlling oneself from forbidden desires due to the love of Allah The Almighty in response to His command, as well as for seeking His reward in return.”

Islam has always been keen to establish chastity in the Muslim community and has thus legislated many laws that reduce the strong impact of these desires and control them; it has also encouraged remaining on the straight path and warned against transgressing the defined boundaries by following these base desires.

2. Lowering one's gaze

Avoid looking at women, whether in the streets or through devices (i.e. internet etc)

Surah An-Noor ( The Light ) 30-31

"Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do." 

"And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof..." 

3. Refraining from looking at people’s ‘awrahs, which includes the beauty of a non-mahram woman.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/414):

Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, has enjoined us in His Book to lower the gaze, which is of two types: refraining from looking at ‘awrahs and refraining from looking at the site of desire. 

4) Not attending programmes (where free-mixing takes place) for any reason

5)  Setting a reasonable and not expensive dowry

This will encourage the youth to get marry. 

6) The woman should not leave her house except, for a need and not leave without a Mahram

Abu Hurairah r.a. reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

"It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the last day to make a journey of one day and night unless she is accompanied by a mahram (husband or male relative whom she is prohibited to marry)."

7) Women should not be alone with a driver

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)

It is not permissible for a woman to travel with a driver who is not her mahram when there is no one else with them, because this comes under the ruling on khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex). 

It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man should be alone with a (non-mahram) woman unless her mahram is also present.”

 (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5233; Muslim, 1341). 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man should ever be alone with a non-mahram woman because the Shaytaan will be the third one present.”

But if there is one or more other men present, or one or more other women, then there is nothing wrong with that, because there is nothing dubious in this case, since there is no khulwah when there are three or more people present.

8) Men should not speak to non-Mahram women If;

a) It is with the intention of lust.

b) The speaking does leads either one of them to commit a sin. 

9) Being cautious of the ‘’means’’ that leads towards Zinaa

10) Constant remembrance of the consequences and punishment of Zinaa

11)  Being of upright and moral character (adopting and spreading such characteristics)

12) Obeying Allaah and his messenger. And this is through following the commandments and avoiding the proscriptions. 

Allaah says:

These are the limits [set by] Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be admitted by Him to gardens [in Paradise] under which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits – He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment. (Surah Nisaa Verse 13-14)

13) Sitting with the righteous/pious

14) Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) and Maintaining the recitation of the Qur’aan

15) Performing the prayers in congregation in the Masjid

Allaah says:

Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing

 (Surah ‘Ankaboot Verse 45)

16) Having Gheerah (protective jealousy) over ones Mahaarim

17) Observing lot of fast

18) Immersing oneself away from the Dunya and yearning for the Aakhirah

19) Reading beneficial books and articles that warn about Zinaa

20) Seperating beds for children

The prophet SAW said:

“Command your children to make salah when they become seven years old, and (lightly) beat them for it (salah) when they become ten years old, and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.”

(Abu Dawud)