The Quran about lechery

In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful

Relationships between man and woman are the most exciting topic among the people. Thousands of books, poems and songs are dedicated to it. The whole film industry is built on this. The problem of relationships between man and woman bothers people since immemorial times. What is the problem? It is in the assessment scale of behaviour.

Same behaviour of men and women are valued in different ways. Men feel less pressure of condemning than women. Is it correct?

In the Quran, the regulation of sexual relations of men and women are described using the word, the root of which is the term “safaha” – pour, spill, mess reputation. From this meaning, expression of “lechery” is created. Based on the original meaning, the person’s actions do damage to his or her reputation. Such behaviour of a man is estimated by Lord:

This day you are allowed: all good foods, the food of those who were given the Prescription is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them, and women unapproachable without the covenant from among the believers and women unapproachable without the covenant from among those who were given the Prescription before you, when you have given them their due compensation, being unapproachable without the covenant, not depraved and not taking lovers. (5:5)

This passage clearly shows an example of what believers should and should not do. On the basis of this passage, the full meaning of not-lechery is – being unapproachable and not taking lovers. The same applies to women:

One of you belongs to one another. So enter into an intimate life with them with the permission of their owner and give to the ones, inaccessible without the covenant, their due compensation, if you are not depraved and not taking secret lovers, being inaccessible without the covenant. (4:25)

What is the difference between fornication (zina) and lechery (safaha)?

Fornication involves three relationships:

1) Sex between a man and a married woman,

2) Same-sex relationships,

3) Incest.

Fornication is excessiveness, a great sin.

Lechery – mainly concerns sex between a man and unmarried woman.

Lechery is an absence of contract, non-compliance with the rules prescribed by God. Thus, if a man and a woman like each other, they are ready for the intima. It results in that the person often changes partners. However, intima requires prior agreement. But this is not enough. If a man and a woman broke up, the woman must compulsorily bear three menstrual periods before she will be allowed to have sex with another man. But the most important thing is that both man and woman must be faithful.

Of course, lechery is not a sin as excessiveness (zina), but still is condemned by God. We clearly see that the Quran shows condemned actions on the degrees of severity that will be all put on the scales on the Day of Debt. After all, perhaps, the presence of lechery among other bad deeds might outweigh the scales towards the loss.