Zinᾱ And Its Effects On The Nigerian Society: A Critical Analysis From The Islamic Point Of View

Abstract

A large number of young and old are involved in pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relations.  Many prefer to have as many sexual partners as possible before making a choice of whom to marry.  Some enjoy sexual relation with the chosen sexual partner than the original husband or wife.  This prompts the researcher to examines Zinā (adultery and fornication), in relation with the present situation in Nigeria. This paper therefore, intends to have a look at Zina and its negative effects in our society. The paper used secondary data from monographs, manuscripts, books, journals, internet, magazinesas well as the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith. The paper revealed that such as sexual deprivation, prior waywardness, the negative effects of globalization and the likes, are the key factors responsible for Zina. Also, the negative consequences of Zina identified by the paper include contact with venereal diseases, subjection to disgrace and neglect, and bad precedence to children. It was also evident that Islam teaches that when women are sexually attended to and are given due financial care, it might redeem them from falling victims of illicit sexual desire. The paper recommends that Zina should be abolished and those who engage in the ‘business’ should be encouraged to marry. And that poverty eradication programmes should be redesigned to cater for the less privileged people in the society in order to bail them out from committing all kinds of social vices such as Zina and theft.