Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The Qur’an, describes the faithful servants acceptable to Allah as “And they preserve their chastity.”[1] Chastity is staying away from the forbidden, avoiding unlawful and indecent words and behaviours, remaining within the bounds of modesty and decency, and living a life committed to moral values. Great Islamic scholars have defined chastity as the virtue obtained by being moderate in eating, drinking and sexual desires, by suppressing excessive urges and subordinating them to the command of religion and reason. Our religion of Islam, being a religion of balance, commands its believers to restrain their soul’s desires and feelings. It condemns any form of excess.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In the religion of Islam, which was revealed for the happiness and welfare of humanity, both women and men have equal responsibility in the preservation of chastity. Allah (swt) says: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. This is purer for them. Allah is fully aware of all they do.”[2]

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a believer who has truly believed in Allah, His Messenger, and the Day of Judgment is undoubtedly their avoidance of indecency. In the social interactions that are an inevitable necessity of civilised life, Muslim women and men certainly do not forsake courtesy. However, they also maintain their seriousness. In our religion, forming a halal relationship and closeness with our spouses, who are considered private, is encouraged.

Regarding this matter, Allah (swt) commands, “And whoever seeks beyond that (engages with others outside of their spouse), these are the transgressors.”[3] thereby ordering us to maintain a respectable distance with those outside this bond.  

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Just as we are commanded to protect our own chastity and honour, we must also act with the awareness that the honour and dignity of our brothers and sisters are sacred. Allah (swt) mentions, “Those who accuse chaste, unaware believing women of adultery are truly cursed in this world and the Hereafter. On the day when their tongues, hands, and feet will testify against them about the sins they have committed, there will be a severe punishment for them.”[4] This divine warning informs us that slandering honest and honourable people is a major sin. All Muslims on earth are obligated to be sensitive about the chastity and honour of individuals and to regard human dignity as sacred. 

Dear Jama’ah!

When raising our future generations, we must teach our children the example of Prophet Yusuf (as) as conveyed by Allah (swt) concerning chastity. Yusuf (as) knew how to disconnect himself from the temptation of sin he was confronted with. Concerned, he prayed to Allah with the words, “O my Lord! I prefer the prison to what these women invite me to. If You do not ward off their cunning from me, I might incline towards them and become of the ignorant.”[5]

He had chosen to enter prison to avoid fitna (temptation) and sin, thus once again proving the strength of his will by resisting sin and standing firm as a pillar of chastity. May Allah (swt) make us like Yusuf (as), preserving our chastity.

Let us conclude our khutba with a dua from our Prophet Muhammad (saw): “O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and wealth.”[6] Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:5

[2] Surah An-Nur, 24:30

[3] Surah Al-Ma’arij, 70:31

[4] Surah An-Nur, 24: 23-24

[5] Surah Yusuf, 12:33

[6] Müslim, Zikir, 72

Khutba – Preservation of Chastity