World Aids Day..

 

 

Today marks World Aids Day....

Deaths are down, however battling the stigma is the main obstacle to beating HIV once and for all..
What is AIDS?

The AIDS acronym stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person has developed AIDS when they are affected by certain infections and cancers because their body's defences are weakened.
Statistics released by the World Health Organisation from time to time show Aids cases are rising in many parts of the world. Aids victims are usually homosexuals and prostitutes. The disease is a mere byproduct of the related menaces of homosexuality, sodomy and prostitution.

There is an Islamic teaching in the Holy Qur’an discouraging adultery, which can be a predisposing factor for HIV transmission.
“Do not come near to adultery. For it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils” (Holy Qur’an 17:32).”

More than 1,400 years ago, the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam), by the infinite wisdom and mercy of Allah, had already admonished mankind of the consequences and dangers of promiscuous sexual relationships:

“Whenever sexual permissiveness spreads among the people until it becomes declared, infections and killer diseases, as well as illnesses not previously found in their ancestors will also spread among them.” (Ibn Maja, al-Bazzar and al-Baihaqi)
This means that people should not indulge in activities that stimulate their sexual desires, which could then lead them to commit adultery. Adultery is a shameful behaviour that may increase risk of HIV infection.
In this context, the Jihad on AIDS is about each person’s individual struggle to control their own personal behaviour for the welfare of themselves and their families, as well as each community’s struggle to address the broader context of preventing HIV transmission and to provide care and support to those coping with HIV infection. All Muslims were advised to participate in this Jihad Nafs by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). He called it the biggest Jihad because it is not easy for anyone to control the tempting desires of his or her soul. Implementation of the first four components of the Islamic approach to HIV/AIDS above is likely to have a limited impact at the community level until a significant proportion of individuals participate in this Jihad.

Hadith: Some troops came back from an expedition and went to see the Messenger of Allah 
Sallallahu alayhi wa-salaam. He said: “You have come for the best, from the smaller Jihad (al-jihad al-asghar) to the greater Jihad (al-jihad al-akbar)”. Someone said, “What is the greater jihad?” “The servant’s struggle against his lust” (Mujahadat al-abdi hawah). Al-Bayhaqi narrated it in al-Zuhd al-Kabir (Haydar ed. p. 165 #373 & p. 198 #374)

The enemy in this Jihad is shaitan (satan) and Allah provides guidance on how to handle this enemy.
Holy Qur’an. Al-A’araf – 7:200-206:
If a suggestion from Satan Assail your (mind), seek refuge with Allah: For He hears and knows (All things). Those who fear Allah, When a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allah to remembrance, when lo! They see (aright)! But their brethren (the evil ones) Plunge them deeper into error, and never relax (their efforts). If you bring them not a revelation, they say: “Why have you not got it together”? Say: “I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: This is (nothing but) Lights from your Lord, and guidance, and Mercy, for any who have faith.” When the Qur’an is read, Listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: That you may receive Mercy. And do you (O reader!) Bring your Lord to remembrance in your (very) soul, with humility and remember without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not you of those who are unheedful. Those who are near to your Lord disdain not to worship Him: They glorify Him and prostrate before Him.

The best way to keep yourself safe is to fight your nafs and stay away from sin...