However, “By attributing something filthy to them he was showing how we can reduce our desires for them.” ..is the kind of thing I was referring to. Attributing something filthy to the act is understandable, but not to the person engaging in the act, especially more so in sensitive circumstances. A person has many faces, many obstacles, many shortcomings too. But like I said.

Peace.

I think all of you are taking the Shaykhs words out of context.

Lets not make it more than what it is.

It was an example he used in order to give an example of how we can abstain from pornography, prosititution etc. By attributing something filthy to them he was showing how we can reduce our desires for them.

As Belal stated, we were talking about Patience and Gratitude.
There was a section which talked about staying away from these desires, and how to have patience to stay away from them. The Shaykh said this example amongst others that will reduce desires. Others included putting a sticker in your care that says Fear Allah and whenever you are going to gaze at something outside the window then it reminds you about Allah. These are just examples, the shaykh I am sure was not trying to create any sort of statement.

W’Allahu Alim

Wassalamualaikum

It’s grossly disporportionate to equate prostitutes/prostitution to pornography as you have indicated the sheikh was trying to allude to.

It is easy to say things that help us combat the ‘evil’ within ourselves and around us. But most often that not, I find the measures we take to do this are unjust towards a person, a people, or even a nation. It’s like wiping our garments clean while splashing filth on the bystander. We’re heavily engrossed as Muslims in cleaning up our own acts, but are completely disillusioned and misinformed about the acts of others and how it impacts us all on a global scale..or even as a social concern. We need to take the initiative to enlighten ourselves with regards to global oppression, (not just of people’s freedoms, but the choices they are granted), then maybe our statements will carry the weight of empathy towards others.

As far as prostitution is concerned, no woman dreams of violating her body and soul, health and dignity. Pornography on the other hand is not a fit comparison as these women AND men glorify sexuality and are willing victims of hedonism. That is not the case as far as prostitution is concerned. I also wonder why Men are given so much leeway whenever pornography or even prostitution are mentioned. There’s always a greater emphasis on the female participant. I’m in no way suprised that this talk was being delivered to ‘men’.

Allah swt knows best.

Wasalam

desperate circumstances lead to desperate measures. in this century (er… last one, too) legalizing prostitution has been an ongoing debate in the name of “boosting the economy”. today, sex trafficking is getting to be a VERY serious issue and one that is putting the lives of many women and young girls in danger. this is a reality that very few are aware of… and automatically look like they’re “sympathizers” for bringing it up and not focusing on the nature of the sin itself. allahua’lam.

i think, however, Muslims need to look beyond the whole “judgment” thing. i doubt what’s been accounted above (the economic aspect) has much to do with the shaykh’s comment AS A WHOLE. we’re in a society where everything is about sensual pleasure. there are bars and brothel houses galore. playboy models are pop stars, thus condoning pornography…astaghferAllah. i honestly think that the shaykh was addressing the MEN more so than these women – but khayr, defensiveness is the default of human emotions so long as there is a demand and desire for something, supply will always exist. diminish the service by cutting off the want of it – so the underlying message here, in my opinion, is that men need to exert more self-control and stay away from that which will not only lead them to sin, but make them a player in supporting the existence of something illegal, immoral, and degrading. maybe putting it in the context that the shaykh did makes a man think twice about going near anything like it, Allahua’lam.

What was really insightful to me was one of the twitter replies I got from Yusuf (@yclack) saying, “@khanb1 – excellent tip! Now aren’t we in this life as travelers? Food for thought… ”

@ Basil
Thanks for the tip. I realized that only after I save the pic to JPG. When you’re using MS Paint and you save, there’s no going back!