Moral degradation and the spread of obscenity in society: Prevention and reform in the Islamic state.

The foundation of society is morality. A nation's economic, political or technological progress is sustainable only when its moral foundation is strong. But when morality collapses, society falls into the abyss of corruption, smuggling, violence against women, drug addiction, and moral degradation. In the current world, this moral degradation is heading towards a bottomless pit, where individuals, families and society are all victims. And the main fuel of this degradation is obscenity, sexual perversion, pornography, anti-marriage culture and the commodification of women.

The Western liberal state system condones this problem as "personal freedom". As a result, families are being destroyed, the marriage rate is decreasing, illicit relationships are increasing, children are being born on the road, and the rate of suicide and mental illness is increasing. Islam does not base this view. Rather, Islam says that there is personal freedom, but it is subject to the well-being of society and the laws of Allah.

The Islamic state system implements a comprehensive and multifaceted plan against this obscenity. First, the moral ideals of the state are clearly established on the basis of the Quran and Sunnah. State law does not give legal legitimacy to any ‘anti-social act’, such as: extramarital affairs, nudity, pornography, homosexuality, etc. These are considered not only personal sins, but also social crimes, because these acts disrupt the very fabric of society.

Allah says in the Quran: “And do not come near adultery; indeed, it is an indecent act and an evil way.” (Surah Bani Israel 17:32). It is noteworthy that Allah did not say do not commit adultery, he said “do not come near”, that is, He also forbade all such acts, behaviors, environments and incitements that can lead to adultery.

According to this principle, the Islamic state system first of all closes the sources of obscenity. Nudity, porn sites, obscene movies and songs, immoral fashion, and the commodification of the female body in society are strictly prohibited. There will be no elements in the media, literature and culture that destroy character.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever calls another to a sin, he will bear a sin equal to his sin, even if the other person follows him.” (Sahih Muslim). Based on this hadith, the Islamic state views obscenity not only as an individual sin, but also as a social infectious disease.

In the next stage, the state takes social reform measures. The family is organized on the basis of Islam. Character formation and morality are established as essential issues in the education system. Children learn from an early age — what is the dignity of the body, why the veil is necessary, how to protect the honor of women. Contact between men and women in society is limited, unnecessary relationships are discouraged. The Islamic state does not romanticize relationships in the name of “love” — but rather protects love through legal marriage.

The hadith states, “The help of Allah is indispensable for three people: the one who fights in the way of Allah; the one who tries to get rid of slavery; and the one who wants to protect his character through marriage.” (Tirmidhi). That is, the Islamic state makes marriage easy to protect character, makes it socially and economically accessible. The path to marriage is made easy by removing dowry, wedding expenses, cultural barriers.

In modern society, where marriage is delayed, character weakens, and immoral relationships are easy to find — Islam takes the opposite direction. The Islamic state encourages marriage and suppresses anti-social relationships. The state prescribes penal codes for those who spread propaganda and obscenity. The Quran mentions the punishment for such criminals: “Those who want obscenity to spread among the believers, for them is a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter.” (Surah An-Nur 24:19)

However, this repressive system is not the only way. The Islamic state develops a sound culture — where there is healthy entertainment, halal pleasures, family ties, purity in literature, and moderation and ideals in social festivals. Human needs exist, but Islam does not direct those needs in a bad direction, but rather provides for their implementation in a good direction.

The responsibility of a citizen is also important here. Opposing obscenity in society, shaping the character of one's family, raising children, protecting the safety and honor of women — all are part of this framework.

An Islamic state succeeds only when its society has shame, veil, marriage, character, sense of responsibility, and spiritual purity. A nation without character, even if it is advanced in knowledge, power, or wealth, cannot succeed in the hereafter or in eternal peace.