An Islamic Approach to the
Prevention of the Spread of AIDS

Because of the wide following and position of leadership in the community, religious leaders and congregations have a vital role to play in educating the public about AIDS and encouraging compassion for those affected by the epidemic.

Infectious and contagious diseases are caused by micro-organisms known as microbes or viruses. Usually, every type of virus has its own special environment where it breeds, thereby ensuring the spread of the infection. Our chief concern here will be the human body as a breeding environment for some infectious diseases.

Infection is the process by which a virus is transmitted into the body and begins to breed inside it.

The entry of a virus into the body does not in itself necessarily lead to infection, because the human body is equipped with an immune system which defends it against such invasion. The immune system functions through various types of body cells. Some cells attack the virus directly and either destroy it or consume it, some produce chemical substances, known as antibodies, which attack the virus, while others playa supporting role by aiding and abetting other cells in their fight against the intruding virus.
Once infection sets in, the situation can develop in one of four possible directions:

1. The body immune system may overcome the virus and destroy it before it takes hold in the body, and the disease symptoms would not, therefore, appear.

2. The virus may at first resist the body's defences and infection would then occur over a certain period of time which can be brief or extended. Eventually, either the body regains its strength and overcomes the infection or the virus entrenches itself in the body, leading eventually to the death of the victim.

3. The body immune system may surround the invading virus and restrict its movement to a defined area of body tissues, thus rendering it ineffective for some time. During this period, the virus remains dormant but awaiting the first opportunity to strike again.

4. A 'truce' may be achieved between the body defences and the virus, which would leave the virus alive but not active enough to cause any real damage to the body. In this case the body becomes what is known as a 'carrier' of the virus and can pass it on to others. Nevertheless, the virus will insidiously launch sporadic attacks in an attempt to weaken the body's auto-immune system, and if it succeeds it would gain the upper hand.

A massai woman sells traditional medicine in Dar es Salaam's central market. In many countries, traditional healers are the first, and sometimes the only, resort when people are sick. They can be valuable allies in the fight against AIDS

It is possible, therefore, that a person can be infected with a virus but not pass it on to others, or he or she could be a carrier of the virus without himself showing any symptoms of the disease. But, once a person contracts the disease, he or she becomes also a carrier, passing it on to others.

AIDS: To give it its full name, AIDS is an acronym of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a collection of symptoms that appear together and it is acquired through infection. Since AIDS results in extensive destruction of the body immune system, the body suffers a serious deficiency in its means of self-defence. This leads to an increasing inability to resist all types of infection, even those which are not normally associated with illness. These opportunist organisims take advantage of the body's loss of immune powers.

AIDS is linked to a micro-organism that can only be observed under an electronic microscope and is known as the AIDS virus, or HIV. It is transmitted from one person to another through body fluids such as sexual fluids (semen and fallopian and vaginal fluids) and blood. It is, therefore, passed on through the exchange of body fluid during sexual intercourse, among both heterosexuals and homosexuals, or through the blood in cases of blood transfusion or via syringes or injection needles.

Spreading the AIDS Virus

The AIDS virus can exist in all parts of the body, but epidemic studies in various parts of the world have shown that it is transmitted by three main rootes:

1. Sexual intercourse among both homosexuals and heterosexuals, which accounts for 90% of cases, especially in view of the lesser role played by other factors. Certain sexual practices, such as promiscuity , sodomy, prostitution and sex with partners affected by venereal diseases, are found to contribute to an increase in the rate of AIDS infection.

2. Blood and its derivatives, whether through blood transfusion or by the use of needles and syringes, infected by the virus, especially among drug addicts. Infection through blood transfusion has been reduced with the application of new methods ensuring that the blood is free from the AIDS virus. However, infection through sharing needles among drug addicts remains widespread.

3. Infection of unborn babies. The use of most recent diagnostic methods 10 identify the virus components, has shown that the rate of infection of unborn babies does not exceed 10%. Infection during birth through contaminated vaginal fluids accounts for about 30% of cases, while in 60% of pregnancies, babies are found not to be infected by their mothers.

There is as yet no evidence to show that the AIDS virus can be transmitted by insects or through food, drink, toilets, swimming pools, seats, common use of crockery or utensils, or through sharing of clothes.Cases have been found in which infection of babies is believed to have taken place through the mother's milk. But although the AIDS virus is found in small percentage in the mother's milk, as well as in other body fluids such as saliva, sweat and urine, infection does not normally take place through the digestive system. However, it has been suggested that the baby's sucking action, and the accompanying pressure on the thin mucous membrane inside the mouth, can lead to infection, especially if the nipples are cracked or bleeding.

Poverty fecilitates risk behaviour and hinders AIDS prevention

Once infection takes place, the AIDS virus spreads inside certain body cells very quickly. It gets absorbed into these cells where it breeds gradually and begins to destroy them.

Infection goes through a number of stages; the most important of which is the dormant or incubation, stage which lasts from several months to several years. During this period, the virus breeds and attacks the body auto-immune system, dilapidating it gradually. A critical point is reached when the infected person is no longer capable of resisting other infections or harmful cells such as cancer. At this point the person would be diagnosed as having AIDS.

The incubation period, from infection to the appearance of the disease's distinctive symptoms, is relatively short (less than two years) in the case of infants and children, but it lasts between seven to ten years in adultsc It can become shorter due to other illnesses such as malnutrition or pregnancy. The average length of the incubation period in Africa is five years, due to malnutrition and the spread of other diseases, such as Malaria, while in America it is ten years, due to higher nutritional and medical standards. The affected person would be potentially infectious all through this period.

Full fledged AIDS is the last stage of infection. It is distinguished by clear symptoms of ill-health, accompanied by diseases due to parasitic infestation, as well as swelling and tumours. These occur as a result of the destruction of the body immune system which normally fights back germs and cancerous cells. It is often the case that once a patient reaches this stage, the disease becomes terminal and the person dies within a period of a few months or, at the very most, two years.

Means of prevention and control:

To date, there is no adequate treatment for AIDS, nor there are any satisfactory immunisation methods, such as vaccine. The only remaining option for the prevention and control of the spread of the AIDS virus is 2 radical change in personal and social habits of sexual behaviour. Considerable progress has been made in controlling the spread of AIDS through blood transfusion and the use of needles. There are certain preventive methods relating to the isolation of patients and the infection of babies through their mothers, which are still shrouded in controversy, and we shall deal with these later in this report.

The most effective method of prevention in today's permissive society is the education and training of the individual to avoid the hazards of indulging in promiscuous sexual relationships, and to promote certain moral principles that would lead to the necessary balance, health and stability in the life of members of society.

Such measures represent the cornerstone of the Islamic approach to the prevention and control of AIDS.

Islam seeks to teach its followers to build their lives and behaviour on faith in God and observation of His laws and guidance. It instils in every individual a constant and positive heeding of God and a profound sense of responsibility for every action and towards all members of society.  It demands commitment towards others.

Numerous Quranic passages stress the close relationship between success, health and prosperity in this life, as well as in the hereafter, and devotion to God and obedience to His teachings. The Quran says: "When My guidance is revealed to you (mankind), he that follows it shall neither err nor suffer; but he that rejects My warning shall live a miserable life, and We shall bring him before Us blind on the Day of Judgement. He will say, 'Lord, why have You brought me here blind when I used to see?' God will answer, 'Just as Our revelations were declared to you and you forgot them, so on this day you are yourself forgotten.' "(Ta- Ha: 123- 126)

It also says: "He that feared to stand before his Lord and controlled his desires shall have his home in Paradise." (an-Nazi'aat: 40 -41 )

The Quran has on several occasions warned against temptation and following one's banal desires as in al-Qasus: 50, Mohammed: 14 and 16.

Faith in God and religious consciousness can act as a safeguard against wrong doing and immoral behaviour.

The Prophet Mohammad, God's peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said: "A person would be devoid of faith when he, or she, is committing an unlawful sexual act; and a person is devoid of faith when he, or she, is drinking."

Even in the face of the strongest temptation, a Muslim is urged to resist, hold back as much as possible, and seek God's succour to avoid wrong- doing. The Quran says: "Whenever those who fear God are tempted by Satan, they remember and then they see the light. "(al-A'araf: 201 )

The Quran refers to many of the highest and most commendable examples of strength of character and will, citing several Prophets, and other individuals, who have shown ability to resist temptation of the flesh and preserve their moral integrity.

Islamic teachings effective in Protection against AIDS:

It is possible to identify three measures recommended by Islam, as part of its moral code, which are essential for the prevention of the spread of the AIDS virus. These are: marriage, proscription of sexual promiscuity, and de- terrence.

1. Marriage:

This is a positive and effective means to protect individuals, especially young people, from indulging in illicit sexual activity that could lead to infection with the AIDS virus. The teachings of prophet Mohammad urge Muslims to make marriage affordable and easy for all members of society. He said: "When a man comes to you seeking marriage, and you are happy with his religious and moral integrity and honesty, give him your daughter; otherwise immorality and corruption would spread among you all."

2. Proscribing promiscuity:

This is achieved through the following measures:

a) Urging men and women to control their sexual urge and avoid the lewd gaze which could rouse sexual desires and lead to unlawful sexual contact. God says in the Quran: "Tell the believing men and women to lower their gaze, and protect their chastity, for that is bound to render them purer. God is aware of all that they do."(an-Noor: 30)

b) Advising Muslim women to dress modestly in public. God instructs Mohammad to tell believing women: "Not to show their adornments, except those that are ordinarily outward, and to cover their bosoms with their veils."(an-Noor: 31)

They are also urged: "Not to walk tantalisingly, with the intention of revealing their hidden beauty."(an-Noor: 31 ). Muslim women are taught to wear loose, plain and non-transparent clothes that preserve and enhance their dignity and modesty.

c) Discouraging men and women who are not barred from marrying each other from being together on their own in private, in order to avoid the temptation of sexual attraction.

d) Fighting permissiveness and loose social mingling between the sexes outside the inner family circle.

e) Urging boys and girls as they come of age not to invade the privacy of their elders and peers without their permission. God says in the Quran: "Believers, do not enter the dwellings of others until you announce your presence and have greeted those inside them."(an-Noor: 27)

f) Forbidding all provocative activities, such as pornography, provocative singing, dancing, music and films, that tantalise and arouse sensual desires. God says in the Quran: "Some people indulge in frivolous activity, so that they may, in their ignorance, lead others away from the path of God and hold it up in ridicule. These will receive a shaming punishment."(Luqman: 6)

g) Prohibition of the use and trading of all kinds of intoxicants that affect the mind. Prophet Mohammad said: "Alcohol is the mother of all evil. Whoever drinks alcohol is bound to neglect prayers and indecently covet his mother and aunt." God says in the Quran: "Believers, wine, games of chance, idols and divining arrows are all abominations promoted by the devil. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. Through drinking and gambling, Satan seeks to stir up enmity and hatred among you and turn you away from worshipping God and observing the prayers. Would you not abstain from them?"(al-Mae'dah: 90-91)

3. Effective deterrence:

When education and upbringing fail and other preventive methods prove ineffective in stamping out permissive behaviour in society, resort must then be made to punishment, as a deterrence to others.

However, Islamic punishments must be prescribed under very stringent conditions of proof. In the case of illicit sexual acts, for example, punishment cannot be meted out without either a full admission by the accused, or the unanimous testimony of four eye witnesses who must agree on every detail of the misdemeanour .

Furthermore, offenders and witnesses are discouraged, as far as possible, from admitting or testifying to the offence or reporting it.. Prophet Mohammed is reported to have said to one such witness: "Would it not have been better for you to have covered them (the offending couple) with your robe?". He also said: "I am surprised at those for whom God conceals their misdemeanors but they go and publicise them."

God describes good believers in the Quran as those who: "Do not engage in illicit sexual relations. Those who do shall on the Day of Judgement receive compounded punishment which they shall suffer in humiliation for ever." (al-Furqan: 68- 69)

According to the Quran, illicit sexual acts are punishable by one hundred lashes for offenders. It says: "Each woman or man who engages in illicit sexual acts shall be given a hundred lashes. Let no pity for them dissuade you from obeying God's commands, if you truly believe in God and the Last Day; and let their punishment be witnessed by a crowd of believers." (An-Noor: 2). If an affender is married, capital punishment is consid- ered.

Penalty for Sodomy and Homosexual Acts :

These practices have been severely condemned in the Quran. God says: "When our judgement came to pass we turned it (the city of Sodom) upside down and showered it with a torrent of claystones bear- ing the tokens of your Lord."(Hud: 82-83)

Narcotic drug users receive the same punishment as alcohol drinkers, while drug dealers are treated as highwaymen for punishment, because they too seek to spread corruption.

The participants in this Seminar recommended that governments in Muslim countries should purify their moral climate (education, media, social-norms) and ensure that Islamic penal laws are incorporated in the laws of their countries. They also urged that marriage should be made easy and affordable for all, based on the principle: Prevention is better than cure.