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Islamic AIDS prevention scheme AIDS
prevention: An Islamic
approach
The danger of transplanting
culturally mismatched AIDS prevention programs:
Prof. Malk Badri
One feels really dishearted to see Arab and Muslim health
practitioners unenlighteningly subscribing to the Western
model of AIDS prevention bye dressily repeating the 'gospel'
of advising their Muslim nationals to use condoms, avoid sex
with 'high risk groups', avoid using contaminated needles and
syringes, and be faithful to one 'partner' one Arab television
station aired a program in which an old doctor spoke about the
dangers of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. He
uncritically parroted the prevention methods o the Western
Danish model and showed the viewers a condom which he later
inflated like a long balloon. The program drew savage a acks
and sarcasm. It obviously did not serve its purpose because it
s out of cultural tune! For prevention to attain any real
success, it must develop from Islami roots. There are a number
of cogent reasons for this claim. I will settle my arguments
in the following discussions: a. The Islamic conception of
faith in Cod: The cornerstone of Islamic AIDS prevention: b.
The spiritual benefit of prayer: c. Fasting boosts the will to
change: d. Promotion of AIDS prevention through hajj and
'umrah: e. The Muslim youth: The spearhead of Islamic
revivalism: 1. The Islamic conception of retribution: 3. Islam
as a way of life guards against AIDS a. Islam's balanced
attitude to sex shields society from retaliatory sexual
revolutions: b. Islam strictly prohibits homosexuality;
adultery; anal intercourse and vaginal sex during
menstruation: c. Islam strictly prohibits the intake of
alcohol and drugs d. The Islamic tradition of male
circumcision: A helpful practice against AIDS and other STDs:
e. The benefits of ghusl al-janaba : A third, beneficial
Islamic teaching related to washing and cleanli- ness is the
Qur'anic injunction of ghusl al-janaba, or the thorou&h
washing of the genitals and the whole body after sexual
intercourse. This is a compulsory command without which a
Muslim cannbt pray, read the Holy Qur'an, or even stay in the
Mosque. In the famoushadith authenticated by Ahmad ibn Hanbal,
Muslim and al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was quoted
to have Commanded that the Muslim couple should perform the
washing of ghusl not only after actual sexual intercourse but
even if their unclothed genitals touch in an act of
copulation. Many Muslim couples take Ihis compulsory shower
and brisk genital-washing immediately after copulation, and
before retiring. It makes them feel spiritually cleaner. Thus,
the young sexually active practising Muslim, who usually ,
copulates about 3 to 5 times per week, cannot go without this
obl!galory washing. It is of interest to note that in general,
even non-practising promiscuous Muslims who do not say their
prayers still regularly perform this ghusl practice, even
after fornication! They feel 'dirty' and susceptible to evil
if they do not wash. If one feels too lazy to perform ghusl
one is advised by a Prophetic teaching quoted by the Prophet's
wife 'A'ishah,and authenticated by al-Bukhari, to wash one's
genitals thoroughly even if sexual intercourse is to be
resumed. As is known, the HIV is aivery weak virus, and such
meticulous washing is sure to be of help. Modern researchers
in the field of sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., M. Hart,
1971) have attested to the value of washing the genitals after
inter- course as a simple practice that protects against
sexually transmitted diseases. A final point that I wish to
document in this sectioh is that of ; izalat al-atha, or
literally, the removal of harmful substances from the body or
on it. It has been advised by some leading Muslim jurists that
couples should urinate after sexual intercourse and before
taking their janaba shower. Evacuating the bladder is not only
a removal of a harmful substance but an essential practice
before ghusl and ablution, since urination nullifies ablution
and a Muslim needs to perform ablution again if he wishes to
pray, read the Holy Qur'an or go to bed in a spiritually clean
condition. This teaching is also verified by modern research
Qn sexually transmitted diseases. It was found to be
particularly helpflJl to men. Urine is acidic and as such,
urination after coitus was disfovered to be helpful in killing
or washing away infectious microbes. Modern researchers advise
men not only to urinate after coitus, but even to wash the
glans of the penis with urine! (S. Rathus, 1983). These are
some of the important Islamic conception~ and practices which
I believe can be of help in designing an Islan1lically
oriented form of AIDS prevention. Some scholars may think of
other items, or reformat what I have expounded in ways more
pertinent to different Islamic countries. However, whatever
the form, any Islamic AIDS prevention scheme may stimulate
resistance because of the implicit clash between background,
cultural and religions aspects. Other obstacles may arise as a
result of internal problems in various Muslim countries.
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