Sociology

Religion is among the main factors that shape human sexuality. Every religion has codes that stipulate how issues of sexuality are to be handled. These beliefs and practices shape human sexuality in as long as one is adhering to the religion. There are permissible practices and others that are classified as perversion and out of order in a particular society. Islam as the second largest world religion, after Christianity, has established beliefs and practices pertaining sexual behaviors (Paros, 2010). This paper discusses on the beliefs and practices in the Islamic faiths that are related to sexual behaviors. The discussion will specifically look into the manner in which Muslims ought to handle sexuality in addition to the stand of the Islamic faith regarding controversial issues such as same sex marriage and contraceptives.

Sexuality and marriage
Islam values the marriage (nikah) institution which brings a man and a woman in union (Yusuf, 2005, p 3). It is only within this institution that sex is allowed and still there are strong beliefs and practices that have to be adhered to in this institution. It is important to recognize that Islam values sex as a recreational purpose, for strengthening the bonds between couple (Paros, 2010, para 1). A marriage is upheld as a place where love should emanate from and sexual relationship reinforces such love. While done within the lawful boundaries of marriage, sexual relationship in Islam is considered divine. The Islamic law gives married couple the right to sexual gratification failure to which divorce may result (Global Oneness, 2010).

Though viewed by many as a taboo, sexuality issues in Islam are recorded to have been handled with boldness. It is only that shyness is mistaken for embracement of taboo in sexual matters. According to Islam Awareness (2010, para 2), shyness is part of faith. Nevertheless, this shyness was not a hindrance to a married couple from enquiring on matters related to sexuality. Islam Awareness says that a Muslim couple would consult the prophet on sexual affairs as among the most private issues. Despite this acknowledgement, one cannot ignore the fact that there are practices that portray elements of taboo. For instance, Islamic women are said to put on clothing that covers the whole body as an attempt to hide their sexual organs in order to prevent arousing men sexually (Kasem, 2005).

Since sex is only allowed within the marriage institution, sex outside marriage is highly condemned and carries dire consequences. This also includes premarital sex. Adultery therefore carries death sentence through stoning. Premarital sex however carries rather a light punishment of one hundred lashes to both the woman and the man involved (Kasem, 2005). It is therefore clear that sex outside marriage is a grave sin in the Islamic faith.

There are certain periods both in the Islamic calendar and the biological time periods when sexual contact between a wife and a husband are restricted. For instance, sexual intimacy is not allowed during the month of Ramadan (at least according to a section of Muslims). Others however uphold that the issue of whether to be involved in sexual act during fasting periods should be discussed between the husband and the wife. A more stringent sexual rule is that there should be no sexual relation when a woman is experiencing her menses although this does not prohibit the husband from sharing the same bed with her wife with practices such as fondling (Global Oneness, 2010).

To uphold purity and chastity in sexual relationships, Islamic laws strongly advocates the practice of taking a cleansing bath. It is recommended in cases of sexual dysfunction and infidelity (Kasem, 2005).

Islam and controversial sexuality matters
Birth control is acknowledged in the Islam faith although it has several restrictions. The appraised birth control method is the coitus interreptus method generally known as withdrawal method. It however raises some controversy with Muhammad regarding it as a minor infanticide (Global Oneness, 2010). In addition, it is also suggested that the man should first seek the consent of the woman. Broadly, contraceptives are not preferred among the Muslims except in extraordinary situations.

On the issue of same sex marriage, there lies a severe punishment to any Muslim who gets involved in homosexuality. There is no discrimination of the gender involved in this matter and therefore if the sentence is death or whipping, one must be punished accordingly. It is regarded as sexual perversion that cannot be tolerated by any means. Under sexual perversion, the habit of masturbation is also condemned under Islamic law, and rather an option of marrying and fasting is given to avoid falling into fornication. Only in extreme cases is masturbation allowed such as if the individual was trying to avoid adultery or fornication. As an issue in sexuality and as a controversial issue across the society, abortion is not allowed though there are differing views with early Islamic scholars allowing it if the fetus is not more than 120 days old (Paros, 2010).

Conclusion
The above illustrations of Islam beliefs and practices on issues related to sexual behavior demonstrate rich religious morals that regard sexual purity highly. In addition, the beliefs are exemplary in exploring human sexuality from a religious and social-cultural dimension.