By Aamir Wani

In today's world, what was once considered a moral sin has now become a social trend. Relationships before marriage - emotional or physical - are increasingly being normalised, praised, and even promoted as symbols of confidence and freedom. Yet beneath this glittering surface lies a painful reality: our society is slowly drifting away from the divine values that once gave it strength, purity, and direction.

Allah has laid down clear and perfect boundaries for human life. The relationship between a man and a woman is meant to flourish only within the sacred bond of marriage - a bond built upon respect, responsibility, and the blessings of Allah. Any emotional or physical connection outside this bond not only disobeys divine law but also leads to emotional chaos, guilt, and spiritual emptiness. What we are seeing today is not progress - it is moral decay disguised as modernity.

It is deeply worrying to witness young girls, who are instructed by the Qur'an to guard their chastity and honour, being misled by this cultural shift. The true beauty of a woman lies in modesty, in preserving her soul, emotions, and body for the man whom Allah has written as her husband. When this sanctity is shared before marriage, she unknowingly loses a part of her dignity - and the very essence that makes her unique and precious.

But this crisis is not limited to one gender. Young boys too have fallen victim to this culture of distraction and moral confusion. Instead of channelling their energy towards building careers, learning skills, or preparing to lead families, many are wasting their youth chasing temporary emotions and sinful desires. This has crippled their innovative minds and weakened their will to strive for excellence. A generation once known for courage and hard work is now sinking into laziness, emotional dependency, and spiritual emptiness.

Such a path only leads to destruction - both in this world and in the Hereafter. The youth who indulge in these acts lose focus, discipline, and divine blessings. A life built on sin can never bring peace, and a mind distracted by desires can never achieve greatness.

When we adopt such un-Islamic cultures, we witness drastic consequences in our society. People drift away from the religious path, marriages lose their purity, and divorces become increasingly common. Jealousy, mistrust, and emotional instability now dominate many homes. What was (marriage) meant to bring peace and companionship has turned into conflict, regret, and moral depletion.

MENAFN17102025000215011059ID1110209556