Woman Between Islam and Western Society
1. A Survey
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Companions to do so as well. In order to show that
celibacy and sanctity did not go hand in hand, he
went so far as to say “woman and perfume has been
endeared to me,”
12
thus breaking with an
age-old tradition. In ancient times, the notion of a
man of religion having relations with a woman was
so abhorred that, if the Prophet had not spoken out
forcefully on this issue, people would have
continued to revere the tradition of celibacy under
the influence of the past.
Research carried out in modem times has proved
that the concept of celibacy is wholly unnatural and
unrealistic. In comparison, Islamic ideology is
perfectly natural and in accordance with reality. On
this subject the Noble Laureate, Dr. Alexis Carrel,
has this to say:
The sexual glands have other functions than
that of impelling man to the gesture which, in
primitive life, perpetuated the race. They also
intensify all physiological, mental, and
spiritual activities. No eunuch has ever
become a great philosopher, a great scientist,
or even a great criminal. Testicles and ovaries
