Sexuality as God’s Design of Creation

Introduction

In this subchapter, you will be introduced to human development and sexuality according to God’s plan in relation to the creation story in the Qur’an. You will discuss the complementary nature of men and women, and explain concepts in human life and sexuality such as dignity of human sexuality and hygiene. You will also discuss the importance of self-respect in terms of, valuing one’s body, observing personal hygiene, protecting self from communicable diseases and abstinence from sex. You will also discuss ways in which Africans promoted human dignity.

Do you know that mankind was created by God for a purpose? What do you think this purpose is? Look at your gender, how are you different from the opposite sex? Why do you think God created you that way? Do you appreciate yourself as a boy or girl? Why or why not?

Human development

You already know that God created human beings in such a way that they grow and develop from one stage to another. This is to serve a particular purpose. You will understand this further as you go on with the learning.

Activity 1.35 Discussing human development and sexuality

In groups,

1. With reference to the Qur’an Surat Al-baqarah (section 4) 2:30-39: 3:59. 7 11-25, narrate to one another the creation story of Adam and Hawa
2. Why do you think God created them man and woman? 3
3. Discuss what you think would have happened if God had only created man or woman..
4. Use the internet or any other source to research more about the creation of Adam and Hawa
5. Write your findings in your notebooks and share them with the teacher and the rest of the class.

The nature of men and women

Discussing the ways in which man and woman support each other

Have you ever thought of the different roles of men and women in your community? Do men do the same kind of work as women in the community? Why or why not? With reference to Figure 1.26, discuss with your classmates the different roles played by; children, mothers and fathers at your home. How about the female and male teachers at school?

Activity 1.36 Discussing the complementary nature of men and women

In groups,

1. Observe carefully and explain what is happening in Figure 1.26 above
2. Brainstorm the meaning of complementary.
3. Discuss the roles of a father and a mother in a family.
4. Hold a class debate with the motion: “Of father and mother, who takes the greatest burden in the management of a home?”
5. Write important points in your notebooks and share them with the teacher and the rest of the class

Men and women have different roles to play when they are children or married. For example, a father looks for school fees and a mother prepares your breakfast to school, when father builds a house, mother cleans and takes care of the home. So when God was creating humans, they had different responsibilities depending on where they are. When a father goes to his home, he plays responsibilities of the father, the mother also plays her part, so each is a pillar to the other You will discuss the different responsibilities in the topic of family later in this class.

Sexuality and hygiene

The Qur’an enjoins mankind in many places to avoid indecency and manifest evil. Sex is sacred that is only supposed to be practiced in marriage. Sex before or outside marriage is considered evil. Sex is intended both for physical satisfaction and procreation. In the holy books, God commands mankind to multiply and fill the earth. This is the basic essence of sex and sexuality.

In Islam, there are a number of regulations on matters of sex and sexuality. For example, Islam discourages early sex, sex through the anus, sex during menstruation, same sex relations, sex with animals, among many others. This is basically for moral and health reasons.

The holy Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have taught at length on the above matters. Give one example of the Prophetic tradition regarding the above.

Activity 1.37 Reading the story and explaining concepts in human life and sexuality

Read the story below carefully and use it to appreciate the value and dignity of human sexuality.

Nakato was a fifteen-year-old girl at Kalo Secondary School. She was very beautiful and many old men and young boys alike ran after her Her father had died and she only lived with her mother Her mother used to constantly warn her against very close interaction with men. She told her that it was not safe and that as a young girl, she needed to value her body and abstain from all forms of indecency.

Despite this advice, Nakato did not listen and as a result, she got pregnant and dropped out of school. She could not give birth normally because she was not old enough to. She underwent an operation during delivery. It was a painful experience and she regretted all that she had done.

In groups,

1. Share the message we get from the story.
2. Discuss why it is important to abstain from sex

3. In your notebook, write a letter to your young sister advising her to value her body and to abstain from sex

Observing personal hygiene

Doctor Mustafa was invited to talk to Senior Two students about personal hygiene and this is what he had to say. Good personal hygiene is important for both health and social reasons. It involves

keeping your hands, head and body clean so as to stop the spread of germs and illness. Your personal hygiene benefits your own health and impacts the lives of those around you.

Activity 1.38 Understanding and observing personal hygiene

In groups,

1. Describe what you think is happening in Figure 1 28.
2. Share about the meaning of personal hygiene.
3. Share views about what can be done to maintain personal hygiene
4. How are you going to use the good hygiene practices to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases?
5. Write about the religious teachings on sexuality
6. Individually, write an article on the ways young people can value their bodies.
7. At home or during your free time, use the internet to search and discuss the importance of self-respect in terms of valuing your own body, observing personal hygiene, protecting self from communicable diseases, abstinence from sex

Islam emphasises cleanliness, that is one reason why ablution is done five times a day, hygiene should be part of a Muslim. Allah loves those who are clean as stated in (2:222) (Men are to keep away from their wives (sexually) when they are in their menses).

”…….. O you who have believed, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over heads and wash your feet.” Q (5.6)

The holy Prophet (PBUH) was particular on hygiene in many instances. For example, he is reported to have said that if he had not feared to complicate Muslims’ lives, he would have encouraged them to brush their teeth five times a day. On other occasions, he strongly encouraged his followers to keep their finger nails short, shave their armpits and private parts, keep their beards neat, among many other hygienic practices.

Task 8

1.Define the following terms:

(i) Human development

(ii) Sexuality

(iii) Hygiene

2. Mention some of the dangers of early involvement in sex.
3. List any three examples of good hygiene practices.

4.Give any five importances of maintaining good personal hygiene.

Promoting of human dignity in Africa

Activity 1.39 Discussing the ways in which Africans promoted human dignity

In your groups,

1. Observe carefully the image in Figure 1.29 above and explain what is happening.
2. Discuss how the actions in the above figure promoted human dignity in traditional Africa.
3. Use the internet to research about how justice was administered to those who violated the principles of human dignity in traditional Africa.