Others, of course, go as far as proclaiming that it is wrong for humans to consume meat at all, stating that this violates the rights of animals. Extremists amongst these groups go as far as attacking and killing people for the perceived protection of animal rights, but they miss a crucial point: Rights must always be balanced by obligations, so if animals were to be afforded equal rights with humans, they must also be tasked with looking after other species, a task they are obviously not capable of. Allah has created the world as a hierarchy. He has given man an exalted position, where all other creatures are subservient to him, but with it he has the obligation not to abuse his position and not to destroy the world entrusted to him. Those misguided campaigners who consider the consumption of animal meat an excess for human beings, should also logically eradicate all animals which live on the meat of others, as these should not have the right to kill other creatures for food either, and ultimately such a perverted logic would destroy the balance of life and eradicate all the finely tuned ecosystems Allah has created interdependently.

Animal welfare in Islam means that we may utilise animals for food and clothing and to do work for us, but we must adequately look after their needs and avoid excesses. There are categories of animals which are prohibited as food items, including all carnivorous animals and pigs. There are numerous reasons for such prohibitions, which is why hospitals, for example, avoid pork in the diet given to critically ill patients, but generally we understand that Allah has permitted for us what is good and wholesome, and has prohibited what is harmful, even if we don't always have full knowledge of the detailed effects of a substance. Nobody knows our needs better than our Creator Himself.

Islam also forbids the consumption of anything which might interfere with the perception of our senses or blur our judgment, like alcohol or mind changing drugs. Because we are all responsible for our deeds, we must ensure that we are in the full possession of our mental capacities. When people come under the influence of narcotics, their judgment of their own abilities also becomes flawed, and Islam thus does not leave it to the individual to decide how much of a particular drug he can handle, but demands complete abstinence. It is often said that such prohibition does not work and that it merely leads to the criminalize of people who will continue taking drugs. This is true where people do not agree with the reasons for a prohibition, and moral education must play a crucial role in this respect. Due to the internalised religious convictions of the members of a sound Islamic society, society's welfare is usually achieved by self regulation of its members rather than by policing them.

GENDER RELATIONS AND THE CENTRALITY OF FAMILY LIFE...

This equally holds true for Islamic endeavours to regulate sexual activity and elevate the ideals of chastity and modesty with regards to gender relations. There is no denying the need to satisfy human sexual desires beyond the pure purpose of procreation, and Islam does not advocate celibacy and complete abstinence. To create a safe family environment, however, where children can grow up trusting and supported by both parents, Islam insists that two partners should only have a sexual relationship after they have committed themselves to each other through marriage, and in order to minimise temptation, Islam restricts the opportunities for improper approaches and intimacy by advocating a modest dress code when in public and stating that an unmarried man and woman jnust never be left alone in private.

The selection of a suitable marriage partner should be based on faith and character, rather than the fading qualities of beauty and wealth, and parents and the wider society play a crucial role in helping young people find the right partner,

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