Love at first sight? Ethics of desire

Our Muslim youth are growing up in an environment where explicit content in various formats is ubiquitous. Educators and parents see the confusion, discomfort, and sometimes shame they experience when exposed to this content. This unit takes students through three chapters that explore the nature of sexual desires in Islam and help students recognize the dignity and true intended purpose of their desires, how to manage them responsibly, and how to navigate an environment saturated with sexual imagery. The ultimate goal of this unit is to reorient students toward a sound understanding of human desires through instruction grounded in Islam’s theological and ethical principles. Note: We recognize that addressing sexual desires in an Islamic framework can be sensitive. This unit is designed to be taught in gender-segregated environments. We encourage educators to thoroughly review all materials in this unit beforehand to ensure their students are developmentally and emotionally prepared for these discussions.