What Is The True Reason Why Extramarital Relationships Is Such A Severe Sin
A couple of thoughts that come to mind: 1. It seems that an extramarital relationship would be the ultimate form of neglect in the case that a child is born out of wedlock, and neither parent claims him/her. The child would be stripped of the right to know his/her identity. Much worse, he/she would likely not have the quality and necessary care at a time when he/she is vulnerable in every way. I cannot think of any other act that has ramifications as significant as these when it comes to the neglect of a child. 2. Surely, there is a difference between taking on the responsibility of four marriages, as opposed to going out and having extramarital relationships. In a marriage, there would at least be an acknowledgment of the responsibilities that the man must uphold so that the rights of all members – current and future – can be met. In the case of an extramarital relationship, it cannot even be confirmed that the fornicators will ever meet again, let alone that any responsibilities as a result of a child being born, will be upheld. In any case, I feel that a man who marries more than one woman without the intent or means of fulfilling the responsibilities associated with these marriages is probably not marrying in line with the spirit of Islam anyway.
My last post was on physical relationship between unmarried, this post is specific to extramarital relationships. I did not get an answer to the question asked here, so I put it out for all to explore. I am also requesting Ghamidi Sahib to ponder on this. Extramarital relations, just like gambling and intoxication, is a source of degradation of society and destruction of family. Usually a source act is prohibitted to stop its impact on the target. Normally source acts have lighter or no punishments associated with them, but the impact on target is where the full weight of punishment is associated. In case of extramarital relationships, which is a source, assigning the most extreme punishment breaks the logic established in Islam. So my assertion is that preservation of family or children is not the prime reason, as opposed to Ghamidi Sahib, for the prohibition of extramarital relationships. There is another bigger reason where extramarital relationships is the target issue, not a source of issue.