Homosexuality
in a Changing World: Are We Being Misinformed?
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By
Dr. Nadia El-Awady
IslamOnline’s
Health & Science Editor
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17/02/2003
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Islamic
Stance on Homosexuality
In
contrast to the indecision of the scientific community in finding a
common definition and understanding of homosexuality, Islam is more
than clear on the matter.
In
an interview with Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the highly esteemed Islamic
scholar, he explained homosexuality to be a deviation from the
original rule.
The
rule goes that opposites attract and that Allah the Almighty
created man and woman to propagate the human species. For one to
be sexually attracted to someone of the same sex is a deviation
from this rule. This is why Allah says in the Holy Qur’an in
reference to the People of Lut (Lot), who were indulging in
homosexual acts at the time, “ Of all the creatures in
the world, will ye approach males, And leave those whom Allah
has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people
transgressing (all limits)!” (26: 165-166). Allah thus
considers such doings to be a transgression.
Elsewhere
in the Qur’an, Allah describes homosexuality as ignorance: “Would
ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye
are a people (grossly) ignorant!” (27: 55).
Yet
elsewhere we read, “For ye practise your lusts on men in
preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing
beyond bounds.” (7:81). “And we rained down on
them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was the end of those
who indulged in sin and crime!” (7: 84). “He
said: "O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do
mischief!"” (29: 30).
The
People of Lut in the Qur’an are thus depicted with all kinds
of corruption and sin: transgression, ignorance, sin and crime,
and mischief. Again, describing the People of Lut, Allah says, “Verily,
by thy life (O Prophet), in their wild intoxication, they wander
in distraction, to and fro.” (15: 72). Their actions
are described as a wild intoxication, which can be, by no means,
an explanation of something one is naturally born with.
As
for the claims of some that homosexuality is a normal disposition in
some people, Dr. Qaradawi explains:
This
sin was not described before the People of Lut. The Qur’an
says, “And (remember) Lut: behold, he said to his people:
"Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation
(ever) committed before you.” (29: 28).
The
testimony of Allah cites that the People of Lut were the first
people to contrive this vice. The world had been free of such a
grave sin since the beginning of time. Their prophet (Lut) was
sent to warn them of the consequences of their sinful behavior,
and the result was severe punishment to purify the world from
them, “When Our Decree issued, We turned (the cities)
upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked
clay, spread, layer on layer,- Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are
they ever far from those who do wrong!” (11: 82, 83).
Dr.
Qaradawi continues:
All
divine messages spoke of the People of Lut and denounced their
ill-doings. The West, however, wishes to turn homosexuality into
something acceptable by society. Not only that, but laws and
regulations are being construed to legalize this sin and many of
the issues surrounding it.
Personally,
I consider a homosexual to be as a drug abuser, one who requires
treatment. Does anyone in their right mind consider drug abuse
something one is born with? This is not a genetic anomaly, it is
something one acquires. It is a disease that needs a cure.
“And
to Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from
the town which practised abominations: truly they were a people
given to Evil, a rebellious people.”
(21: 74)
Vocalization
of Sexual Preferences
Regarding
sexual acts in general, there are several important issues that must
be raised and addressed to vocal Muslim gay associations in
particular.
As
a general rule in Islam, sexual acts are a private matter not to be
disclosed to anyone outside the bedroom. What a husband and wife do
together should be kept between them and not told to anyone.
Abu
Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, is quoted to have said:
“Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, led us in
prayer, and when he had finished he turned toward us and said:
“Remain seated. Is there among you one who comes to his wife,
closes the door, and draws the curtain, and then goes out and speaks
about it, saying, "I did this and I did that with my
wife?" They remained silent. Then he turned toward the women
and asked, 'Is there among you one who tells about such things?' A
girl raised herself on her knees so that the Messenger of Allah
could see her and listen to what she said. She said, 'Yes, by Allah,
the men talk about it and the women do too.' Then the Prophet, peace
and blessings be upon him, said, 'Do you know the similitude of
those who do that? They are like a male and female devils who meet
each other in the road and satisfy their desire with the people
gazing at them.” (See IslamOnline’s fatwa on “Divulging
Bedroom Secrets”).
Thus
the matter of vocalizing one’s sexual preference even in the case
of normal marital relations is prohibited in Islam, let alone
forming groups based on sexual preferences.
Another
point related to the same issue of vocalization of sexual acts is
related to Islam’s stance on announcing one’s sinful acts. In
Islam, we are instructed to keep our sins secret and to seek
repentance for them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
is reported to have said, “Anyone who commits a punishable sin
should cover himself up as long as he’s being shielded by Allah
(i.e. he should not expose himself) because if he divulges his
punishable sin, the prescribed punishment becomes due.” (i.e.
it should be carried out as he has confessed). (See IslamOnline’s
fatwa on Zina and Repentance).
This totally goes against the notion of “coming out of the
closet” preached by homosexuals today. (See IslamOnline’s fatwa
on “’Islams Stand on Forming
Homosexual Organizations”).
Another
important point is that Islam does not allow any form of
extra-marital sexual relationships. This is to ensure a pure society
in which the rights of the various parties involved are protected.
Anal
Sex
It
must also be noted that in a normal husband-wife relationship, anal
sex is prohibited in Islam. It would thus seem a matter of logic
what Islam’s stance on anal sex might be for extra-marital
relationships or relationships between members of the same sex (See
IslamOnline’s fatwa on “Islamic Ruling
on Anal Sex”).
This
is not to mention the concept of `Awrah in Islam, where
certain parts of the body are not to be seen or touched by anyone
except one’s spouse. This would clash with any kind of homosexual
relationship.
Sexual
Experimentation
The
Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) also ordered us to separate
between children in their beds. And if there is no escape but to let
children sleep in the same bed, that they must be covered by
separate covers.
This
is to prevent any kind of foul play at a delicate age and to ensure
that a child grows up with the proper safe-guards against sinful
actions. This would mean that the concept of sexual experimentation
in Islam is not allowed, irrespective of one’s age, and that
children should be protected from that idea as far as possible to
preserve their fitrah (human nature that one is born with).
A
Whole-Hearted Acceptance
Islam
is a way of life. It is a system of beliefs based on divine
revelation. As other systems rely for their laws and regulations on
the human element, Muslims refer to Allah, the Creator, for their
laws and regulations. Our very understanding of our existence, life,
and the after-life is dependent on this One source.
As
Muslims, we also believe that one must search for the truth, the
ultimate truth that is the basis of one’s basic beliefs. The
search must be thorough and uncompromising. If one comes to the
conclusion after that search that the truth lies in Islam, the
system MUST be accepted as a whole. As a Muslim, one cannot choose
to follow parts of Islam and disregard others. The whole-hearted
acceptance of Islam as a religion entails a similar whole-hearted
acceptance of its ideology and doctrine, which are thus practiced to
the extent of one’s power. “Then is it only a part of the
Book that ye believe in, and do ye reject the rest? But what is the
reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this
life? And on the day of judgement they shall be consigned to the
most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.”
(2:85). This does not imply that sin becomes obsolete. But it does
mean that if one sins, one realizes it and acknowledges his actions
as such.
For
further reading on Islam’s stance on homosexuality please read:
