What is homosexuality? Is it a natural phenomenon? Is it logical? Is it legal?
What did Allah say about homosexuality to the previous nations? To Lot's nation?
What does Islam say about homosexuality?
From Reading Islam:
Question:I am a happy, young gay man, and I am at university studying chemistry. What I want to know is why homosexuals are regarded to be sinners and are to be murdered. How can I look at another Muslim, knowing that they have been taught that I am to be slaughtered? I know a lot of other religions practice this too. If Islam is supposed to be a peaceful religion, then why are homophobic murders carried out in the name of Islam? Also, why do Muslim women have to cover up all of their bodies?Answer:To begin with, you should know that Muslims believe in Allah as the One and Only Creator of all that exists and therefore accept that Allah has full knowledge of His creation. Allah Most High knows about every aspect of human life and has knowledge of even the inner, unexpressed thoughts of human beings.Therefore, in Islam, the understanding is that Allah Most High has created mankind from a male and a female, the first human pair being Adam and Eve. All subsequent generations to emerge from Adam and Eve have been possible because of the natural reproductive process, that is, the union of a male and a female. In the context of society, even this union between a male and a female is regulated, and according to Islam, should not exist outside of the institution of marriage.
As humans were created of two sexes to be able to reproduce sexually (as opposed to asexually as some lower creatures do), what is considered most unnatural in Islam is the existence of non-platonic relationships (i.e., involving sexual attraction) of men to men and women to women. What is acceptable, of course, is platonic, entirely non-sexual, love expressed by men to men and by women to women in a brotherly and sisterly manner.This does not mean, however, that Islam turns a blind eye to the existence of homosexuality. In fact, the Qur'an does not deny that some men and women might be inclined towards homosexual and lesbian behavior, but it is quite clear from Islamic teachings that when and if such behavior becomes manifest, it has to be stopped because it is both unnatural and destructive to the social fabric.
We are reminded for example in the Qur'an of the statement of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) who found his people engaged in homosexuality and said what means:
*{And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: "Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway and practice wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth."}* (Al-`Ankabut 29:28-29)
In another verse in the Qur'an, Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) also said to them:
*{Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!}* (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:165-166)
So, the Qur'an in general regards homosexuality as unnatural and informs us that it was not known among the creation before the people of Lot practiced it. Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) attempted to advise his people to refrain from this unnatural behavior lest they incur the wrath of God.
As for the second part of your question, from the first instance of homosexual behavior (with the people of Lot), such behavior has been a punishable offense. It is clear that when the people who engaged in homosexual behavior taunted Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) to bring on the punishment, Allah punished them.
As we read in the Qur'an, Allah states what means:
*{and We rained on them a rain of torment. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned}* (Ash-Shu`ara' 26:173).
Essentially, Allah is Merciful and offers great hope to His followers to repent and to seek His forgiveness; but for those who sin and flaunt their sins, this episode with the people of Lot (peace be upon him) makes it clear to us that there is no tolerance.
As to the actual means of punishment, there are different opinions among Muslim scholars. There is definitely no consensus that the punishment is death. However, it is important to know that the basis upon which some scholars have founded their opinions is their comparison between the punishment for fornication (which can only be punishable if there are four witnesses to the act itself) and homosexuality, as both acts despite their differences, are also similar. As marriage in Islam — the only possibility for sexual relations — can only be between a man and woman, any homosexual behavior will immediately be a form of fornication anyway.
"Muslim jurists hold different opinions for this abominable practice. Should it be the same as the punishment for fornication, or should both the active and passive participants be put to death? While such punishments may seem cruel, they have been suggested to maintain the purity of the Islamic society and to keep it clean of perverted elements." To read the whole fatwa click Here.
The reason for the punishment, however, is also important to understand. Just as fornication can destroy the fabric of society by creating social problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, emotional and psychological stress, the breakup of the family, unwanted pregnancies and illegitimate children, homosexuality is seen in the same light. As Islam is both an individual and a communal worldview and way of life, the preservation of the social order that God has deemed to be best for humanity plays an essential role in the social laws laid down in the Qur'an and by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Islam is a peaceful, comprehensive, universal, and timeless religion whose teachings are a direct revelation from the Creator Himself. Therefore, the fact because Islamic teachings dictate that homosexuality is a sin and must be punished does not make Islam any less peaceful. Rather, this particular teaching, as we have mentioned above, aims to protect society and to keep it from utter moral deterioration.
You have nothing to fear, though. Muslims do not go around wanting to punish homosexuals! On the contrary, they do not have the right to do so, according to Islam. Only an Islamic government has the right to do so and only in the case of a confession or the testimony of four witnesses as mentioned. Also, the law only applies to Muslim citizens not to non-Muslims.
As for what a non-homosexual Muslim would think of a homosexual when they meet, the typical upright Muslim should feel pity and mercy towards his homosexual friend. He should only dream of having his friend come back to what Muslims regard as the "heaven of normality" and practice a "natural" happy life accepted and respected by the societies and their very selves.
The maximum a Muslim should do is to invite his homosexual friend to what the Muslim regards as the right path. A Muslim would regard this as being his duty; he would believe he owes friendship that much. He might preach to him a bit, but that's it! No killing.
Finally, you ask about the clothing of Muslim women. Our brief response is that the guidelines dealing with the clothing for men and women are in place to ensure their dignity and modesty.
Men and women do their best to look good in Islam. Looking good is not at all associated with how much skin one exposes, nor how much one highlights the shape of the body. Although the garments are meant to cover the physical body, Muslims are motivated by an innate desire to be constantly God-conscious and, therefore, to also protect and preserve their inner beauty.
In essence, for both genders, the clothing must be at the minimum loose-fitting and non-transparent.
There is so much more that needs to be said, but we hope this brief explanation sparks your interest to read further about Islam in general. For more on hijab, however, you can read Hijab: What's It All About?
Thank you once again, Thomas, for your question, and please keep in touch.
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