Does Islam Accept Same-Sex Behavior?
General Reference (not clearly pro or con)
The Al-Fatiha Foundation, a gay muslim organization, wrote in 1999, as published on its website:
“There are approximately seven verses in the Qur’an (the holy text of the Muslims) that supposedly refer to homosexuality and same-sex acts. The majority of these verses refer to the nation of Lot, the biblical nation of Sodom and Gomorrah. The following are examples of a few verses:
‘We also sent Lut (Lot): he said to his people: ‘Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation ever committed before you? For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.” Surah VII (Araf), Verses 80-81 ‘Of all creatures in the world, will ye approach males. And leave those whom Allah (God) has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are people transgressing all limits?’ Surah XXVI (Shu’araa), Verses 165-166 ‘If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, leave them alone: for Allah (God) is Oft-Returning, Most merciful.’ Surah IV (Nisaa), Verse 16 There are approximately four hadith (sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad) in reference to homosexuality, same-sex acts, and cross-dressing. A few include the following:
‘When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes’ – Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ‘Kill the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being done to’ (in reference to intercourse) – Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ‘Cursed are those men who wear women’s clothing and those women who wear men’s clothing.’ – Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).” 1999
PRO (yes)
Pro
Kecia Ali of The Feminist Sexual Ethics Project, wrote in a Dec. 10, 2002 article:
“Despite current conventional wisdom to the contrary, same-sex sexual expression has been a more or less recognized aspect of Muslim societies for many centuries, as can be seen through literature, history, and law. Medieval Arabic literature, including both belles-lettres works (in the genre of adab) and copious amounts of erotica, discusses same-sex sexual activity frequently and explicitly…
[F]or most Muslims seeking guidance, the primary authority is not jurisprudence but rather the Qur’an and prophetic traditions (hadith) which are themselves the main sources of Islamic law. However, those who turn to scripture or hadith collections looking for material on lesbian sexual activity and relationships will find little to help them grapple with these issues.” Dec. 10, 2002
Pro
Faris Malik, Manager of the Muslim-oriented gay websites “Born Eunuchs” and “Queer Jihad,” wrote in 1999, as published on his website:
“Qur’an does not prohibit using, as passive sex partners, the ancient category of men who by nature lacked desire for women, since such men were not considered ‘male’ as a result of their lack of arousal for women. This kind of man is often known as ‘gay’ in modern times, but in the ancient world he was identified as an anatomically whole ‘natural eunuch.’
Although the Qur’an never uses the word eunuch [khasiyy], the hadith and the books of the legal scholars do. Furthermore, the Qur’an recognizes that some men are ‘without the defining skill of males’ (24:31: ‘ghair oolaa il-irbati min ar-rijaali’) and so, as domestic servants, are allowed to see women naked. This is a reference to natural eunuchs, i.e. gay men.”
1999
CON (no)
Con
Muzammil H. Siddiqi, PhD, Religious Director of the Islamic Society of Orange County, wrote in 2004:
“Homosexual behavior is sinful and shameful. In Islamic terminology it is called ‘al-fahsha’ (an atrocious and obscene act)…
There are agencies and lobby groups that are working hard to propagate it and to make it as an acceptable and legitimate lifestyle. For this reason it is important that we should speak against it…
Those who insist on this lifestyle, consider it legitimate and feel ‘gay pride,’ we should not associate with them and should not take them as friends.”
2004
Con
The Al-Fatiha Foundation, a gay muslim organization, wrote in 1999, as published on its website:
“Islamic schools of thought and jurisprudence differ on the issue of homosexuality.
Sex between males was treated differently by the various legal schools, on the basis of differing interpretations of the traditional literature.
All the legal schools regard sex between males as unlawful, but they differ over the severity of the punishment.”
1999
