The first question
we should address is regarding what Islam says about attraction
between people of the same sex, which many consider to be the
defining sign of homosexuality.
Muzammil
Siddiqi: On being attracted to people of the same sex
(Main conclusion: being attracted to people of the same sex
is not in itself a sin.)
Partaking in sexual acts other than
those allowed by Allah (God), however, is an altogether different
matter.
Dr. Yusuf
Al-Qaradawi: Homosexual acts constitute a major sin
Islam's
Stance on Lesbianism
Al-Jumu'ah
Magazine: Islamic Ruling Concerning Homosexuality
Muzammil
Siddiqi: On genetics and morality
(Main conclusion: whether or not we accept that
homosexuality has a genetic basis, this is irrelevant as far as
Muslims should be concerned.)
So what should
be the Muslim attitude to homosexual acts and those who carry them
out?
Muzammil
Siddiqi: Islamic manners regarding homosexuality
(Main conclusion: Muslims must dissociate themselves from
evil but deal with people wisely.)
What about supposedly "Muslim
gay" groups? The following fatwa answers contentions raised by
such groups regarding the position of the great Islamic scholars:
Dr.
Taha Jaber Al-'Alwani: Islam's Stand on Homosexual
Organisations
(Main conclusion: The evidence for Islam's
prohibition of homosexual acts is clear-cut.)
Another matter
is the way in which Muslims should deal with those who carry out
these sinful acts. Many Muslims are hasty to declare the death
penalty, but the following two links help clarify the issue:
Homosexual
sex compared to zina (adultery/fornication)
Difference
of opinion regarding punishment
(Main conclusions: Scholars give various rulings
regarding the necessary punishment, which may be as severe as the
death penalty. However, vigilantism is not allowed, and any
trial/punishment must go through proper authorities.)
Rulings
on masturbation
(Main conclusion: This practice is sinful, except
under extreme circumstances.)
Male
and Female Masturbation
Rulings and rationale.
Rulings
on Sex-Changes
(Main conclusion: Genders are not to be tampered
with.)
Please do check back for more rulings
and further information in other sections of the website. We
welcome submissions of rulings, which we will include here at our
discretion. We also welcome
variant points of view, or scholarly rulings that may disagree with
anything we have posted/linked to on this site.
Please e-mail us: info@straightway.org.uk
- and we will also attempt to answer any questions you may have,
insha'Allah (God willing).
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