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We ARE Being
Misinformed!
Mujahid
Mustaqim
The following are my comments on Dr. Nadia Al-Awady’s recent
work entitled “Homosexuality
in a Changing World: Are We Being Misinformed?” The headings
refer to her original headings, with the exception of
"CONCLUSION".
INTRODUCTION
I applaud the fact that Sr. Nadia has written this and that
it is available on IslamOnline, a fantastic resource for both Muslims
and non-Muslims. It is true that these issues have been taboo in our
community, and this has only led to great confusion, as well as
success for certain people who are, knowingly or unwittingly, twisting
the teachings of Islam and preaching misguidance. Unless Muslim
scholars and organisations listen to what such people are saying, and
provide lucid and relevant information and advice, Muslims will
continue to indulge in sins and go astray. We must provide sound
advice and guidance to young people who identify as, or think they may
be, homosexual/bisexual. Condemning and insulting these people will
not help, just as ignoring the whole issue has failed to help. It is
time for a new approach.
ISLAMIC
STANCE ON HOMOSEXUALITY
While a good summary of Islamic rulings, as explained by
possibly the greatest living scholar, this section raises questions
while attempting to answer them.
The word “homosexuality” is used in translation, but
which words did Dr. Qaradawi use in Arabic? Do we find a word exactly
equivalent to “homosexuality” in the Qur’an or Sunnah? The
Qur’anic passages quoted all refer to the actions of the
people of Sodom, not their “orientation”. One sentence from which
we can see that the respected sister has confused the two concepts is:
“Their
actions are described as a wild intoxication, which can be, by no
means, an explanation of something one is naturally born with.”
Surely we do not say that someone is born with certain actions?
Similarly, she says: “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.’” So, we go from asking about a “disposition” to
answering in terms of a “sin”. However, we know that Allah does
not punish people on the basis of their temptations or simply due to
the way they are. Rather, He (SWT) judges mankind based on what
they do.
So what is going on here? I believe Sr. Nadia is displaying
a misconception that is so widespread that very few people nowadays
question it. Even many of the most learned people seem to have missed
the point somewhat, which is why their answers to questions about
homosexuality often seem to be harsh or unfeeling. This misconception
has become entrenched in the modern mind due to a persistent effort on
the part of homosexualist campaigners and the media.
What am I talking about? My research so far has shown the
following:
- There
is no equivalent word to “homosexuality” in the Islamic
sources.
- Even
in the English language, terms like “sexuality” and “sexual
orientation” did not appear until fairly recently.
Even an article hosted on the site of the Al-Fatiha
Foundation, the most notorious “Gay Muslim” group, admits the
following: “The only ayat
and the only hadith that mention same-sex acts, mind you they are
actual sex, not the identity of being gay (which is a very new and
Western phenomenon, and a discussion for another time)…”
[Emphasis mine]
By
using this terminology we are falling into a trap – the word
“homosexuality” carries with it the burden of a philosophy alien
to Islam, which I call “orientationism”. It is inaccurate to say
that "Islam forbids homosexuality" because Islam does not
recognise that concept. Instead, there are at least three main
concepts related to "homosexuality" that we can evaluate in
the light of the Shari'ah:
-
Sexual
attraction to members of the same sex.
-
Sodomy
and other sexual acts between members of the same sex.
-
Gender-blurring
lifestyles, e.g. effeminate men.
Therefore,
we should discuss whether a person is held accountable for the
attractions they are faced with, and if so, which attractions are
acceptable. We should discuss whether sexually-charged acts, such as
passionate kissing or anal intercourse, are permissible between
members of the same sex. We should discuss how a man should behave and
how a woman should behave, for example in dress. There are also
related issues that could be addressed.
[Please
see Identifying
a Homosexual... for more discussion of this subject.]
VOCALISATION
OF SEXUAL PREFERENCES
This is a
very important topic for the “Gay Muslims” to wise up to. They may
claim all sorts of things about what Islam does or does not allow, but
they must still, if they are sincere, follow the guidelines of modesty
that Allah (SWT) has taught us.
I have
read various outrageous things such as a man explaining his liking a
particular Muslim scholar partly because he finds him handsome, and
people discussing what illicit acts they wish to perform to each
other, followed by the words “insha-allah”! (And we seek refuge in
Allah from these actions.)
If these
people are sincere in their belief that homosexual relationships are
allowed in Islam, they should still not transgress and disregard the
rest of the Islamic morals. Otherwise, they will demonstrate that they
have no real care for Allah’s law, and they call themselves Muslims
just for a joke. The Prophet (SAW) said that the defining
characeteristic of Islam is MODESTY.
HOMOSEXUALITY-RELATED
RESEARCH
In the
beginning, Sr. Nadia states that “homosexuality is a matter of
choice”. If we define “homosexuality” as a sexual orientation, a
definition implied in the very term itself, then surely it cannot be
described as a choice. People are free, of course, to choose whether
or not to perform various actions.
We must
acknowledge that the vast majority of people who feel same-sex
attractions (SSAs) do not do so out of any choice. If anything, most
of them would much prefer not to feel that way, as a
“heterosexual” (also a loaded term!) life would work out much
simpler, especially as a Muslim, and in a Muslim community.
We should
stop talking about “orientation”. Muslims who have SSAs should
understand that Satan is working on them, and inviting them to sin.
They should reject his call and turn to Allah. Surely He is the best
Guide and the Most Merciful.
Understanding
the role of Satan does not preclude other explanations, e.g.
biological or psychological. We need to look into the possible causes
of a person’s preference towards the same sex. If this will lead to
a person’s “cure”, then all the better. If not, then the person
must strive against the lower desires of his/her soul.
CONCLUSION
I
shall conclude my comments here, as the rest of Sr. Nadia’s
compilation, while interesting and important, would require a
completely different sort of scrutiny from that which I have been
attempting here.
I ask that Allah blesses the sister for her efforts, and
increases us all in knowledge, understanding, love and mercy towards
each other, and guides us on His Straight Way, ameen.
AFTERWORD
The
following is excerpted from Dr. El-Awady's reply to me:
Dear Brother Mujahid,
I thank you very much for your comments and am very much interested
in hearing more.
It seems I did, unknowingly and ignorantly, fall into a trap without
realizing it! The word homosexuality is the one used in the English language and the one I used in the article. The
word used by Dr. Qaradawi was, of course, not homosexuality.
The word he used was "shuzooz" which might be
translated to "perversion" or "deviation".
I never once thought to correctly translate that word to its exact
English equivalent. Instead I used the word most commonly used
in the West. I apologize for that mistake.
My attempt to cover the issue was out of a realization that it has
not been properly discussed amongst Muslims as of yet. I am no
expert on the issue. [...] Again, I thank you for your input and
encourage more.
Nadia
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