Al-Fatiha Foundation

P.O. Box 300 Astor Station

Boston, MA 02123
Tel. (617) 685-4175 Fax (212-598-0074) E-mail: gaymuslims@yahoo.com

Homosexuality and same-sex acts in Islam

There is a general consensus amongst the scholars of Islam (both past and present) that homosexuality is a deviation
of mans true (heterosexual) nature. Thus the act of homosexuality is sinful and perverted and is viewed with
contempt in most Muslim societies and Islamic countries.

There are approximately seven verses in the Quran (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 (Shuaraa), 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 Muahmmad) 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 the one that it is being done to. (in reference to intercourse)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Cursed are those men who wear womens clothing and those women who wear mens clothing.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 AD) there was not one single case of a reported punishment or
execution for homosexuality or same-sex acts. The first execution to ever have been carried out was during the time
of the third Caliph, Omar, who ordered a homosexual man to be burned alive. Scholars at the time differed in opinion
on this form of punishment, arguing that no human should be burned (according to the traditions of the Prophet
Muhammad), thus it was decided that homosexuals should be thrown off of the highest building and then stoned to
death.

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 interpretation of the traditional literature. All the
legal schools regard sex between males as unlawful, but they differ over the severity of the punishment. The Hanafite
school (predominant in South Asia and East Asia today) maintains that it (same-gender sex) does not merit any
physical punishment. The Hanbalites, on the other hand (predominant in the Arab world) believe that sex between
males must be punished severely. The Shafi school of thought (also predominant in the Arab world) argues that
punishment for sodomy can only be carried out if there are four adult male witnesses who actually see the penetration,
as though the key is going into the key whole.

According to the Ahmadi Muslim Jamaat (a small sect within Islam), homosexual behavior is a symptom of the
decadence of society. In an essay entitled Homosexuality & Islam, the Ahmadi sect states (regarding the decadence
of society), As this process continues, people find and invent even more bizarre and perverted means to satisfy
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 natural urges, and trends like child and adult pornography, bisexuality, homosexuality and bestiality appear. They
go on to say that homosexuality is utterly contrary to every natural law of human and animal life, and counter to the
morals, purposes and institutions of a procreative society.

The Ismaili sect of Islam (also known as the Agha Khani movement), with a population of approximately 2 million
people believes Islam to be a continuously evolving faith that must be reinterpreted to adapt to modern-day society
and culture. Their spiritual leader, the Prince Agha Khan, who is thought to be a direct descendent of the Prophet
Muhammad, has been open to dialogue and communication with progressive movements within Islam. Although he
has not officially made any gay-affirming statements, it is believed that he will soon make a declaration regarding this
issue.

In 1988, scholars from Al-Azhar University, the oldest and most prominent Islamic school in the world, located in
Cairo, Egypt, passed a fatwa (decree) that sex reassignment surgeries were permissible in Islam. The Grand Mufti of
the University stated, It is permissible to perform the operation in order to reveal what was hidden of male or female
organs. Indeed, it is obligatory to do so on the grounds that it must be considered a treatment It is, however, not
permissible to do it at the mere wish to change sex from woman to man, or vice versa. This fatwa has set a
precedent for the Muslim transgender movement for acceptance within the bounds of the Islamic faith.

There have been many executions and arrests of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Muslims. These stories range
from executions in Afghanistan, deportations of transvestites and cross-dressers in Saudi Arabia, to the present-day
corruption and sodomy trial of ex-Prime Minister Anwar in Malaysia. It is also estimated that since the 1979 Islamic
Revolution in Iran, the government has executed more than 4,000 homosexuals.

Although Islam has been declared as the official religion in most Arab countries (except for Lebanon), European law
heavily influences their constitutions. For example, in Algeria, a country heavily influenced by French law(s),
sodomy may be punished with imprisonment from two months to two years and a fine (500-2,000 Algerian dinars).
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, where shariah (Islamic law) was always enforced, liwat (sodomy) is to be treated
like fornication, and must be punished in the same way. If muhsan (sane) and free, one must be stoned to death, while
a free bachelor must be whipped 100 lashes and banished for one year. However a non-Muslim who sodomizes a
Muslim must always be stoned to death. Sodomy is proved either by the culprit confessing four times or by the
testimony of four trustworthy Muslim men.

Since the occupation of Afghanistan, in 1992, by the extreme conservative army of the Taliban, there have been
approximately 10 public executions in the country. The men, all accused of committing sodomy had a wall toppled
on top of them. According to Taliban law, if the accused survive the execution after 30 minutes, they are innocent
and are then taken to a hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Islamic extremists tried to beat up a gay man and threatened to kill him at a London conference on Islamaphobia,
designed to promote understanding and tolerance of Muslim values, and attended by Muslim, Jewish and Christian
leaders. The conference, held in London, England, claimed that Islam is wrongly and unjustly portrayed as
barbaric, irrational, primitive, sexist, violent and aggressive. During the question and answer session, an OutRage!
Activist and a former Muslim of Pakistani descent, asked the panel of speakers how negative attitudes towards
Muslims among gay people could be overcome, given that Islam advocates the burning alive of homosexuals. Most
of the conference (then) turned on him. He was surrounded by over a hundred Muslims who screamed abuse and
threatened to kill him. None of the Muslim, Christian or Jewish leaders on the platform (panel) intervened to calm the
situation or condemn the violence. One Muslim cleric shouted that he had no need to ask what Muslims thought of
homosexuals: all he had to do was look at the audiences reaction. The man was quoted as saying, Muslims want
tolerance for themselves but not for lesbians and gays. They condemn Islamaphobia, while zealously promoting
hatred and violence against homosexuals.

Imam Siraj Wahaj, an African-American convert to Islam, and a prominent cleric and scholar of Islam in the United
States was quoted as saying the following in 1992, in reference to the supposed opening of a gay mosque in Toronto:
I would burn down the masjid (mosque) myself, if I could.

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 The Islamic Society of North Americas Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, answering a question posed on homosexuality, says,
Homosexuality is a moral disorder. It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption NO person is born homosexual,
just like no one is born a thief, a liar or a murderer. People acquire these evil habits due to a lack of proper guidance
and education. Attempting to explain why homosexuality is a sin, he says, There are many reasons why it is
forbidden in Islam. Homosexuality is dangerous for the health of the individuals and for the society. It is a main
cause of one of the most harmful and fatal diseases. It is disgraceful for both men and women. It degrades a person.
Islam teaches that men should be men and women should be women. Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood
and a woman of her womanhood. It is the most un-natural way of life. Homosexuality leads to the destruction of
family life.

Although mainstream Islam officially condemns homosexuality there is a growing movement of progressive-minded
Muslims, especially in the Western world, who see Islam as an evolving religion that must adapt to modern-day
society. It is within this movement that Al-Fatiha Foundation hopes to work in order to enlighten the world that Islam
is a religion of tolerance and not of hate, and that Allah (God) loves His creation, no matter what their sexual
orientation may be.

Al-Fatiha Foundation is an international organization dedicated to the empowerment of gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender (GLBT) Muslims, including those questioning their sexual orientation/gender identity, and their
friends. Our goal is to support GLBTQ Muslims in their internal and external struggles by sharing individual
experiences and institutional resources. Al-Fatiha also has an Internet, email-based, discussion group for
GLBTQ Muslims and their friends. The Gay-Muslims Listservs purpose is to bring together GLBTQ Muslims
in a forum where they can communicate issues of common concern, share individual experiences, and also gain
resources to reconcile their sexuality/gender identity with the religion of Islam. For more information on either
our organization or to subscribe to the listserv, please contact us.