Homosexuality in Islam: Clarifying the
Boundaries
\ Shaykh Mustafa Umar
February 27, 2020
Homosexuality is the idea of feeling attracted to someone of the same gender and having a
relationship with them. The Qur’an takes a clear position that homosexuality is both sinful and
shameful. Allah says, “And (We sent) Lut (Lot) when he said to his people, ‘Do you commit the
shameful act in which nobody in the world has ever preceded you? (7:80) You come to men
lustfully instead of women. No, you are a people who cross the limits [of decency].’ (7:81) The
answer of his people was no other than to say, ‘Expel them from your town. They are a people
who pretend too much purity.’ (7:82)” From the preceding verses it is clear that the act of
engaging in a romantic relationship with someone of the same gender is shameful [fāḥishah],
uncommon [no one preceded you as a society], and sinful [cross the limits Allah has set]. The
language used in the verses critiquing homosexuality are not open for any other interpretation,
which is why there has never been any scholar in history who tried to give a different spin to
these verses.
Islam takes a strict stance against the practice of homosexuality because it is harmful to society,
the same way that adultery and fornication is considered a major sin in Islam since it harms
society through destruction of the family system.
Since the act is clearly prohibited in Islam, it also results in an invalid marriage. A valid marriage
is only between a man and a woman who are not close relatives to each other like a parent,
sibling, child, or uncle/aunt. Marriages to a close relative is invalid and prohibited. Likewise,
marriage to someone of the same gender is also invalid and prohibited.
Islam differentiates between a person’s thoughts and their actions. The Prophet Muhammad said,
“Allah has forgiven my community for whatever crosses their mind so long as they do not speak
of it or act upon it.” [Bukhari #2528 and Muslim #127] This means that a person who has an
attraction to someone of the same gender is not sinful just for having those thoughts, as long as
they do not act on them. Therefore, Islam differentiates between Same Sex Attraction [SSA] and
Homosexuality. The first one is the inclination or desire towards a person while the second one is
actually trying to act on that desire and have a physical relationship with a person. The first is not
sinful but the second one is. From a purely scientific and psychological perspective, researchers
admit they do not understand why a person has Same Sex Attraction in the first place. From an
Islamic perspective, it does not matter. Their abnormal desires for the same gender may be
something they acquired from their upbringing or environment without any choice of their own,
or may be a result of some habits or actions they did choose. Either way, their desires are a test
from Allah, the same way that many people are attracted to others whom they will never be able
to marry.
As for dealing with people who choose to act on their desires and engage openly in
homosexuality, they are treated by Muslims like any other person committing a sin. Among the
things prohibited in Islam and harmful to society are drinking wine, fornication, adultery, dealing
in interest, and gambling. Yet, there are countless number of people that Muslims regularly
interact with who do these things, and even justify them. A Muslim is able to interact and
associate with such people with no problem. Associating with a person who is gay or lesbian is
the same.
Muslims, however, must be cautious of the LGBT movement in Western countries. The
movement claims to combat discrimination and bullying against homosexuals but often, in
reality, it attempts to normalize homosexuality in society. There is no benefit in mocking or
bullying anyone who is gay or lesbian, and Muslims should aid in stopping such harassment.
However, Muslims should never be part of an agenda to normalize something like homosexuality
which is both prohibited and harmful to society. Often, under the banner of ‘gay rights’ or
‘combating discrimination’, several Muslims actually end up promoting homosexuality in their
society, even if that promotion is only directed towards non-Muslims. Such an effect is
tantamount to promoting adultery and fornication, and helping to normalize and destigmatize it,
even for non-Muslims.
[Shaykh] Mustafa Umar
2-27-2020 – Anaheim, CA
