Homosexualitet

Notis: Det följande är en reproduktion av artiklen ”Homosexuality and Islam (Submission to God alone)”.

By M. Siddiqui

This is a reply to a question like many others we receive on our web site

QUESTION:
<< My question concerns the issue of homosexuality. Please provide a Quranic spotlight on this contentious issue. Is homosexuality normal/natural? Is it accepted in Quran? How to deal with people who are homosexual? Can homosexuals be submitters?>>

Homosexuality is a sin. Men and women should abstain from any practice of Homosexuality.

Homosexuality is prohibited in Quran per the example of the people of Lot. The following verses will make this clear, God willing.

[7:80-81]

Lot said to his people, ”You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before! ”You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.”

”Do you have sex with the males, of all the people? ”You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people.”

The Quran forbids any sexual relationship other than in a marriage between a man and a woman. Many homosexual men and women claim that they are born with their sexual preferences and that they have no choice. Although this point is very much in dispute in the medical world, it has no support in the Quran. Even then, irrespective of the nature of  homosexuality, this matter would not affect the laws spelled  out clearly in the Quran .

We know that this life is a test. Everyone of us has his/her own test. For example someone may be born blind, but that person is expected to live his/her life according to God’s law. Others are born poor, short, tall, weak, missing fingers, having big nose…etc but all of them are expected to follow God’s law. Some men or women may never marry in their life, or spend part of their life without a spouse. As per the Quran they still have to live a chaste life and avoid any sexual contacts outside a marriage. They have to suppress their sexual feelings to follow God’s law. It is a major test and not an easy one for many. Only those who submit to God will do everything they can to follow His law. They know that their salvation and eternal happiness rests in doing so.

Since God condemns homosexuality, then we have to believe that a man or a woman with homosexual feelings  is expected to behave like any other human being and follows God’s laws if he/she truely believes in them. He/she shall resist his/her feelings , maintains abstinence , use all available resources of help including medical, social and behavioral therapies to overcome their behavior and feelings. They should pray to God to help them getting over it and submit to God’s law that sees homosexuality as gross sin. Only those who steadfastly persevere in obeying God’s law will they pass their test and confirm their submission to God.

For a person who asks, ”why me?” We know God is the Most Merciful and Just (16:90) and He will give each one of us a fair test and a fair chance. He assigns the tests to suite each one of us and we believe that He will never burden any soul beyond its means (23:2).

[17:89]

We have cited for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples, but most people insist upon disbelieving.

We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

We have cited for the people every kind of example in this Quran, that they may take heed.

The spouses that God have made from among ourselves are those that aid in producing children. Since the spouses in homosexual relationship would not produce children they are not the spouses God made from among ourselves.

And GOD made for you spouses from among yourselves, and produced for you from your spouses children and grandchildren, and provided you with good provisions. Should they believe in falsehood, and turn unappreciative of GOD’s blessings?

With regard to dealing with homosexuals, the basic rule governing this would be 60:8 & 9.

GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable. GOD enjoins you only from befriending those who fight you because of religion, evict you from your homes, and band together with others to banish you. You shall not befriend them. Those who befriend them are the transgressors.

However, to be a winner we have to advocate righteousness and forbid evil.

Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners.

You are the best community ever raised among the people: you advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and you believe in GOD. If the followers of the scripture believed, it would be better for them. Some of them do believe, but the majority of them are wicked.

The believing men and women are allies of one another. They advocate righteousness and forbid evil, they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they obey GOD and His messenger. These will be showered by GOD’s mercy. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

Also, if God so wills, a reminder may benefit the person.

The righteous are not responsible for the utterances of those people, but it may help to remind them; perhaps they may be saved.

Therefore, you shall remind; perhaps the reminder will benefit.

I hope the above has been helpful, God willing. If you desire further clarification please do not hesitate to write to us.

Second e-mail
<<Is there a way to become straight and lead a normal life? >>

Absolutely. There are men who have lived a homosexual life that has left that life behind and are now happily married. When those men appear to tell their story, they are often attacked by other men who have chosen a homosexual life style who claims that it is impossible to first be gay and then turn straight, and are sure that these men must be lying to themselves.

As it turns out some people living a homosexual life, and some people supporting people living homosexual lives, simply cannot accept and will even quite aggressively argue against the fact, that there are men who can be confused for a while, but later get their sexuality sorted out and return to leading a heterosexual life.

It is kind of the same phenomena that people who decide to dedicate all their worship to God alone go through. They are constantly approached and attacked by those who have chosen to stay behind, who wish that they too would stay in their place and not change, not move forward and not leave them behind, as it exposes their choice. 

We all go through a purification process in this life, as we are all born into this world with qualities to rid ourselves of, rooted in our ego. Some go through more obvious purification than others (and this can be a true blessing) and some less obvious, but equally as important and serious.

To help us in this process, God has provided for us some extremely powerful tools. One of the most important tools is the daily Contact Prayers – Salat. Another extremely important command is to seek refuge in God whenever Satan approaches us with a suggestion/whisper/feeling.

[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient.

There are a few verses in the Quran giving us the formula for how to do this. I’ve listed those verses below as they are translated into English.

[23:97] Say, ”My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils.

[113:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[113:1] Say, ”I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak.

[114:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[114:1] Say, ”I seek refuge in the Lord of the people.

[114:6] ”Be they of the jinns, or the people.”

<< Should i get married to a girl as my family tells me to? Will this be fair to the girl in islamic terms? or should come out to my family, disappoint them, and make them hate me? >>

Ask yourself this: Would you want somebody to marry you for the wrong reasons? God clearly tells us that there must be love and care between a husband and a wife. These are signs from Him that two people are meant for each other. When there is no love between two people, there can be no marriage (30:21).

Sometimes we make things more difficult for ourselves than they need to be. We allow ourselves to accept pressure on us suggested by other people. It is up to us to accept those suggestions, or ignore them.

You must lead your life in your own way, in your own time. Don’t get us wrong, it is very good that you are reconsidering your position towards choosing a homosexual life style, as this is clearly against God’s command. The situation could however worsen if you allow yourself to be rushed, forced or indirectly pushed into a situation which you didn’t really want or choose for yourself. This way you are guaranteed to become miserable and also make people around you miserable.

It sounds as if you need some time for yourself to regain your strength, clarity, sense of direction and focus in life. You need to figure out who you are, where you want to go in life, and how you intend to get there. Only then can you honestly lay out your travel plans and find a suitable companion to join you on your journey trough life.

For some people this doesn’t take long, for others it takes much longer than people around them would like. Actually it is nobody else’s business how long you need for this process.

I do not advice you to ”come out” to your family, especially since you are striving to reconsider your position. If you do, your family will never look at you the same way again, even if you eventually choose a heterosexual life – you know that. Therefore ”coming out” is placing yourself in a corner, increasing the pressure which is already taking a serious toll on you, and making life unnecessarily difficult for yourself.

<< I really want to restore my faith and be happy and lead a normal life.>>

Know this. Once you seek God’s kingdom over you, everything else will fall into place. We do not possess the power to make ourselves, our family, or anyone else happy or miserable – only God possesses that power. His promise to us is that if we choose Him as our Lord and Master, He will provide for all our wants and needs. He will also provide for us the understanding of what is happening in our lives, that we may happily accept whatever is going on around us, and willingly submitting to the same. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Kind, the Most Just.

Once you repent and reform, ALL your past sins will turn into credits for you. You will start anew, and face life with support from an Almighty, Most Wise. 

[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

To stay on His path we need to nourish our souls, that our body and its desires looses its power and control over us. We actively do this by feeding our souls five times a day through Salat. To learn exactly how to perform the pure Salat which will immediately start your growth, see:

http://www.submission.org/salat
(or https://www.vasterasmoske.com/islam/salat.html)

We sincerely hope that our message to you can be instrumental in helping you find your way back to the straight path. We really want to help you with any other questions you may have about this issue. Stay with God. You are guaranteed success, happiness and victory this way.

Peace

Reply/Reply to the second e-mail

Salamun Alaykum,

<< i still am not sure if there is a guaranteed success in trying not to be homosexual …..>>

What we can tell you for sure is this – you are absolutely Guaranteed misery if you do Not try not to lead a homosexual life.

An allegory: If you find yourself walking around to find a certain location, and you come to a complete dead end, you automatically turn around and change direction. You do this even though you do not know exactly where that turn will lead you. This is simply the logical thing to do. Well, choosing to turn away from transgressing God’s direct commandments to us is like that.

<< i am willing to sacrifice everything only if i am sure that one day i will get there >>

When we send our children to school as they start out as innocent young hopefuls in life, should we tell them that they should only do their outmost if they were absolutely sure that they were going to successfully graduate from university?

Of course we wouldn’t tell them that. Because if we did we would stamp them before they even gave themselves a chance in life, and before they even started taking one small step at a time towards victory.  

So, if we wouldn’t tell children this, why should we tell ourselves such things. Well we shouldn’t. So I’m glad for this chance to remind you that you can choose better for yourself. You can At Least give yourself a chance. You deserve one. This is God’s decision about you, based on His knowledge about you, knowledge that you yourself don’t even have. That is why you are here on earth in the first place. Embrace this chance, thank God for this chance, and trust Him to lead you forward. All you need to do is to accept His invitation.

Since you are Willing to sacrifice Everything if you are guaranteed success, then doesn’t it make sense to sacrifice at lest some, even if it only allows you half the chance for eternal success and happiness, now and in the Hereafter?

<<….and the only way i can believe in it if i talk to a person who has been through this….if you know any such person please direct me to him…>>

You are talking to someone who has extensive experience in this area. If I didn’t feel confident to talk to you about these things, and didn’t believe that my experience could be useful and helpful to you, I wouldn’t talk to you this way.

<< There has to be a way out of this and i am sick of living as a fake and its making me divert to alcohol and drugs…..>>

How you feel about yourself is a choice you make. How you feel about what is happening to you in your life is a matter of how You interpret the situation. Are you seeing the positive or the negative? Are you seeing the obstacles or the possibilities?

God clearly tells us in the Quran that there is gain in pain (94:5).

If you make the decision to see yourself as a person who is entitled to privacy, and who draws the line when it comes to sharing certain thoughts and feelings, then you might not feel as pressured, uncomfortable and frightened when interacting with other people.

Some people live all their lives without sexual relations. Some people choose to live in celibacy for many years to clear their mind and sharpen their senses (I have no idea if this is true or not). I’m just telling you this to remind you that this area of our life is very flexible, and one that comes and goes for most people. It is also an area that should never be the focus of any relationship we have with other people. Our sexuality is just one aspect of us as human beings, and only one among hundreds of parts in our interaction with other people.

<< i have anxiety attacks and depression due to this……and i cannot bear with it anymore……please provide me with a clear answer…..a yes or a no… and not by quoting quranic verses….>>

Yes it is possible. You were not born with homosexual preference. Nobody is. This is a choice you make. As long as it is a choice, it is possible to change. It is very much within your reach, as all you need to do is talk this through with yourself until you come to the understanding and deep conviction inside your heart what is the right thing to do, and then decide to do it.

You must know this. When you say ”I”, you are actually talking about two entities. Your soul AND your jinn. Your jinn is all smiles as long as you stay confused, as his only job is to work you towards transgressing God’s laws. Meanwhile your soul is suffering immensely. This suffering which you are feeling so clearly is a strong signal to you that something is really wrong. Your soul is suffocating and it needs its nourishment and energy. This is the only way it can withstand your jinn, who lives inside you from birth(it is the same for all human beings). You feed your soul by observing the Salat prayer. This is why we strongly recommend that you start immediately by practicing this most important commandment. Again, you find an exact description of how to observe the PURE Salat on the following page:

http://www.submission.org/salat
(or https://www.vasterasmoske.com/islam/salat.html)

There is a prevalent misconception about observing the commandments among Muslims. We hear all the time that people choose not to make Salat because they do not feel worthy or pure enough to face God. This idea is completely against God’s instructions to us in the Quran. We are ALL sinners and impure, and in desperate need to observe the commandments to enable that purification to take place, that we may one day become worthy of standing in God’s presence again.

Thus, don’t worry about any confusion you have at this time, because regardless of where we are at in life, we NEED to feed our souls, just as much as we need to feed our bodies every day not to die. Imagine if you see someone who hasn’t eaten for five years. Can you envision that image? Well, imagine people that go through life NEVER feeding their real entities – their souls. What will they look like on the Day of Judgment? This is why God teaches us in the Quran that the guilty will be recognized by their looks immediately.

May God bless you for trying to turn your life around for the better. Most people never bother to even take a good look at what they are doing with their lives. Thus they live and die in oblivion. May God guide us all to do better.

Notis: Det följande är en reproduktion av artiklen ”Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriages: A Scriptural Perspective”

Recently there has been renewed debate on the question of allowing same-sex marriages. The discussion has centered on various aspects including civil rights, genetic pre-disposition and religious perceptions. In this article, the issue is addressed primarily from a religious standpoint, i.e. whether same-sex marriages are acceptable in God’s eyes. Relevant to same-sex marriages is a discussion on the scriptural prohibition of homosexuality, and the unfortunate persecution of those openly gay.

Homosexuality

The traditional belief in Judaism, Christianity and Islam is that God forbids homosexuality, and therefore same-sex marriages as well. For example, in the Old Testament, Genesis 19, we see the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot implores the people of his town not to act wickedly and to leave his male guests alone. The story goes on to describe the persistence of the townsfolk in wishing to indulge in homosexuality and the subsequent annihilation of the two communities. Other verses in the Old Testament also prohibit homosexuality, e.g. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13. In the New Testament, we see similar proscriptions in I Corinthians 6:9, I Timothy 1:8-10, Romans 1:26-27 (the translation used is the New American Standard Bible).

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. [Leviticus 18:22]

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-10]

For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. [Romans 1:26-27]

In the Quran, we see reference to homosexuality in the story of Lot (the translation used is Quran: The Final Testament, translated by Dr. Rashad Khalifa).

Lot: Homosexuality Condemned

Lot said to his people, “You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before! You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.” His people responded by saying, “Evict them from your town. They are people who wish to be pure.” [7:80-82]

Lot said to his people, “How could you commit such an abomination, publicly, while you see? You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are ignorant people.” The only response from his people was their saying, “Banish Lot’s family from your town; they are people who wish to be pure.” [27:54-56]

While liberal interpretations suggest a contextual limitation on the prohibition of sexual activities between members of the same gender, the verses themselves are quite direct in their condemnation of the behavior. Some people argue that, “God created humans with a certain sexual preference, hence there cannot be sin in it; the verses therefore must be limited in their applicability.” Medical research on the genetic predisposition for homosexual behavior is far from conclusive. In any case, God prohibits it. Therefore, even if such a genetic link were found, the argument against it would be similar to that against consumption of alcohol or gambling. The latter two are associated with the make-up of one’s genes, but that does not make them acceptable in God’s eyes. In fact, much the same as homosexuality, God terms intoxicants and gambling as abominations of the devil (Quran 5:90). As such, we must refrain from any behavior that God commands against. While we may be inclined to sin; the test is to remain steadfast.

Is one who recognizes that your Lord’s revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed. They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant. They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning. They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode. [Quran 13:19-22]

You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent, who believe that they will meet their Lord; that to Him they ultimately return. [Quran 2:45-46]

Marriage

The advocates of same-sex marriages point out that the scriptures do not expressly prohibit a marriage between members of the same gender. In light of the prohibition of homosexuality, this argument does not have much utility. Also, for those who follow God’s scriptures, marriage is a divine institution (Quran 30:20-21). The scriptural references to marriage always suggest a union of a man and a woman, e.g. Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9, Quran 7:189, etc.

Marriage: A Divine Institution

Among His proofs is that He created you from dust, then you became reproducing humans. Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think. [Quran 30:20-21]

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. [Mark 10:6-9]

Proponents of same-sex marriages argue that this scriptural restriction deprives them of enjoying equal rights under the law. Married couples typically enjoy tax, medical, inheritance and other benefits which are denied to same-sex partners. The problem here is one of financial and procedural difficulties that same-sex marriage partners endure. These issues are relevant to human laws and are addressable by the law-making bodies. This also serves to highlight the fact that religious and civil unions are two separable entities. God defines religious unions and lays down what constitutes a marriage in His eyes. Consequently, a woman and a man may fulfill the requirements specified in the scripture (e.g. mutual attraction and dowry—Quran 4:24) and be a married couple by God’s rules, but may not necessarily be recognized as a couple by the state.

Sexual Preference and Persecution

An unfortunate repercussion of homosexuality is mistreatment by fanatics. Regardless of the view one has of same-sex marriages, there is no justification for persecution of those with homosexual leanings. God gives human beings freedom of religion (Quran 2:256; 18:29). We cannot take that away from them. Instead, we can inform them of God’s teachings and invite and debate in the best possible manner (Quran 16:125).

Absolute Freedom of Religion

Proclaim: “This is the truth from your Lord,” then whoever wills let him believe, and whoever wills let him disbelieve. We have prepared for the transgressors a fire that will completely surround them. When they scream for help, they will be given a liquid like concentrated acid that scalds the faces. What a miserable drink! What a miserable destiny! [Quran 18:29]

How to Spread God’s Message

You shall invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones. [Quran 16:125]

Perhaps the question of social oppression is easier to understand in light of other prohibitions by God. Since homosexuality is referred to as an abomination (Leviticus 18:22, Quran 7:80-81), let us examine a few other sins termed as abominations.

Intoxicants and Gambling Prohibited

O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and the altars of idols, and the games of chance are abominations of the devil; you shall avoid them, that you may succeed. [Quran 5:90]

O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? Most abominable in the sight of GOD is that you say what you do not do. [Quran 61:2-3]

Of these, idol-worship is the most deadly sin, and the only unforgivable offence (Quran 4:48, 116) if maintained until death. Intoxicants, gambling, games of chance and hypocrisy are also listed as abominations, as is eating food upon which the name of God is not mentioned (Quran 6:121). However, those who commit these sins are not persecuted by society. Instead their judgment is left to God.

To conclude, we observe that same-sex marriages and homosexuality are prohibited by God’s religions. This is made clear in the Old Testament, New Testament and the Final Testament (Quran).