Author: Ismail Sarani
Homosexuality (Part Two)
Homosexuality from the Perspective of the Quran
The condemnation of homosexuality is mentioned in various places in the Quran. Allah Almighty introduces the people of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) as the first to commit this act. Let’s examine the verses that address this issue. Allah Almighty says: «إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِنْ دُونِ النِّسَاءِ ۚ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُسْرِفُونَ»”Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.”
Summary of the Interpretation: “And (We sent) Lut (peace be upon him) as a prophet to several towns, when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit such a heinous act that none of the people of the world has done before you? Indeed, you lust after men instead of women. (You do this) not out of ignorance, but rather you have exceeded the limits of humanity.’ In response, his people gave no reasonable answer except that they foolishly said among themselves: ‘Expel them (Lut and his believing companions) from your town. They are a people who seek to remain pure, and they make us appear impure and filthy. So why should the pure live among the impure?'”
Abu Hayyan (may Allah have mercy on him) states, “Since the ugliness of this act was known to humanity and its detestability was apparent through reason, the (Alf الف) and (Lam,لام) in the word (الفاحشة)indicates that they were the first to commit and invent this vile act.”
Amro ibn Dinar (may Allah have mercy on him) emphasizes that “no society before the people of Lut had witnessed a man approaching another man sexually.”
Abu Sa’ud (may Allah have mercy on him) notes, “The mention of the word(شهوة) points to their sheer animalistic nature and indicates that the purpose of rational human beings in sexual relations should be the desire for offspring and the continuation of the lineage, not merely the satisfaction of lust.”
The Umayyad Caliph Walid ibn Abd al-Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) remarked, “If the incident of the people of Lut had not been mentioned in the Quran, it would not have been conceivable that a human could commit such an act.”
Hadiths
There are many hadiths related to homosexuality, and a few will be mentioned here.
In a narration from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: “Allah Almighty cursed seven of His creatures above the seven heavens, cursing one of them three times, while the others were cursed once. He said: ‘Cursed, cursed, cursed is the one who commits the act of the people of Lut (sodomy and fulfilling lust with men).'”
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) also reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned, “There are four groups who wake up in the anger and wrath of Allah Almighty and go to sleep in His displeasure.” When asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who are they?” he replied: “Men who resemble women, women who resemble men, those who have intercourse with animals, and those who commit the act of Lut with men.”
Additionally, Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Kill both participants in homosexual acts.”
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) relayed that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated regarding someone who commits the act of the people of Lut: “The active and passive participants should both be killed.”
