In the following page you will find 6 interviews with Muslims/potential Muslims who identify as homosexual/bisexual. Although traditionally - throughout Islamic history - Muslims with homoerotic desires and practices have had to keep a low profile or employ a "don't ask, don't tell" prerogative. Muslim homosexuals and bisexuals exist and have for centuries. There is also evidence of such relationships embedded within Islamic literature and poetry.
This post will not serve as justification for arguments either way. Although for many mainstream Muslims the argument is clear and there should be no further discussion, I believe it's important we note that not ALL Muslims feel the same way about the discourse around homosexuality and bisexuality in Islam.
One of my future goals is to informally research the history of homosexuality in Islam. In the time being, here are the resources I would use when I begin my research:
*Comments are moderated for this post. The author of this blog reserves the right to delete comments that are derogatory, threatening or offensive in nature.
*The content of the interviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author of this blog
Interviews can be found here.
This post will not serve as justification for arguments either way. Although for many mainstream Muslims the argument is clear and there should be no further discussion, I believe it's important we note that not ALL Muslims feel the same way about the discourse around homosexuality and bisexuality in Islam.
One of my future goals is to informally research the history of homosexuality in Islam. In the time being, here are the resources I would use when I begin my research:
- Homosexuality in Islam by Scott Kugle
- Sexual Ethics and Islam by Kecia Ali (Chapter 5)
- Before Homosexuality in the Arab-Islamic World 1500-1800 by Khaled El-Rouahyeb
- Imaan LGBTIQ Muslim Support Group (London)
- Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History and Literature by Will Roscoe and Stephen Murray
- Homosexuality and Islam by Hephaestus Books
- Short documentary on LGBT Iraqis, Gay MiddleEast Project
- Coming Out Twice: Sexuality and Gender in Islam
- Daayiee Abdullah: Being Out And Being Muslim
- Islam and Homosexuality by Samar Habib
- Allah, Liberty and Love by Irshad Manji
- Gay Muslim Scholar Shunned by the Faithful
- Female Homosexuality in the Middle East by Samar Habib
- A Jihad for Love: First lengthy Documentary to explore Islam and homosexuality in 12 different countries by Parvez Sharma
- Arabo-Islamic Text on Female Homosexuality (850-1780 AD) by Samar Habib
- Top Secret: Sexual Guidance for Married Couples by Wedad Lootah
- Eye on Gay Muslims
- Resources for LGBTIQ Muslims and Allies
- Battling for Gay Rights, in Allah's Name by Karl Huus
- LGBT Muslim Retreat (scheduled for summer 2012)
- Muslim LGBT Inclusion Project, a report by Intersections International
- Pink Crescents: Being Gay and Muslim
- Eid: Being LGBT and Muslim by El-Farouk Khaki
- Salaam Queer Muslim Community
- Al-Fatiha Foundation
- Youtube Diaries of a Gay Pakistani Shia Muslim
- A Gay Marriage in Ireland Causes a Stir
1) Humanize Muslim LGBTIQ
2) Refute claims they don't exist
3) Demonstrate that LGBTIQ Muslims are INDEED Muslim and there are no contradictions [sexual orientation doesn't affect one's religious identity]
4) Support Muslims confused about their sexual orientation and offer them resources and a safe online community for support.
*Comments are moderated for this post. The author of this blog reserves the right to delete comments that are derogatory, threatening or offensive in nature.
*The content of the interviews do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author of this blog
Interviews can be found here.
Posts
15 reflections:
Can I just say that I'm totally in love with this post? Well, I am. That is all.
I read it all. I'm just confused about one particular issue and I need to confirm this.
Is this thing something one simply can't help? It's just there, and it cannot disappear?
The reason why I'm asking this is, that if something is prohibited in Islam, then that matter automatically is one in which we have a choice.
It's kinda like, nobody will be punished for being a female, or a male. Because that's something we can't help.
Can anybody please shed some light on this?
Insightful post, Organica. Thanks. [And a bigger thanks to the ones who came out with their stories]
Assalamu'alaikum!
Your last point was eye-opening, "Support Muslims confused about their sexual orientation and offer them resources and a safe online community for support."
With any Muslim, regardless of their personal behavior or beliefs, we should always be welcoming and provide them with the support that is needed. It is not our duty to judge them...it is our duty to be a brother/sister to them because they are Muslim at the end of the day...and that is all that we should be concerned with.
I have always treated all homosexuals I have come into contact with kindly and with respect regardless of religious affiliation. But...I do know that in my mind and my heart I have been judgemental. Thanks for helping me see it in a different light!
May we all attain the akhlaq (manners) of the Prophet (saw) with all of humanity...and move away from ignorance by worrying about ourselves and not others. Ameen.
I am also in love with this post. Organica, thank you so much for doing this - it is so important. I have appreciated all of your posts lately so much.
And Uni, speaking for myself and I think for many others like me who are not heterosexual, I think that almost all LGBT individuals would say that their sexuality is something that they cannot change, something they were born with. As you say, they can't help it. They may try and try to change it, but that does not work.
Allah SWT says:
وَاللَّذَانَ يَأْتِيَانِهَا مِنكُمْ فَآذُوهُمَا فَإِن تَابَا وَأَصْلَحَا فَأَعْرِضُواْ عَنْهُمَا إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ تَوَّاباً رَّحِيماً [النساء : 16,15] "
Allah SWT says:
{ وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّن الْعَالَمِينَ * إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِّن دُونِ النِّسَاء بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُونَ }
Prophet Muhammad PBUH says:
((..وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ وَلَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ))
Prophet Muhammad PBUH says:
((لَا يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَى رَجُلٍ أَتَى رَجُلًا أَوْ امْرَأَةً فِي الدُّبُرِ))
IT'S CLEAR: Homosexuals in Islam are Muslims but they're doing that while it's prohibited in Islam. Islam sees that as ILLEGAL.
This is not the Islam I know, not the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or Sahaba (RAA).
I'm sad to hear this from a Muslim girl, really sad
Hmmm....I guess anyone can be a Muslim by name alone.
anonymous, explain what you mean "by name alone" because I'm not sure I get you. care to elaborate?
When someone says that they are a Muslim, they should have the intentions of following the practices and preachings of Islam. That clearly means that they should engage in heterosexual intercourse after they are married. For the people who participated in the survey and said they engaged in homosexual activities....they strayed from the confines of what is acceptable. Sure they're still Muslims by name b/c that's the religion they identify with...but are they practicing it's values....No. So that what I meant by "name alone"...Muslims who are not practicing. I'm not sure why people belive it is okay to give into temptations and feel that Allah " will understand."I hope that the people that have these feelings but have yet to act on them will strengthen their will and fight the shaytan who is trying to lead them astray.
Organica,
Bless you for addressing an issue that gets ignored and dismissed in most religions, not just Islam. I think an appropriate way to think of it in terms of religion is: even if it is considered a sin by Islam or Christianity or whatever, it depends on the person. Some people struggle with lying, some people fornicate, some people struggle with their sexuality. No one is better than anyone else and we all sin. People have different weaknesses and it's sad to see individuals crying out for help condemned for something they truly feel like they can't control.
@Anonymous: The values of islam go far, far beyond just sexual orientation. For example we are also not supposed to judge or condemn others to the wrath of God and just stay concerned with our own short comings... so since you are judging others on their "choice" of sexuality then doesn't that make you also "muslim by name alone" after all you are dropping an islamic value!?
The muslim community needs provide an inclusive environment for all people who practice islam and believe in the shahadah. We all just try our best and we all have short comings. It is not up to us to judge but it is up to us to try our best and help others on their path to God regardless of whether or not they fit into our boxes.
Just want to mention that there are some Muslims out there who acknowledge that homosexuality among Muslims exists (and share that they have such tendencies) and that it is human to do so. These Muslims though do not necessarily act on these inclinations. This site has some great support and information: http://gaymuslims.org/
homosexuality doesn´t exist on mankind alone. boiologist reported about 1500 species of animals, who engage in homosexual behavior.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animals_displaying_homosexual_behavior
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/10/23/20718.aspx)
-penguins for example. they live in long term monogamous homosexual relationships within a big groups of penguions(so they could have chosen an female penguin)sometime they take eggs, which fell of a nest of other penguin couples and nurse them, until the little penguin hatch-they act as a "normal" penguin couple. and if you vistit a zoo, sometime there are gay penguins too.
so, homosexuality is normal. its no choice, either your born homosexual or your not-so it cant be a sin, becaus god never made people sinful-they can comit sinful acts-but they cant be. most homosexuals felt "it" as a child the first time and children are consideres as sinless-untill they become adult and sexual. it would be cruel, if god created a person homosexual and the punishes him for his bomosexual behavior.
so, i think, its a sin if you do so out of a marriage,if you rape or something like that-but being homosexuial cant be a sin-this is my opinion.
and sorry for my english, i am german..
http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/eyes-of-islam/33905-homosexuality-the-islamic-viewpoint-2 Homosexuality: The Islamic viewpoint
Muslimah and Islamophobe http://www.altmuslimah.com/a/b/spa/4557/
Assalam O Alaikum, for those who are here to justify homosexuality and don't think it's a disease then, what should we expect tomorrow. We should allow homosexual marriages and treat them as normal? Right, so where do we draw the line; if every one wants to follow their own Islam then why make a big fuss about teachings of Islam.
@Organica, I am not surprised by your views, I respect them but I don't agree with them. Blog can make someone famous in this world but I would be careful as not to be carrying some extra luggage in Akhirah.
Thanks and when you have time please think and implore. Allah (swt) can change hearts any time but only condition is that they have the thrust or will to change
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