Islam & LGBTQ Issues

This document was prepared for SHURA 2023 to address common questions surrounding Islam's perspective on LGBTQ issues. Each answer draws from Quranic verses, Hadith, and guidance from Islamic scholarship.

Why does Islam have rules regarding homosexuality?

In current times, the idea that we can choose whoever we want to 'love' is considered a deeply personal choice — so why is Islam concerned about same-sex partners?

Islamic teachings and principles provide a holistic way of life for us to achieve our ultimate purpose: recognizing our Creator. In that regard, the teachings of Islam are meant for the individual, the family unit, and extend to larger society as well.

What does the Quran say about homosexuality?

Islam considers same-sex marriages to be invalid; thus all homosexual activity is extra-marital. Islam forbids all sexual activity outside of marriage, and therefore homosexual acts are considered sins. Allah states in the Quran:

"And We sent Lot — when he said to his people, 'Do you commit an abomination such as no one in the world ever did before you? You approach men with lust instead of women. Nay, you are a people who exceed all bounds.' And the answer of his people was no other than that they said, 'Turn them out of your town, for they are men who would keep pure.' And We saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who stayed behind. And We rained upon them a rain. Now see, what was the end of the sinners!" — Surah al-A'raf, 7:81–85

The people of the Prophet Lot began practicing homosexuality as a cultural norm, because of which they incurred the wrath of Allah. From this verse we can clearly see that homosexuality is a trait that incurs the wrath of Allah.

Sources YouTube — Islamic Viewpoint (10:00–28:00) Al Islam — Islamic Viewpoint on Contemporary Issues

Is homosexuality a punishable sin?

The Holy Quran assigns no punishment for homosexuality. Rather, it assigns a punishment for lewdness in general (including same-sex relations) conditioned on four witnesses:

"And as for those of your women who are guilty of an abomination, call four witnesses from among you against them; and if they bear witness, then confine them to the houses until death overtakes them or Allah opens for them a way. And if two men from among you are guilty of it, punish them both. And if they repent and amend, then leave them alone; surely, Allah is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful." — Surah an-Nisa', 4:16–17

These verses speak of homosexuality, which is separate from fornication/adultery mentioned elsewhere in the Holy Quran. The verses assign temporary house arrest for women only if 4 witnesses are present. The 4-witness stipulation makes it obvious that punishment is only for public acts of lewdness that can impact larger society.

For men the punishment is to be determined by society, and the 4-witness requirement is not listed because generally men are more visible in society. However, it is important to note that the word used 'faazoohuma' can refer to a social boycott — a public admonition but not physical harm.

Both of these punishments are assigned while leaving open the possibility of forgiveness from the punishment. Any narration attributed to the Holy Prophet (saw) that adds or subtracts from this punishment cannot be accepted because it raises objection to the perfection of Allah Almighty's own teachings.

These punishments are not foreign to western society — rather, public displays of heterosexual or homosexual sex are punishable by law. Western society itself imposes these laws on the basis of morality. In principle, both western society and Islam enforce a basic standard of modesty. There is only a difference in degree, in that Islam promotes a higher degree of modesty.

Sources Ask A Murabbi — Why is Homosexuality Forbidden in Islam? YouTube (1:45–13:45)

What does Islam say about homosexuality and society?

Hazrat Khalifa tul Masih V, during his visit to Canada, expressed the opinion that there is only a tiny minority that are inclined to such tendencies (homosexual behavior), but when these actions are given legal protection, this behavior proliferates. More and more younger people get entangled into such activities when it becomes an acceptable part of the school curriculum.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V raised this point with Mr. Stephen Harper, the current Prime Minister of Canada. His Holiness warned that by letting homosexual behaviors flourish, nations are heading towards self-destruction. If 50% of a nation develop such tendencies then that nation is unlikely to survive. Adoption of children is not an answer to that.

Sources Review of Religions — Khalifah of the Promised Messiah Visits Canada

My friend is gay/lesbian — what should I do?

Hazrat Khalifat ul Masih V mentioned:

"Similarly, I was also asked what our reaction would be if an Ahmadi said he was gay and in response, I said that we would not stop them coming to the Mosque. However, because homosexuality is against Islamic teaching, we would try, due to our concern and love for that person, to explain why Islam considered it to be wrong." — Hazrat Khalifat ul Masih V

What is the cause of homosexual behavior?

There is no consensus on how sexual orientation develops. However, studies have shown that there is a small impact our genetics have on sexual orientation; our genetics cannot be used as a predictor for homosexual behavior.

A recent study showed that the cause of homosexuality cannot be mapped to one or even a few number of genes. Family based studies in twins have also corroborated this — showing that genetics only play a small role and other environmental factors are at play as well.

The study published in Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.aat7693) further elaborated these findings.

Hasn't homosexuality been observed in other species?

Incest is also observed in animals — alpha male Lions frequently impregnate their daughter lionesses in the pride. Just because a behavior is seen in animals doesn't make it appropriate for humans.

The Quran has mentioned humans as Ashraful-Makhlooqat — the noblest of creation. Humans have been given the unique faculties of intellect and free will, allowing them to discern right from wrong and make moral choices. This capability makes them accountable for their actions and grants them superiority over other creations:

"Indeed, We have created man in the best of stature." — Surah At-Tin, 95:5