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from Theological Issues
The Muslim View Of Homosexuality
By Roy Waller
In an article entitled, "Homosexuality in a
Changing World: Are We Being Misinformed?" the
Health and Science editor of IslamOnline.net
describes the Muslim view of homosexuality and the
ways in which recent, politicized research has
attempted to undercut its force.
The February 17, 2003 edition of IslamOnline.net
features an article incorporating both the
religious and cultural basis of Islam's stance
against same-sex relationships and support for its
position by the work of Drs. Joseph Nicolosi and
N.E. Whitehead, as well as other material
published by NARTH.
The informative piece was written by the website's
Health and Science editor, Dr. Nadia El-Awady, who
opens an important window into the views held on
this subject by the one-seventh of the world's
population that adheres to the Muslim religion.
The article begins with the fact that there are
gay Muslim groups just as adamant as their
Christian and Jewish counterparts in declaring
that their holy scriptures and religious
philosophy do not oppose homosexuality. This
argument is directly challenged by Dr. Yusuf
Al-Qaradawi, described by El-Awady as a highly
esteemed Islamic scholar. Al-Qaradawi states that
Islamic beliefs are squarely against gay
relationships because Allah created opposites to
attract including the attraction between man and
woman as the means to continue the existence of
the human species. He then goes on to quote
several passages from the Koran:
"Of all the creatures in the world, will ye
approach males, And leave those whom Allah has
created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a
people transgressing (all limits)!" (26:165-166).
"Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather
than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly)
ignorant!" (27:55).
"For ye practise your lusts on men in preference
to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing
beyond bounds." (7:81). "And we rained down on
them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was
the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!"
(7:84). "He said: "O my Lord! help Thou me
against people who do mischief!"" (29:30).
These passages refer to the People of Lut in the
Koran, whose behavior and the condemnation of God
upon it are remarkably similar to Sodom and
Gomorrah in the Biblical Book of Genesis.
Other points of interest covered by Dr. Al Qaradawi include:
- Regarding the vocal nature of the gay Muslim
groups, Islam teaches very strongly that sexual
acts are to remain a matter of strict privacy, not
to be discussed with other persons.
- Sins are to remain a matter for private
repentance between God and the one who commits
them.
- Sodomy is prohibited between men and women,
thus it stands to reason that such activities
between males would also be precluded.
Science, however, is the major focus of Dr.
El-Awady's article. In addition to her citation
of Dr. Nicolosi's work on psychological and
sociological factors as the probable major origins
of early same-sex attraction, she also addresses
Neil Whitehead's work on the genetic study of
twins, as well as NARTH studies on the biological
and moral aspects of homosexuality as an abnormal
condition.
The author also discusses important medical
factors involved in the homosexual lifestyle,
including HIV-AIDS, other sexually transmitted
diseases, and such illnesses as cancer and
Hodgkin's Disease as caused by AIDS.
The combination of the religious and philosophical
point of view from a quarter not usually included
in either side of the issue, as well as the rather
comprehensive psychological and scientific studies
quoted and discussed make this a very useful
contribution to the on-going dialogue on
homosexuality. The article is available at:
www.islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2003/02/Article01.shtml.
Updated: 3 September 2008
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