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.