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{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=2|References=3}} | [[Category:Islam and Homosexuality]] | ||
[[Category:Islamic Law]] | |||
[[Category:Sex]] | |||
{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=2|References=3}}Practicing homosexuality is considered a sin in Islam and is punishable under [[Islamic Law|Islamic law]], which is derived from the [[Qur'an|Quran]] and [[Hadith]] (accounts of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] life). | |||
Practicing homosexuality is considered a sin in Islam and is punishable under [[Islamic Law|Islamic law]], which is derived from the [[Qur'an|Quran]] and [[Hadith]] (accounts of [[Muhammad|Muhammad's]] life). | |||
==In Islamic law== | ==In Islamic law== | ||
The four [[Sunni]] [[Madhab|schools of jurisprudence]] all agree that practicing homosexuality is an egregious crime that earns an especially harsh [[Punishments|punishment]], although the schools vary regarding what exactly this punishment should be. In the Hanafi school, the practicing homosexual is to be beat harshly and then executed if they persist. In the Shafi'i school, the practicing homosexual is punished in the same manner as one who engages in [[Zina|illegal intercourse (''zina'')]] - that is, they are lashed 100 times if unmarried and stoned to death if married. Some scholars, referencing the practices of the four [[Rashidun Caliphs|Rightly-Guided (''Rashidun'') Caliphs]], hold that the practicing homosexual should be thrown off of a tall building.<ref>[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545556 Fatwa Bank: Death Fall as Punishment for Homosexuality] - Islam Online, July 22, 2002</ref> Others, referencing the Quran, maintain that the homosexual should be imprisoned until they die. Still others, also referencing the Quran, maintain that practicing homosexuals should in all cases be stoned to death.<ref>"''So when Our punishment came upon the people of Lut, We turned the city upside down and showered them with stones of baked clay, one after another.''" - {{Quran|11|82}}</ref> Yet another view is that while the passive party in the male homosexual act should be killed in all cases, the active party escapes execution if unmarried and is to be lashed 100 times.<ref>See the chapter on "hudud" in Sharaya and Sharh Lum'a also al-Khu'i, Takmilah, p. 42-44.</ref> Some scholars also suggest that homosexual, when executed, should be beheaded rather than stoned. | The four [[Sunni]] [[Madhab|schools of jurisprudence]] all agree that practicing homosexuality is an egregious crime that earns an especially harsh [[Punishments|punishment]], although the schools vary regarding what exactly this punishment should be. In the Hanafi school, the practicing homosexual is to be beat harshly and then executed if they persist. In the Shafi'i school, the practicing homosexual is punished in the same manner as one who engages in [[Zina|illegal intercourse (''zina'')]] - that is, they are lashed 100 times if unmarried and stoned to death if married. Some scholars, referencing the practices of the four [[Rashidun Caliphs|Rightly-Guided (''Rashidun'') Caliphs]], hold that the practicing homosexual should be thrown off of a tall building.<ref>[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545556 Fatwa Bank: Death Fall as Punishment for Homosexuality] - Islam Online, July 22, 2002</ref> Others, referencing the Quran, maintain that the homosexual should be imprisoned until they die. Still others, also referencing the Quran, maintain that practicing homosexuals should in all cases be stoned to death.<ref>"''So when Our punishment came upon the people of Lut, We turned the city upside down and showered them with stones of baked clay, one after another.''" - {{Quran|11|82}}</ref> Yet another view is that while the passive party in the male homosexual act should be killed in all cases, the active party escapes execution if unmarried and is to be lashed 100 times.<ref>See the chapter on "hudud" in Sharaya and Sharh Lum'a also al-Khu'i, Takmilah, p. 42-44.</ref> Some scholars also suggest that homosexual, when executed, should be beheaded rather than stoned. | ||
==In the Muslim world== | ==In the Muslim world== | ||
Some modern academics have argued that the blame for the Islamic hostility towards homosexuality is due to "the adoption of European Victorian attitudes by the new Westernized elite."<ref>El-Rouayheb, 2005, p. 156</ref> For more than a thousand years, however, the Islamic tradition has drawn its views on homosexuality from the accounts of Muhammad's perspective found in the hadith, for Muhammad is described in the Quran (the word of Allah) as [[Uswa Hasana|'the perfect example' (''uswa hasana'')]] for all of humankind. Muhammad instructed, "''If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.''”<ref>"''Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.''" - {{Abudawud|38|4447}}</ref> He also condemned the mere “appearance” of homosexuality, when he cursed effeminate men and masculine women and ordered his followers to ''"Turn them out of your houses."''<ref>"''Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet cursed effeminate men (those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners of women) and those women who assume the manners of men, and he said, "Turn them out of your houses ." The Prophet turned out such-and-such man, and 'Umar turned out such-and-such woman.''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|774}}</ref> This ruling on homosexuals was naturally adopted by his later successors. The father of [[Aisha]] and Muhammad’s first successor, [[Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman|Abu Bakr]], had a homosexual burned at the stake. The fourth Rightly-Guided [[Caliph]], Muhammad’s son-in-law [[Ali ibn Abi Talib|Ali]], ordered homosexuals to be stoned, and even had one thrown from the minaret of a mosque.<ref>Serge Trifkovic - [http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=20145 Islam's Love-Hate Relationship with Homosexuality] - FrontPageMag, January 24, 2003</ref> These events pre-date any sort of Western influence on Islamic thought and have since shaped the Islamic perspective on homosexuals in religious contexts. This said, the individual and even societal perspectives of Muslims, irrespective of the views and practices of the Islamic establishment, have, of course, varied through time. | Some modern academics have argued that the blame for the Islamic hostility towards homosexuality is due to "the adoption of European Victorian attitudes by the new Westernized elite."<ref>El-Rouayheb, 2005, p. 156</ref> For more than a thousand years, however, the Islamic tradition has drawn its views on homosexuality from the accounts of Muhammad's perspective found in the hadith, for Muhammad is described in the Quran (the word of Allah) as [[Uswa Hasana|'the perfect example' (''uswa hasana'')]] for all of humankind. Muhammad instructed, "''If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.''”<ref>"''Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.''" - {{Abudawud|38|4447}}</ref> He also condemned the mere “appearance” of homosexuality, when he cursed effeminate men and masculine women and ordered his followers to ''"Turn them out of your houses."''<ref>"''Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet cursed effeminate men (those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners of women) and those women who assume the manners of men, and he said, "Turn them out of your houses ." The Prophet turned out such-and-such man, and 'Umar turned out such-and-such woman.''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|774}}</ref> This ruling on homosexuals was naturally adopted by his later successors. The father of [[Aisha]] and Muhammad’s first successor, [[Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman|Abu Bakr]], had a homosexual burned at the stake. The fourth Rightly-Guided [[Caliph]], Muhammad’s son-in-law [[Ali ibn Abi Talib|Ali]], ordered homosexuals to be stoned, and even had one thrown from the minaret of a mosque.<ref>Serge Trifkovic - [http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=20145 Islam's Love-Hate Relationship with Homosexuality] - FrontPageMag, January 24, 2003</ref> These events pre-date any sort of Western influence on Islamic thought and have since shaped the Islamic perspective on homosexuals in religious contexts. This said, the individual and even societal perspectives of Muslims, irrespective of the views and practices of the Islamic establishment, have, of course, varied through time. | ||
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In Indonesia, due to growing pressure from the conservative Islamic population, some local authorities were given permission to use Islamic laws, criminalizing homosexuality.<ref>[http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Indonesia/view/IDN/gay-indonesia-news-and-reports-2#article9 Muslim Communities Thwart Indonesian Protections For Gays] - 365Gay.com, October 4, 2006</ref> Attempts to legalize homosexuality in India have been stifled by Islamic clerics who maintain that "Homosexuality is an offence under Sharia Law and haram (prohibited) in Islam," and that "Legalization of homosexuality is an attack on Indian religious and moral values."<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Muslim-leaders-join-Deoband-slam-gay-sex/articleshow/4723843.cms After Deoband, other Muslim leaders condemn homosexuality] - Times of India, July 1, 2009</ref> | In Indonesia, due to growing pressure from the conservative Islamic population, some local authorities were given permission to use Islamic laws, criminalizing homosexuality.<ref>[http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Indonesia/view/IDN/gay-indonesia-news-and-reports-2#article9 Muslim Communities Thwart Indonesian Protections For Gays] - 365Gay.com, October 4, 2006</ref> Attempts to legalize homosexuality in India have been stifled by Islamic clerics who maintain that "Homosexuality is an offence under Sharia Law and haram (prohibited) in Islam," and that "Legalization of homosexuality is an attack on Indian religious and moral values."<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Muslim-leaders-join-Deoband-slam-gay-sex/articleshow/4723843.cms After Deoband, other Muslim leaders condemn homosexuality] - Times of India, July 1, 2009</ref> | ||
===Treatment of homosexuals=== | ===Treatment of homosexuals=== | ||
The following are excerpts on homosexuality, taken from the Saudi Ministry of Education Textbooks for Islamic Studies:{{Quote|1=[http://www.hudson.org/files/pdf_upload/Excerpts_from_Saudi_Textbooks_715.pdf Saudi Ministry of Education Textbooks for Islamic Studies: 2007-2008 Academic Year]<BR>Center for Religious Freedom of Hudson Institute|2="Homosexuality is one of the most disgusting sins and greatest crimes.... It is a vile perversion that goes against sound nature, and is one of the most corrupting and hideous sins.... The punishment for homosexuality is death. Both the active and passive participants are to be killed whether or not they have previously had sexual intercourse in the context of a legal marriage.... Some of the companions of the Prophet stated that [the perpetrator] is to be burned with fire. It has also been said that he should be stoned, or thrown from a high place."}}Whereas the admission of LGBT rights is now mainstream in western societies, religious and governmental authorities in much of the Muslim world maintain that LGBT persons should either be executed to subjected to harsh punishment. | |||
Exact figures are hard to determine, due to the political turmoil in many Muslim-majority states, but as of 2009 homosexual relationships, acts or behavior are forbidden in approximately thirty-six Islamic countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen, with punishments including anything from a fine up to life imprisonment.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_issues_and_Islam#Homosexuality_laws_in_Muslim_countries Homosexuality laws in Muslim countries] - Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2009</ref><ref name="IL2">H. Tavakoli - [http://www.iranian.com/Letters/1999/September/gay.html The New Dark Ages] - The Iranian,September 20, 1999</ref> Ten of those countries out of the thirty-six impose the death penalty for homosexuals, these are: Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and some states in Malaysia.<ref>Sean Yoong - [http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/malaysia/mynews033.htm Malaysian State Legislature Passes Bill on Strict Islamic Criminal Code] - Associated Press, July 8, 2002</ref> | |||
According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name="IL2" /> Where Muslim majority nations have legalized homosexuality, members of the LGBT community often fall victim to vigilantes who take Islamic law into their own hand. Iraq, for instance, despite not having any official laws discriminating against same-sex relationships, is at the same time host to death squads which operate throughout the country killing gays and lesbians (as well as effeminate men and masculine women suspected of homosexuality) on sight, killing, in one case, sixty-eight gay and trans-gendered men in the space of four months. These vigilante executions have often been carried out in torturous and humiliating ways, such as by having the victims' anuses glued shut, followed by induced and ultimately fatal diarrhea.<ref>Ben Lando - [http://www.iraqoilreport.com/security-conflict/iraqi-gay-community-a-target-1950/ Iraqi gay community a target] - Iraq Oil Report, July 9, 2009</ref><ref>[http://iglhrc.wordpress.com/2009/04/20/iraq-torture-cruel-inhuman-and-degrading-treatment-of-lgbt-people/ Iraq: Torture, Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment of LGBT People] - International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, April 20, 2009</ref> | |||
According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name=" | |||
In Turkey, there is widespread persecution and violence against homosexuals and [[Persecution of Non-Muslims|non-Muslim minorities]], with eleven gays being killed in the first half of 2009 .<ref>[http://www.ilmediterraneo.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1657&lang=en&Itemid=7 Homosexuals in Turkey: Istanbul week for gay rights] - ANSAmed, June 24, 2009</ref> A survey released in November of 2009 found that 67% of Turks "would continue acting in accordance with their religious beliefs if the Parliament passed a law that contradicted religious laws" where as a minority, 26%, "would obey the country’s law in this case".<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=8216religion-loves-tolerance-but-is-not-tolerant8217-2009-11-17 'Religion loves tolerance, but is not tolerant'] - Hürriyet Daily News, November 17, 2009</ref> | In Turkey, there is widespread persecution and violence against homosexuals and [[Persecution of Non-Muslims|non-Muslim minorities]], with eleven gays being killed in the first half of 2009 .<ref>[http://www.ilmediterraneo.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1657&lang=en&Itemid=7 Homosexuals in Turkey: Istanbul week for gay rights] - ANSAmed, June 24, 2009</ref> A survey released in November of 2009 found that 67% of Turks "would continue acting in accordance with their religious beliefs if the Parliament passed a law that contradicted religious laws" where as a minority, 26%, "would obey the country’s law in this case".<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=8216religion-loves-tolerance-but-is-not-tolerant8217-2009-11-17 'Religion loves tolerance, but is not tolerant'] - Hürriyet Daily News, November 17, 2009</ref> | ||
==Articles== | ==Articles== | ||
The following are summaries of other pages discussing Islam, in relation to Homosexuality: | The following are summaries of other pages discussing Islam, in relation to Homosexuality: | ||
===Islamic Writing and Homosexuality=== | ===Islamic Writing and Homosexuality=== | ||
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Homosexuality}} | {{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Homosexuality}}The Qur'an, Hadith collections and scholars have all commented extensively on homosexuality.{{quote | 1=[http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=4&tid=10619 The Adulteress is Confined in her House; A Command Later Abrogated]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Kathir|2=[وَاللَّذَانَ يَأْتِيَـنِهَا مِنكُمْ فَـَاذُوهُمَا] | ||
(And the two persons among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, punish them both.) Ibn `Abbas and Sa`id bin Jubayr said that this punishment includes cursing, shaming them and beating them with sandals. This was the ruling until '''Allah abrogated it with flogging or stoning,''' as we stated. Mujahid said, "It was revealed about the case of two men who do it.'' As if he was referring to the actions of the people of Lut, and Allah knows best. The collectors of Sunan recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said, | (And the two persons among you who commit illegal sexual intercourse, punish them both.) Ibn `Abbas and Sa`id bin Jubayr said that this punishment includes cursing, shaming them and beating them with sandals. This was the ruling until '''Allah abrogated it with flogging or stoning,''' as we stated. Mujahid said, "It was revealed about the case of two men who do it.'' As if he was referring to the actions of the people of Lut, and Allah knows best. The collectors of Sunan recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah said, | ||
«مَنْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ، فَاقْتُلُوا الْفَاعِلَ وَالْمَفْعُولَ بِه» | «مَنْ رَأَيْتُمُوهُ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ، فَاقْتُلُوا الْفَاعِلَ وَالْمَفْعُولَ بِه» | ||
('''Whoever you catch committing the act of the people of Lut (homosexuality), then kill both parties to the act.''')}} | ('''Whoever you catch committing the act of the people of Lut (homosexuality), then kill both parties to the act.''')}} | ||
===The People of Lot=== | ===The People of Lot=== | ||
{{Main|Lut}} | {{Main|Lut}}The story of ''Lot'' (لوط, Lūṭ) from the Hebrew Bible, is also to be found in the Qur'an, albeit with a few differences. Amongst other things, the Qur'anic rendition links the destruction of Sodom specifically to the homosexual activities of its inhabitants. The Qur'an also states that the People of Lot were the first to experience homosexuality. Archeological research, by contrast, has revealed that homosexuality was practiced in ancient cultures well before the time of Lot and Abraham (1948–2123 BC). The ancient Egyptians, for instance, who existed in 6000 BC, as well as the Chinese and Indian cultures which existed 7000 years BC practiced homosexuality. The story of Seth and Horus is one of many examples stories appearing before the time of Lot and Abraham which describe homosexual relationships. | ||
The story of ''Lot'' (لوط, Lūṭ) from the Hebrew Bible, is also to be found in the Qur'an, albeit with a few differences. Amongst other things, the Qur'anic rendition links the destruction of Sodom specifically to the homosexual activities of its inhabitants. The Qur'an also states that the People of Lot were the first to experience homosexuality. Archeological research, by contrast, has revealed that homosexuality was practiced in ancient cultures well before the time of Lot and Abraham (1948–2123 BC). The ancient Egyptians, for instance, who existed in 6000 BC, as well as the Chinese and Indian cultures which existed 7000 years BC practiced homosexuality. The story of Seth and Horus is one of many examples stories appearing before the time of Lot and Abraham which describe homosexual relationships. | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/homosexual.htm Muhammad and the homosexual] ''- By James M. Arlandson'' | *[http://www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/homosexual.htm Muhammad and the homosexual] ''- By James M. Arlandson'' | ||
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1212925221746&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah/LSELayout How Islam Views Homosexuality] ''- 15 Fatwas from Islam-Online'' | *[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1212925221746&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah/LSELayout How Islam Views Homosexuality] ''- 15 Fatwas from Islam-Online'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|30em}} | {{Reflist|30em}} | ||