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Islam and Homosexuality: Difference between revisions
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<metadesc>According to the Qur'an and the hadith, homosexuality is not only a sin, but a crime under Islamic law.</metadesc> | <metadesc>According to the Qur'an and the hadith, homosexuality is not only a sin, but a crime under Islamic law.</metadesc> | ||
The Islamic views on homosexuality are formed from the writings of the [[Qur'an]] and | The [[Islam|Islamic]] views on homosexuality are formed from the writings of the [[Qur'an]] and Prophet [[Muhammad]]'s [[Sunnah]]. It is not only a sin, but a crime under [[Islamic Law|Islamic law]]. | ||
{{Core}} | {{Core}} | ||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
===Islam's Views=== | ===Islam's Views=== | ||
Islamic Shari'ah law is extracted from both the Qur'an and | Islamic [[Shariah|Shari'ah]] law is extracted from both the Qur'an and Muhammad's Sunnah (found in the [[Hadith]] and [[Sira]]). Islamic [[Fiqh|jurisprudence]] are expansion of the laws contained within them by Islamic [[Madh'hab|jurists]]. Therefore, they are seen as the laws of [[Allah]]. You need only look to the rulings under Shari'ah to see the accepted mainstream interpretation of [[Islam]] and its commandments to its followers. Homosexuality under this law, is not only a sin, but a punishable crime against [[God]]. | ||
In the case of homosexuality, how it is dealt with differs between the four mainline schools of Sunni jurisprudence today, but what they all agree upon is that homosexuality is worthy of a severe penalty. | In the case of homosexuality, how it is dealt with differs between the four mainline schools of [[Sunni]] jurisprudence today, but what they all agree upon is that homosexuality is worthy of a severe penalty. | ||
In the Hanafi school of thought, the homosexual is first punished through harsh beating, and if he/she repeats the act, the death penalty is to be applied. | In the Hanafi school of thought, the homosexual is first punished through harsh beating, and if he/she repeats the act, the death penalty is to be applied. | ||
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Many apologists have attempted to shift the blame for this Muslim hostility towards homosexuality onto "the adoption of European Victorian attitudes by the new Westernized elite."<ref>El-Rouayheb, 2005, p. 156</ref> | Many apologists have attempted to shift the blame for this Muslim hostility towards homosexuality onto "the adoption of European Victorian attitudes by the new Westernized elite."<ref>El-Rouayheb, 2005, p. 156</ref> | ||
However, this explanation falls short. Within the context of Islamic thought, this attitude originated from the Prophet [[Muhammad]], and since he is considered by all mainstream Muslims to be the [[Uswa Hasana]] (the perfect example) we find that the majority of Muslims still consider this harsh treatment of homosexuals to be | However, this explanation falls short. Within the context of Islamic thought, this attitude originated from the Prophet [[Muhammad]], and since he is considered by all mainstream Muslims to be the [[Uswa Hasana]] (the perfect example) we find that the majority of Muslims still consider this harsh treatment of homosexuals to be justified. | ||
Muhammad himself had stated, ''“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 even went so far as to condemn the “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. | Muhammad himself had stated, ''“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 even went so far as to condemn the “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. | ||
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The father of [[Aisha]] and Muhammad’s first successor, Abu Bakr, had a homosexual burned at the stake. The fourth Rightly-Guided [[Caliph]], Muhammad’s son-in-law 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 actions quite obviously pre-date any sort of Western influence on Islamic thought. | The father of [[Aisha]] and Muhammad’s first successor, Abu Bakr, had a homosexual burned at the stake. The fourth Rightly-Guided [[Caliph]], Muhammad’s son-in-law 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 actions quite obviously pre-date any sort of Western influence on Islamic thought. | ||
According to | According to Shaykh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid: "''The spread of homosexuality has caused man diseases which neither the east nor the west can deny exist because of them. Even if the only result of this perversion was AIDS – which attacks the immune system in humans – that would be enough.''"<ref>Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid - [http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/10050 Why does Islam forbid lesbianism and homosexuality?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 10050</ref> | ||
Even by moderate Muslims (who are found primarily among the tiny 3% of the world's Muslims living in "more-developed regions"),<ref>''"As of 2010, about three-quarters of the world’s Muslims (74.1%) live in the 49 countries in which Muslims make up a majority of the population. More than a fifth of all Muslims (23.3%) live in non-Muslim-majority countries in the developing world. About 3% of the world’s Muslims live in more-developed regions, such as Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan."'' - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.pewforum.org/The-Future-of-the-Global-Muslim-Population.aspx|2=2012-12-02}} The Future of the Global Muslim Population], The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, January 27, 2011</ref> homosexuality is seen as something that is vile and unacceptable. For example, a Gallup survey carried out in early 2009 found that British Muslims have zero tolerance for Homosexuality. Not even a single British Muslim interviewed believed that homosexual acts were morally acceptable.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/07/muslims-britain-france-germany-homosexuality|2=2011-11-30}} Muslims in Britain have zero tolerance of homosexuality, says poll] - The Guardian, May 7, 2009</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.euro-islam.info/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/gallup_coexist_2009_interfaith_relations_uk_france_germany.pdf|2=2011-11-30}} The Gallup Coexist Index 2009: A Global Study of Interfaith Relations] - Section 2: Public Perceptions Toward Integration, p. 31</ref> Also according to a Zogby International poll of American Muslims taken in November and December of 2001, a massive 71 percent opposed "allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally."<ref>[http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/sexualminorities/Islamic%20World100202.pdf Islamohomophobia] - WoldNetDaily, October 2, 2002</ref> Another worrying statistic to be found among Muslims in the UK, is that although they comprise just 2% of the total British population, they commit 25% of all anti-Homosexual crimes.<ref>"Gay police group's "anti-Christian" ad rapped", Reuters, October 18, 2006 ([http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061018/od_nm/britain_ad_dc/ Original URL]|[{{Reference archive|1=http%3A%2F%2Flittlegreenfootballs.com%2Fweblog%2F%3Fentry%3D23002_UK_Muslims-_2%2525_of_Population_25%2525_of_Anti-Gay_Crimes%26only|2=2012-11-27}} Charles Johnson's commentary]|[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.orange-order.co.uk/topic/3791-gay-police-groups-anti-christian-ad-rapped/|2=2012-11-27}} Full text])</ref> | |||
So, with the rise of Islam in the UK and the rest of the | So, with the rise of Islam in the UK and the rest of the world, we also see the inadvertent return to the morality of seventh-century Arabia, with Muslim gangs on the streets of England carrying out violent attacks on gays<ref>[http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED03%20Sep%202008%2020%3A44%3A41%3A983 Gay fears rise after street gang’s murderous attack] - EastLondonAdvertiser, September 4, 2008</ref> and mosques labeled as “moderate” calling for the murder of homosexuals at the hands of their congregation.<ref>[http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/3584 So -Called Moderate UK Mosque Preaches Hate, Urges Faithful To "Kill Gays"] - PipelineNews, September 2, 2008</ref> | ||
If we look to secular Indonesia, we see that due to pressure from the growing 'conservative' Islamic communities, some local authorities have now been given the right to use Islamic laws, which have successfully criminalized 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> | If we look to secular [[Indonesia]], we see that due to pressure from the growing 'conservative' Islamic communities, some local authorities have now been given the right to use Islamic laws, which have successfully criminalized 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> Also in Hindu-majority [[India]], attempts to move forward and decriminalize homosexuality are being hindered by Islamic clerics claiming "Homosexuality is an offence under Sharia Law and haram (prohibited) in Islam," and that "Legalisation of homosexuality is an attack on Indian religious and moral values," a statement not to be taken lightly, when coming from religious leaders of Islam.<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=== | ||
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{{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."}} | {{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."}} | ||
Whilst | Whilst LGBTT-rights activists are making great progress in non-Muslim societies, the ignored homosexuals of the Muslim world are left fighting for even the most basic of human rights, and in many cases, their very lives. | ||
Exact figures are hard to determine, due to the political turmoil in many of the Islamic 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="IL">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. They 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> | Exact figures are hard to determine, due to the political turmoil in many of the Islamic 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="IL">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. They 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> | ||
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According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government alone has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name="IL"/> Laws allowing gay rights, seldom mean a thing in Muslim majority nations where the laws of Islam trump the laws of the land every time. Take for instance, Iraq, which does not officially have any laws discriminating against same-sex relationships, currently there are death squads operating in the country killing gays and lesbians (or effeminate men and masculine women suspected of homosexuality) on sight, and a shocking sixty-eight gay and trans-gendered men have been killed within the space of four months, often by having their anuses glued shut, followed by induced 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 alone has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name="IL"/> Laws allowing gay rights, seldom mean a thing in Muslim majority nations where the laws of Islam trump the laws of the land every time. Take for instance, Iraq, which does not officially have any laws discriminating against same-sex relationships, currently there are death squads operating in the country killing gays and lesbians (or effeminate men and masculine women suspected of homosexuality) on sight, and a shocking sixty-eight gay and trans-gendered men have been killed within the space of four months, often by having their anuses glued shut, followed by induced 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> | ||
Also in the secular nation of Turkey, a country which is often held-up as a poster-child for | Also in the secular nation of [[Turkey]], a country which is often held-up as a poster-child for moderate Islam, persecution and violence against homosexuals [along with [[Persecution of Non-Muslims|non-Muslim minorities]]] is on the rise, with eleven gays being killed within 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> This behavior is consistant with the results of a survey<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> released in November of 2009 which found that a massive 67 percent of Turks "would continue acting in accordance with their religious beliefs if the Parliament passed a law that contradicted religious laws." and only Twenty-six percent "would obey the country’s law in this case". | ||
==Articles== | ==Articles== | ||