Standing up against Homosexuality and LGBTs
Since 2012-12-23
Some absurdly argue that homosexual inclinations are inherited through one’s genetics. However ridiculous such a claim may be, even if accepted for the argument’s sake, it still does not justify the criminal act. Many scientists have argued a genetic basis for a disposition to commit crimes such as burglary, theft, and sexual abuse, yet the law rightly condemns and punishes these acts. Some scientists have claimed that it is programmed into men’s genetics to be unfaithful to their partners, yet society does not deem such behavior morally acceptable. My point is not to enter into a scientific discussion on genetics but to emphasize the inconsistency of such an argument.
Homosexuality has once again become a hot topic in our society, and especially with current plans to change legislation relating to marriage, people have all sorts to say on the matter. However, in being Muslims who follow divine guidance as revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), we are ordained to stand in justice and truth against what has been determined as a great evil and harm to society. Allah informs us,
{And (remember) Lout (Lot), when he said to his people: “Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns)? (80) “Verily, you practise your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins).” (81) And the answer of his people was only that they said: “Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!” (82) Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of those who remained behind (in the torment). (83) And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).} [Al-A’raf 7:80-84]
{وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّنَ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٨٠﴾ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِّن دُونِ النِّسَاءِ ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُونَ ﴿٨١﴾ وَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَن قَالُوا أَخْرِجُوهُم مِّن قَرْيَتِكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ ﴿٨٢﴾ فَأَنجَيْنَاهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ ﴿٨٣﴾ وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًا ۖ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ} الأعراف: 80-84
Transliteration: Walootan ith qala liqawmihi atatoona alfahishata ma sabaqakum biha min ahadin mina alAAalameena (80) Innakum latatoona alrrijala shahwatan min dooni alnnisai bal antum qawmun musrifoona (81) Wama kana jawaba qawmihi illa an qaloo akhrijoohum min qaryatikum innahum onasun yatatahharoona (82)Faanjaynahu waahlahu illa imraatahu kanat mina alghabireena (83) Waamtarna AAalayhim mataran faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almujrimeena
As we see in the verse, the primary evil of Prophet Lot’s fellow citizens was that they practised homosexuality, defined in the verse as a criminal act whereby the perpetrator engages in sexual acts with a member of the same sex. As Lot informs them, they initiated an evil never committed before them and as a result of their transgression Allah destroyed them. He says in surah al-Dhariyat that they have been left as a sign/lesson for those who fear a harsh punishment.
Some absurdly argue that homosexual inclinations are inherited through one’s genetics. However ridiculous such a claim may be, even if accepted for the argument’s sake, it still does not justify the criminal act. Many scientists have argued a genetic basis for a disposition to commit crimes such as burglary, theft, and sexual abuse, yet the law rightly condemns and punishes these acts. Some scientists have claimed that it is programmed into men’s genetics to be unfaithful to their partners, yet society does not deem such behavior morally acceptable. My point is not to enter into a scientific discussion on genetics but to emphasize the inconsistency of such an argument.
In order to combat the scourge of homosexuality Allah has ordained us to speak out, and that we should co-operate with others in righteousness and God-consciousness. He says,
{Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:2]
{وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ} المائدة: 2
Transliteration: wataAAawanoo AAala albirri waalttaqwa wala taAAawanoo AAala alithmi waalAAudwani
It is in this vein that I commend the many Christian bishops and ministers who have come out in opposition to the current proposals to allow homosexuals to ‘marry’, and I support them in their endeavour to dissuade the government from including LGBTs in current marriage legislation. We also appreciate the brave stance of the Nobel peace prize winner and president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in defending a law that criminalizes homosexual acts and determinedly standing for higher moral standards.
It is one thing to give equal rights to different communities so as to reflect our diverse and multicultural society, and quite another to afford a criminal act (according to the fundamentals of all faiths) the same legitimacy as an extremely natural and godly method of seeking union with a member of the opposite sex. Currently same-sex couples are allowed to enter into civil partnerships which provide the legal consequences of marriage. The idea of marriage is intrinsically religious; it was within a religious setting that marriage was instituted, both around the world and in this country, and so, we must question the desire of a secular government and godless homosexuals in wanting to attack and alter this profoundly religious notion when they are, quite regrettably, already afforded its benefits.
Just as some Christian leaders have spoken out, Muslim community leaders and scholars should not feel intimidated in speaking against this great offence and must stand for godly principles which many Christians are failing to do. Muslims must demonstrate a sense of responsibility and uphold the higher moral principles that Allah has commanded. Allah says,
{Thus We have made you [true Muslims - real believers of Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways)], a Wasat (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) be a witness over you.} [Al-Baqarah 2:143]
{وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا} البقرة: 143
Transliteration: Wakathalika jaAAalnakum ommatan wasatan litakoonoo shuhadaa AAala alnnasi wayakoona alrrasoolu AAalaykum shaheedan
{You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah - and rebellious against Allah’s Command).} [Al-’Imran 3:110]
{كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّـهِ ۗ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ} آل عمران: 110
Transliteration: Kuntum khayra ommatin okhrijat lilnnasi tamuroona bialmaAAroofi watanhawna AAani almunkari watuminoona biAllahi walaw amana ahlu alkitabi lakana khayran lahum minhumu almuminoona waaktharuhumu alfasiqoona
It is with the sentiment of this verse that we call upon Christians to refer back to the original teachings revealed by their creator, Allah, and to turn to the religion of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad as well as institute and embody all that they preached, commanded, and forbade. Allah says,
{...and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud. (82) And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses. (83) “And why should we not believe in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islamic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions).” (84) So because of what they said, Allah rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of good-doers.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:82-85]
{...وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٨٢﴾ وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ ﴿٨٣﴾ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّـهِ وَمَا جَاءَنَا مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَنَطْمَعُ أَن يُدْخِلَنَا رَبُّنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الصَّالِحِينَ ﴿٨٤﴾ فَأَثَابَهُمُ اللَّـهُ بِمَا قَالُوا جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ} المائدة: 82-85
Transliteration: walatajidanna aqrabahum mawaddatan lillatheena amanoo allatheena qaloo inna nasara thalika bianna minhum qisseeseena waruhbanan waannahum la yastakbiroona (82) Waitha samiAAoo ma onzila ila alrrasooli tara aAAyunahum tafeedu mina alddamAAi mimma AAarafoo mina alhaqqi yaqooloona rabbana amanna faoktubna maAAa alshshahideena (83) Wama lana la numinu biAllahi wama jaana mina alhaqqi wanatmaAAu an yudkhilana rabbuna maAAa alqawmi alssaliheena (84) Faathabahumu Allahu bima qaloo jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu khalideena feeha wathalika jazao almuhsineena
I pray to Allah to preserve this country from evil practices, to save us from such acts, and to keep us steadfast in enjoining good and forbidding evil.
Shaikh (Dr) Haitham Al-Haddad
Sources: www.islam21c.com
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