How This All Started
I had no intentions of writing this article.
You see, I just found out that I’ve been nominated for a Brass Crescent award for Best Post or Series. My article “7 Things Your Muslim Husband Won’t Tell You” is the thing that got me nominated. The Brass Crescent Awards are annual virtual awards (there’s no real prize or money; just bragging rights) given to different Muslim blogs in various categories.
(BTW, please vote for my article…I want those bragging rights!)
I’ve done my research on the Brass Crescent Awards and I know they were founded by a couple of Muslims who seem rather…I don’t know…soft and mushy to me. Basically, I’ve seen their writings and their work and they strike me as progressive, MSNBC, “Islam means peace” kind of Muslims.
So, I already know what some of what to expect of the other “Islamic” blogs that were nominated for awards.
As I was looking through the other Muslim blogs that were nominated, I noticed that quite a few of them were…quasi-pseudo-wannabe-kinda-sorta-half-stepping Islamic blogs. A lot of them promoted feminism, and not the Muslim-men-are-not-treating-Muslim-women-in-the-manner-taught-by-the-Prophet kind of feminism. This was that Western-pro-abortion-women-can-lead-men-in-prayer kind of feminism.
Eventually, I ran upon one blog called “Love Inshallah” about the love lives of American Muslim women.
I’m telling you the truth here, the instant I landed on the page, I felt a slight sickness within me. But I figured that maybe I was prejudging or getting jealous at the competition and forced myself to forge ahead.
Well, it only took about five seconds for my premonitions to prove correct. Right there on the opening page was the picture of some dude nicknamed “Hijabman.” The caption below the picture said the founder of “Love Inshallah” was married to Hijabman.
Progressive Muslims
Hijabman and his ilk are “Progressive Muslims.” In my opinion, they are some of the most dangerous people to Islam. They seek (knowingly or unknowingly) to destroy Islam from within. And the internet makes it all the more easy for them to carry out their mission.
These are the people that support women leading men in prayer. Who say Polygamy is wrong. Who think they understand the Quran better than the scholars of Islam. Who think it’s okay for Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men.
These are the Taqwacores. The Proggies. The Salman Rushdies and the Irshad Manjis.
These are the “Muslims” you want to keep your children away from. They are the ones who cheered when Anwar Al-Awlaki died. They wear Islam like it’s a fashion statement yet do not stand for any of its principles.
They want to save the planet and stop the war, all the while they wage war on Islam in a subtle and underhanded way.
They are the so-called “moderate Muslims” the media loves to coddle yet they make up less than 1% of the entire Muslim population.
I love Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). I love the Quran and I love this deen (way of life). I am not afraid to call these people out.
Only Allah knows what’s in their hearts. But what I see, is nothing but evil.
The Litmus Test
I have a simple way to test someone I suspect of being “Progressive” (which is a misnomer since these guys do not bring “progress” to Islam; instead they demean Islam).
If I run across a blog and it’s starting to sound a little too squishy and soft, I do a search for the terms “homosexual” and/or “gay.”
Depending on the results that come back, that’s how I can determine what kind of mind is behind the blog.
If there are articles supporting gay marriage or trying to defend homosexuality in Islam or any crap like that, then I know I’m dealing with one of these cretins.
Once upon a time, I used to go to verbal battle against these wack jobs. I had a long, heated debate with Robert Salaam of The American Muslim because he wrote an article saying that homosexuals had the right to marriage. Here’s the article he wrote, but my comments have mysteriously disappeared.
But I don’t bother with that stuff anymore.
Allah has blessed me very sharp writing skills, plus a little bit of Islamic knowledge. I’m no scholar, but I definitely know more about Islam than these fakers. So I’m confident I can run circles around them on their own blog and make them look rather stupid in the process (hence the disappearance of my comments from the aforementioned blog).
However, I’ve matured over the years and I don’t think that’s the best use of my time or skills.
There really is no reason for me to write rebuttals against anyone’s defense of homosexuality in Islam. Most Muslims already know the deal. Even these miscreant so-called progressives know that Islam categorically outlaws homosexuality. Let’s just look at one passage from the Quran:
And Lot when he said to his people: “Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds? Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.” But the answer of his people was only that they said, “Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure.” So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained. And We rained upon them a rain. Then see how was the end of the criminals.
Chapter 7, verses 80-84.
In these five verses Allah describes homosexuals with such phrases as:
- Immoral
- Transgressors
- Impure
- Criminals
There are many, many more places in the Quran with similar harsh wording against homosexuality. So there should be no doubt that this act is forbidden in Islam. Allah hates it, and Muslims have no right to defend it and in fact should be foremost in speaking out against it.
How To Deal With This Issue
As much as I detest homosexuality, there are certain facts that I cannot ignore.
- There will always be a segment of the population that are gay. No matter what society. No matter what culture. It’s like southpaws and psychos. They will always exist.
- There are a lot of complex issues that make up human sexuality. It’s not so simple as being born one way or the other.
- A person can get used to it, and even learn to enjoy it if they allow themselves to walk down that road.
The last point may sound strange, but I’ve heard enough “coming out” stories to believe this to be true. I’ve heard of men in prison who were not gay before getting locked up. But in order to survive (at least in their mind) they decided to become someone’s girlfriend.
And I’ve heard other stories of immigrants to America who never even thought about homosexuality back in their home country. But then they came to America, landed in New York or Los Angeles, and a few years later they’re wearing rainbows and sleeveless turtlenecks.
My point is, I do not have a disgusted, visceral reaction to homosexuality among Muslims. It exists. It will probably always exist.
It is also impossible to determine why a person is gay. I believe that it is often the result of child molestation. Sometimes it’s something people just pick up and learn to enjoy, like the prison example above.
I’m not convinced that it’s genetic. If so, then it should have evolved out of the human race by now. However, it may be psychological.
But my personal opinion is that it is just pure emotional. It is a preference. Like some people like apples and don’t like oranges. Some men just like other men.
Can There Be Gay Muslims?
Since I’m convinced homosexuality is more a preference than it is a genetic flaw, I’m convinced that it is rightly forbidden in Islam.
So there is no reason for us to try to make excuses for gays and lesbians. They do have a choice. No man is forced to sodomize another man. And there is no line of argument that can convince me that such an action is natural.
Shaytan (the devil) whispers into their hearts and they succumb to his suggestions. And they do it often enough where it no longer seems wrong to them, and they may even justify and defend their actions. Thus, their hearts become sealed so no amount of evidence will make them think otherwise.
And We have certainly presented to the people in this Qur’an from every example. But, if you should bring them a sign, the disbelievers will surely say, “You are but falsifiers.” Thus does Allah seal the hearts of those who do not know. So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain.
Chapter 7, verses 57-60
So, there can be gay Muslims. There can – and are – Muslims who engage in these actions.
Just like there are Muslims who are addicted to alcohol and addicted to drugs and addicted to pornography, there are Muslims who are addicted to having sex with the same gender.
The real point of the matter is how do these “gay Muslims” deal with their addiction?
Do they acknowledge that it is wrong and try to stay away from it? Do they repent to Allah when they fall short? Do they hide their problems out of shame knowing that it is something reprehensible and should not be practiced freely and openly?
If so, then I hope and pray that Allah accepts their repentance and gives them a way out of their problem. I hope they learn the discipline that is required to resist their temptations. No doubt, this abstinence may be difficult, but I hope they will suffer in silence, knowing that the best reward is with Allah in the next life. This is their trial and Allah has given all of us different trials.
But if there are “gay Muslims” who say that the verses I’ve quoted above are misinterpreted or that Allah loves gays or that the Quran defends their right to be gay or some other crazy garbage like that, then I pray that Allah guides them.
And if Allah decides not to guide them, then I pray the He curses them, confounds their plans, humiliates them, and exposes them for the hypocrites they are.
Ameen.
Great and very enlightening article. Makes me think about the Crescent Awards because I believe I was in the discussion to get an article I wrote on their nominated but unfortunately I wasn’t, oh well. But if those are the type of blogs they want to give recognition to, (even though some blogs they recognize like MuslimMatters, ProductiveMuslim and Muslim Medicine are fine by me and I enjoy them) then I’d rather not be nominated.
btw, Heres a cheap plug for my new blog PhilAsify 101! http://philasify101.blogspot.com
As for the topic, I actually was searching around on Netflix and came across a documentary entitled, “Jihad For Love” and it covered homosexuality in different parts of the Muslim world. I found it sad and disgusting but of course Muslims are not immune to the problems the rest of society goes through so I understand it exists. But how these Muslim deal with it are very disheartening.
Some aren’t very religious in the first place so it makes sense that they try to justify their love for another man/woman. Others are and feel tremendous guilt but have reasoned with their minds that Allah made them like this as a test or something. One tried justifying how the Quran only forbids anal sex but not gay love, which is ludicrous to begin with. It’s just an odd documentary but also worth watching to just see the mindset of these people and how possibly Muslims in the community can help them.
You’re right, I don’t want to paint all of the blogs on the Brass Crescent website as “progressive.” There are definitely some blogs that are decent Muslim blogs without distorting Islamic principles.
I’ve heard of that same movie also back when I had Netflix. I never actually got around to watching it however. But now that you’ve brought these points forward, I might go back and see what they’re saying one day.
As for your blog, it’s okay to plug on this site (within reason). I just had a peek at your site…I didn’t know you wrote that post about “real Muslim men.” I’m pretty sure I commented on MuslimMatters on that article. I actually thought it was pretty interesting.
My only suggestion…don’t be afraid to ruffle a few feathers every now and then. Every now and then, consider writing something you honestly believe in, but you know will probably upset a good portion of the human population.
Duly noted brother. Keep up the good work! I recently stumbled upon your blog and I feel that we have a similar style of writing when it comes to the tone and the topics you address. I have subscribed and will be reading some of your archive in my spare time.
[...] a big part of it was due to being nominated for a Brass Crescent Award. Despite the fact that I don’t care for some of the other “Muslim” blogs ILM is up against, I know that site has brought me a good amount of new [...]
As a former multi-time Brass Crescent Award winner, your post deserves a response.
” … my research on the Brass Crescent Awards and I know they were founded by a couple of Muslims who seem rather…I don’t know…soft and mushy to me.”
You shouldn’t judge other Muslims. Since you love to quote the Quran at whim, here’s a verse for you. Quran 4:94 http://quran.com/4/94
“… The caption below the picture said the founder of “Love Inshallah” was married to Hijabman…”
Not really. ONE of the writers in the blog is married to Hijabman. Love Inshallah was the idea of Ayesha Mattu and one other lady, none of whom are married to Hijabman as far as we know. Sounds like your research could use more research.
“Hijabman and his ilk are “Progressive Muslims.”
Tarring everyone with the same brush eh? Not every progressive muslim is anti-polygamy, or pro-female-imam and so on.
“They are the so-called “moderate Muslims” the media loves to coddle yet they make up less than 1% of the entire Muslim population.”
The only Muslims the media loves to coddle are ex-Muslims or self-hating Muslims. The blogs on Brass Crescent do not fall under those categories at all. Again, your research is lacking.
The rest of your blog is spewing hatred (right after you claimed you loved the Prophet and his way of life) and not even worth responding to.
Please consider etiquette when discussing issues in the Muslim community (and actually every where). You can be politely firm in your disagreement and if you consider the posts and the blogs to be a danger to Islam, say so without being rude. The Prophet wasn’t rude to Abu Jahl. And these blogs are hardly Abu Jahl.
– Mezba
Winner: Teaching Kids the Holy Quran
Winner: A Bengali in TO
As-Salaamu Alaikum,
The fact that you won Brass Crescent awards is pointless. Let’s get that out the way immediately.
Why can’t I judge other Muslims? We judge people all the time. Humans judge other humans. You’re judging me with your response. If someone says something that sounds like it goes against Islam, I’m going to judge them and warn others against them. It’s as simple as that. We all do it, all the time.
The verse you quoted is irrelevant. For one thing, except for Hijabman (whom I have investigated and can verify that some of the things he’s stated go against Islam) I haven’t mentioned anyone of the Brass Crescent award nominees directly. I made a general statement about some of the nominees.
Furthermore, that verse specifically mentions Muslims who have given the greeting. None of these “Progressive” bloggers have greeted me (not even you). Once again, you’re using the verse incorrectly or you just don’t understand it or you’re trying to make a point that you really can’t make.
I mean come on. If you’re gonna quote a verse at least use it properly. The tafsir for this verse clearly shows it was in response to two companions who killed a man they thought was an enemy who only said “As-Salaamu Alaikum” to protect himself.
So please, stop lecturing.
“Tarring everyone wit the same brush”? I’m sorry you sound intelligent, but your arguments are senseless.
Who do you claim I’m tarring? Progressive Muslims? All Muslims? Brass Crescent award nominees? What the heck are you talking about?
Based on his blog and statements I’ve read from him, Hijabman qualifies as a Progressive Muslim. Full stop.
And since we’re on this topic, why on earth do Muslims need to label themselves as “Progressive”? This has a certain implication in the Western world. This phrase implies pro-gay, anti-establishment, anti-authentic Islam.
Therefore I stand by my statement. Perhaps there are some so-called Progressive Muslims who are not anti-polygamy or pro-female Imam. Then what do they stand for? What “progress” do they feel Muslims and Islam need?
You can hide behind exceptions all you want. The vast majority of so-called Progressive Muslims espouse certain beliefs that go directly against the Quran and Sunnah and Islamic principles in general.
And you’re wrong about the Muslims that the media like. Irshad Manji doesn’t call herself either an ex-Muslim or self-hating Muslim. But the media sure does love her as she does quite a few interviews. Really, I’m not sure where you got that line of argument from.
“The rest of your blog is spewing hatred”
Well…I believe you meant the rest of my post, because the 150+ articles on this blog most certainly do not spew hatred. And the rest of my post is actually about gay Muslims.
Therefore…I’m led to an inevitable conclusion.
You support these gay Muslims!
In which case, there’s not really much more I have to worry about. If you’re willing to defy the clear and obvious statements of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) I already know who I’m dealing with. You are actually defending an act that Allah has cursed and made illegal.
Yet, you have the audacity to host a website that teaches children the Quran!!!!
By the way, I noticed none of the chapters of Quran you discuss on your website mention anything about Prophet Lut (AS) and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
La hawla wa laa quwata illa billah.
That’s why I say the so-called Progressive Muslims are the most dangerous of all enemies of Islam.
And don’t even mention that stuff about the Prophet not being rude to Abu Jahl. Abu Jahl wasn’t even his real name. His real name was Abu Aqeel which means “Father of the wise one.”
The Prophet (pbuh) nicknamed him Abu Jahl which means “Father of Ignorance.” Would you call that “polite discourse?”
Whatever. I’m done with this.
i really do appreciate how you came up with those pin point that really effects the whole point of islam and our pure deen and its beauty.
Salaam,
We at the Brass Crescent Awards have responded – see:
http://www.facebook.com/brasscrescent/posts/365654336850881?notif_t=share_comment
incidentally, as one of the Founders of the BCA that you allude to – ie,
my research on the Brass Crescent Awards and I know they were founded by a couple of Muslims who seem rather…I don’t know…soft and mushy to me. Basically, I’ve seen their writings and their work and they strike me as progressive, MSNBC, “Islam means peace” kind of Muslims.
I for one would welcome a discussion with you on what if anything I ever wrote that was “soft and mushy” in your estimation, brother.
regards
Aziz Poonawalla
As-Salaamu Alaikum (What is it with you BCA folks not giving the greetings?),
Anyway, I don’t really have a lot of time to look for evidence about you specifically. But your co-founder’s name on the BCA website does link to Alt.Muslim which is questionable enough to arouse my suspicion.
But in case someone needs a little proof, here’s a link discussing that same blog I’m up against for the award (and from your Facebook post, you seem to be rooting for).
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/altmuslim/2012/02/love-inshallah-explores-the-love-lives-of-american-muslim-women/
Your buddy attaches his name to this website which casually promotes a blog that openly discusses the love lives of lesbian Muslims.
Soft. Mushy.
If one stands for righteousness, be prepared to stand against the forces of darkness. The BCA has now set itself against me and this website. Mashallah. To Allah must all things return.
As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
I found this post through a link on Twitter from Brass Crescent Award. They are using it to promote their awards through its “controversy”, which is a bit shameless IMO. I have promptly unfollowed them on Twitter.
It is surprising how many Muslims there are, who view homosexuality as an acceptable practice. But just as there are and perhaps will always be gay Muslims, there will be “Muslims”, who defend homosexuality.
Wa Alaikum Salaam wa Rahmantullahi Wa Barakathu Br. Abdullah,
Thank you for letting me know about this. I’m just finding out about their campaign against me and this website. For a second I thought I would have to go against these guys on my own. Alhamdulillah, I’m pleased to know that there are many Muslims, the true silent majority, who continue to hold on to the truth of Islam.
May Allah reward you for whatever good you do, Ameen.
[...] all begin? I had planned to write about my work at Ar-Rahman Islamic Center in Atlanta, not defend my stance against homosexuality in Islam and so-called progressive Muslims. But it seems controversy follows this li’l ol’ website so I’m going to have to [...]
I agree with this whole article’s stance on Progressive Muslims and homosexuality but the du’a at the end…i think it could have been kept unsaid. I mean, yeah, the gays could be cursed by Allah but you wouldn’t want your sins to be exposed so why would you wish the same for others? The sahabah and the pious scholars of our ummah never felt from hypocrisy, so could we? If these Muslims are being hypocrites, let them be. It’s between them and Allah. How do we know that they won’t be better than us on their deathbed and that we won’t have the Anger of Allah upon us? May Allah guide them and may He forgive us. Furthermore, when asked to pray against disbelievers, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: I was not sent as a curser. I was sent as Mercy.
Overall, I agree with your statement. I should have refrained from the last part as there is probably no benefit in it. Inshallah, I’ll remove it.
*never felt safe, so how could we? (was what i mean to say, too many typos, sorry)
Whoops! I’ll correct is ASAP.
Assalamua’laykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.
I think what everyone’s trying to say is that you’re going a bit too far with confusing your hatred for homosexuality with your hatred for “Progressive Muslims”. The reason why is seems so, is that you started talking about:
1) Brass Crescent Nominees
2) Love InshAllah being Progressive Muslim
2) Progressive Muslims & Homosexuality
3) Homosexuality and its Immorality
4) Gay Muslims and Their Ignorance
Please understand that I do not agree with Islam supporting homosexuality, okay. But if you look at the subjects you went through from Point A to Point B, it seems that you are talking about two topics that should be addressed separately (#1: Progressive Muslims, and #2: Homosexuality and Gay Muslims), because otherwise it seems that you’re instigating something. To met at least, there were many words of hatred that was referring to #3, but looked like it was directed to #1, because it was all jumbled up in one post. Many of the bloggers do not identify as being homosexuals, and many of them do not identify as being Progressive Muslims.
I’m sorry if I’m being too general or rude or upright and so forth, but I think that it’s all right to be upset about the way something is going or the way it has been done. But it is wholly another to make everyone else upset about something too.
If you also see my comment here (http://islamiclearningmaterials.com/the-brass-crescent-awards-vs-ilm/), I think you might understand my point a little better, InshaaAllah.
JazaakAllahu Khairan and Wa-Salaam,
~EMW
*Fixed: Many of the bloggers *may* not support homosexuality, and many of them *may* not identify as being Progressive Muslims.
Salam Aleikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatu Brothers/Sisters,
). I don’t think homosexuality in Islam is right, or normal. But I believe that, as long as someone lives modestly without doing harm to anyone, without spreading his/her wrong ideas and without trying to convince others that what he/she is doing is supported by our beloved deen… Then the rest is up to him/her and Allah (SWT). We know many things for sure, thanks to what we can read from the Quran and Hadiths, and there’s no doubt about the fact that homosexuality isn’t allowed but Allah knows more, Allah can Judge and punish and He’s the one that every sinner will have to face on the Judgement Day. We may hate their behavior, and we may have the right to stop them or stand against them, but I wish we could just wait for Allah to take care of it. Because no man is perfect, only Allah is. Basically, and I know I can sound very childish, I don’t believe in private justice… Even though I believe that everything you said it right, and I thank you for reminding me of this subject that I often don’t think about (I never once considered the possibility of a muslim homosexual!).
I honestly don’t know how I found this blog but mashallah, I’m enjoying it although there are few things I don’t agree with (alhamdulillah, I would add, because you gave me something good to do some research about!
However, I really wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you do by posting in this blog: I’m a muslim girl who was born in Europe and who has really few muslim friends, so this blog was like a reminder to me. Lately I noticed that the more I grow up the harder it gets to remain as attached to the religion as I would like to be (I always thought that it would be exacly the opposite!), so I’m trying to take some time to recharge my Imaan. This blog and your religious-but-not-repetitive posts are helping me a lot, mashallah!
And alhamdulillah, Allah is supporting me as he gave me some wonderful parents, may he reward them with Jannah!
It was nice reading this post, pardon me for my poor english and my childish opinions…
I pray for Allah to fulfill your wishes and to increase you knowledge
Jazaakallah,
Sumaya
Wa Alaikum Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu Sister Sumaya,
I agree with much of what you said.
We do not have the right to pass judgement on someone by saying “You are going to hell because of this.” That is because, as you mentioned, we all sin and Allah is the true and final Judge.
But if Allah has declared something to be wrong, we do have the right to say that thing is wrong. We are only repeating what Allah has said.
So Allah has said that eating pork is wrong. Therefore, if I see a Muslim eating pork, I’m going to tell him that is wrong. If a Muslim admits to me that he likes alcohol, I’m going to tell him that Allah has said drinking wine and alcohol is wrong and that he should not do that and that he should repent and try not to do it anymore. But I’m not going to tell him he’s going to hell for drinking that alcohol. That is up to Allah to decide.
Muslims who are addicted to homosexuality have a great trial. I can sympathize with their struggle, but that is something they’re going to have to deal with. My advice is the same as it was in the article: Try to abstain from this evil action, keep your addiction secret, acknowledge it is evil and wrong, and if you make a mistake and slip up, then repent to Allah and try to stay away from it in the future.
That is pretty much the same advice I would give to any Muslim who commits any evil act.
The point I want people to understand is that the real evil is trying to make homosexuality seem like it is something good and that Allah is okay with it. That is the true evil because then we are putting a lie on Allah and changing the religion.
Alhamdulillah, I am certainly pleased that you are receiving some benefit from these articles. I am going to try to make them a little more educational and religious in the future, mostly focusing on understanding the Quran. I believe that is something we all need to focus on a little bit more, Inshallah.
And yes, may Allah reward you and your parents with Jannah. Please stay strong and put your trust in Allah. Surely He is the best one to put our trusts in.
I’ve enjoyed many of the other articles on this site but after reading this one it makes me question the true love and understanding that this site promotes. It is not our place to judge other people. As a child of a bisexual mother, I cannot imagine supporting so much hate that this article seems to promote. As a Muslim, It is very important for me to love everyone, no matter what they’ve done or who they love. The idea that homosexuals chose who they love is absolutely false. There is research to back up the idea of it being a genetic make up, that there is no choice. No 6 year old chooses to be attracted to someone of the same gender; people that grow up to be gay have only kept quite due to the discrimination of others, though they’ve known they were gay since they were young (when kids start to have their first crush).
“If a man addresses his brother as, ‘O’ Disbeliever’ (Kaafir) it returns to one of them; either it is as he said or it returns to him.” Sahih Bukhari 10/427 and Sahih Muslim 60, Narrated by Ibn Umar
In other words, if we call someone a Kaafir, then the one that is truly that Kaafir is the one that said it not the one being accused.
Okay Jonathon, I’m going to assume you’re Muslim, but I’m not sure. You quoted a hadith (albeit you applied it incorrectly) so I’m going to assume you know your way around Islamic texts.
If you are Muslim, then you really need to check yourself. Because what you’re saying is absolute misguidance.
This site is only supposed to promote love and understanding of ISLAM. Not love and understanding of gay people and fornicators and alcoholics and wife-beaters and idol worshipers.
Now to deconstruct your comment.
The fact that your mother is bisexual is irrelevant. If you’re Muslim, then your love of Allah and His messenger is paramount to everything else, even love of your mother. Therefore, as a Muslim you must still respect and obey your mother, but you should advise her to accept Islam and leave behind her evil deeds (bisexuality is just as evil as homosexuality).
Where do you get this from? You’re making up your own stuff. We don’t have love everyone. That’s ridiculous. So we’re going to love Hitler and love Abu Jahl and love Pharaoh and love gangsters and love serial rapists? Come one, be for real. That doesn’t make any sense.
We’re Muslims, not hippies. We love what Allah loves and hate what He hates. And the Quran (which is the speech of Allah) clearly shows that Allah HATES homosexuality. You see the verses from the Quran that I’ve quoted above. Does that sound like “Love” to you?
No it is not. I’ve spoken with homosexuals who have clearly stated that they made a choice. And I’ve also mentioned those incidents above (for example, men in prison who become gay for protection).
People have been saying this same thing for decades. There’s this imaginary research that shows there’s a “gay gene” which proves that homosexuality is natural and we have no right to say anything about it.
First, show me the research.
Second, if there is a gay gene, it should have evolved out of the human race by now since gays generally don’t reproduce.
Third, even if there is a gay gene, that doesn’t overrule Allah’s prohibition. Allah said it’s wrong, therefore it’s wrong. That’s it. Period. Done. No questions asked.
There are studies that show that alcoholism is genetic. Does that mean we should allow drinking alcohol in Islam now?
There are studies that show infidelity may be genetic. So now we just let people screw around with reckless abandon?
This is a religion that commands chopping off the hands of the thief, whipping the fornicator 100 lashes, and executing the adulterer. Do you honestly think that after commanding all of this, Allah is going to go easy on homosexuality? Really? Can you seriously rationalize that in your mind?
And finally, your application of the hadith is totally wrong. I did not call anyone a disbeliever in the article. I did not say Muslims who commit homosexuality are disbelievers. So I really don’t know how you think this hadith is relevant.
Just because someone commits a sin (and yes, homosexual acts are sinful) does not necessarily make them a disbeliever. So I would never state that a gay Muslim is a Kaafir. I would say that their homosexual acts are sinful.
But here are some quotes from the Quran describing the Kaafir which I believe you really need to pay attention to:
Now, my brother Jonathon, if you’re saying that Allah has not forbidden homosexuality, then trust me on this, you are lying on Allah.
Unless of course, all of the major scholars of Islam, the founders of the four schools of thought, the great Imams of the past, the companions of Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet himself, and the obvious words in the Quran, that clearly state that homosexuality is forbidden are all wrong, and you are right.
If you do claim that homosexuality is not forbidden in Islam, then I strongly advise you to repent and seek more knowledge.
Assallam Alaikum
I do have a disgusted, visceral reaction to homosexuality among Muslims. It’s the one issue I WILL NOT TOLERATE. In fact, if someone were to try and discuss it with me face to face, it could be deadly.
Wa Alaikum Salaam,
No you shouldn’t tolerate the action. But we must approach every situation in the appropriate manner. Some situations require a strong, straightforward approach. And others require a more delicate, nuanced approach.
Assalamu alaikum Brother
Keep up your work,I enjoy coming here to read,and i must say I am a blogger my self and REALLY I don’t care if I would get “Brass Crescent awards ” or not.
I am a revert, and proud Muslim trying to follow true Islam CORRECT..Sorry and sad to see so many Muslim out there not even knowing Islam,but only pretending to be a Muslim. Yes I might now be judged for that opinion but its a fact.
Muslims today need to pull them self together and practice Islam full and complete with whatever it takes to be true to The Deen.
Wa salam
Aminah
The Islamic Champer
http://www.islamicchamper.wordpress.com
http://www.islamicteachings.org
Wa Alaikum Salaam Sister Aminah,
Alhamdulillah and thank you for your support.
Yeah, it is sad to read these comments from so many Muslims supporting homosexuality so boldly. I expected a little of this, but not to this extent.
It is time we take this thing seriously and fully commit to this religion. That is the only thing that will save us.
Assalaamu alaikum,
I love this article and I love the replies you have given to reader’s comments. Keep up the good work.
Tasneem Qadeer
Wa Alaikum Salaam Tasneem,
Thank you very much. Pray that I can keep doing this, because these guys are really driving me crazy!
Just kidding. Allah is the source of strength.
As’salaamualaikum wa rahmatulaahi wa barakaatuh.
I appreciate your humane stance onto this subject matter dear brother. I would not call myself ‘gay’ but I rather speak of myself as a man having sexual liking for his like: unfortunately and for the time being.
Some people would call me ‘closeted’ or even ‘in denial’ because I simply refuse to accept what they want me to accept: the third sex*.
Allah has created the man and the woman; yes, it is true that there are some who are hermaphrodites but this is an ‘anomaly’, a trial for the person who has had been born with as such affliction.
I do not think that I am as such due to having been molested while I was a child, rather I have been nearly sexually abused after that I had had developed a sexual liking for guys and that too by my own father.
I think that there may be so many factors that actually reduce a man to start loving another man among which is this society itself, who equipped will all these devices, push into defiling the nature of man by making him/her succumb to temptations, to transgressions.
I also do believe that it ain’t genetic for otherwise, if man has had been predisposed to be gay, then he would have had been equipped physically, so as to be able to engage in what is a ‘safe’ and ‘healthy’ sexual relationship; of course pro-homosexuality people would use the example of our lowly counterparts (animals) to validate why we are animals, but we are basically not animals; we do not kill our partners after mating with them, we do not eat faecal matter like so many of them do, nor do we feed on blood or kill our siblings or progeny and so on and so forth.
But I would add that, the genetic factor that has had been mentioned of, is due to the researches which brings evidences that the genetic material of someone can change if he/she has had been through some trauma or its like – but not that drastic one.
There are truly so many things that researchers have come up with trying to explain why I am as such or why are the other guys as such.
Rather, I do believe that Man has been born with the ‘fitrah’ which is the innate and instinctive predisposition man has been born with and if I am right then, our fitrah” is like that to our forefather, Adam (peace be upon him) – and which might somewhat explain to why, sinning is a transgression, something that is self inflicting, self harming.
It may be a matter of choice, I know guys who want to go into this life, irrespective of whether they are Muslims or not.
I just popped up to, to say that this is hard a trial but Allah does not burden us with what we cannot shoulder and that any brother or sister having this ‘feeling’ should try to subjugate it to his/her true nature and by beseeching Allah’s help.
I understand that I may or may not be cured of it, not because I am not a not a good believer as it is only ‘Kun Fayakun’ for Him. And I understand that there may be other brothers or sisters thinking as such, rather, one should know that there is a relief to come after each test, and relief has been mentioned twice in the Qur’an.
I just would like to add that this may be just a spiritual affliction that Allah has ‘blessed’ us with and that Allah has not created a disease except that He has brought along it, a cure.
Lut (peace be upon him) offered his daughters as a mean towards what is halal, and as a cure for those who want to fight this ‘desire’.
I feel that the Muslim community should try to help ‘us’ with an open arm because this does really help! Talking to us, helping us, providing us with the spiritual baggage that we need to counter these desires and it – Alhamdoulillah and insha’Allah – works and will work!
I understand that there may be brothers and sisters despairing that it’s too late, but it’s never too late to revert to Allah, and my last word would be that, Allah’s mercy surpasses his wrath and Allah is Wadood, the Loving.
Jazaak’Allah khair for your understanding onto this subject matter.
As’salaamualaikum wa rahmatulaahi wa barakaatuh.
Brother Nassr may Allah protect you, I hope and pray that things are good for you one day as I can see already that you know and most of all admit the way you feel and how wrong it is, keep smiling.
you rock….seriously
“They do have a choice” If i do have a choice then why cant i fall in love with a man ? why cant my stomick get butterflies when i see men ? why can i think sexy about men ? why cant i love a man ? why am i like i am ? i dont have a choice cause i cant love a man cause mans body is not sexy and does not make me happy … stop saying its a choice .. for some murderer in prision it may be but for people in real life it is not !
You can make the choice to obey Allah or disobey Him. Even if disobedience is easy and pleasurable and obedience is difficult and uneasy. You do have the choice.
This blog post was barely comprehensible especially with all your babbling requiring hyphens.
Had to edit the rest of this comment. It’s okay to criticize me, but I’m not gonna let you promote homosexuality on this website.
I am a gay muslim , 13 year old. Can you help me out? It wasn’t a choice, I was always attracted to men.
You do have a choice in what you do with your body.
What’s most important is do you know that homosexuality is against Islam? If you know and believe that, then you’re halfway home.
I, personally, cannot help you. But Allah can.
Turn to Allah and ask Him for help and be sincere in your effort to refrain from sin. If this is a struggle for you, then know that Allah will reward you for the struggle.
Learn to control your urges by fasting, staying away from immoral people who will condone bad behavior, stop watching television and movies, stop listening to music, and only use the internet to learn Islam. I know this doesn’t sound like fun, but these things will inflame your desires and make it even more difficult to refrain from sin.
The more good deeds you do, the more your faith will increase. The bad deeds you do, the more your faith will decrease. Therefore, do as much good as you can for other people and follow the commandments of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) as best you can.
And Allah is the source of strength.
[...] child who watches television even for just an hour can see things which are bad for his eyes, and mind. Even commercials are filled with filthy things such as half-naked people and sexually explicit [...]
I completely disagree to your comment: “I’m not convinced that it’s genetic. If so, then it should have evolved out of the human race by now.” My argument: If you do a little bit of research on genetics you will find that there are ocassions where mother nature (Allah, God, etc.) creates a genetically different being – in this case, human being. As an example: Down Sydrome. Based on your comment Down Syndrome people should be the only living creatures on earth since Down Sydrome has happened since humans walk on earth. I feel that comment is intended to confuse people by deviating the real finding on human genetics.
Wait, wait, wait. So…you’re saying homosexuality is a genetic disorder? It’s a disease? It’s something negative that the world’s governments should work together to do research in order to eradicate?
I totally agree!
Get educated…
Abu Ibrahim Edit: I’m sorry, we’re gonna stop right there. You’re defending both homosexuality and the corrosion of Islamic values via so-called progressive Islam. And on top of that you accuse me of not knowing what a dictionary is. Lame.
It really bothers me when people use the story of Lot to support their hatred and prejudice …
Abu Ibrahim edit: I’m sorry, I’m not gonna let you promote homosexuality on an Islamic blog. Sorry, ain’t gonna happen on my watch.