Homosexuality – A Dive into History

By Raja Zia ul Haq
(CEO of Youth Club)

On June 26th, 2015 the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage all across America. The news saw rapid media frenzy and a dazzle of rainbow-tinted display pictures on social media, all in support for the new, gay marriage laws.
The premise behind the celebration being, that this is a victory for “love”. But the question is; Is it really?

You will find some people making gay relationships seem like an “alternative lifestyle” for those who wish to pursue it; “different strokes for different folks” as they say.

However, the reality of the practice of this unnatural phenomenon is far from anything even remotely normal, even if the whole world was engaged in it. At this point, bear in mind that there is a difference between one who is effeminate (but does not commit sodomy) and one who is a homosexual (who commits sodomy, i.e. having sexual relations with a member of the same gender).

THE JEWISH & CHRISTIAN STANCE

The Torah is the primary source for Jewish views on homosexuality. In Leviticus 18:22, it is mentioned: “And you shall not cohabit with a male as one cohabits with a woman. It is an abomination.”

Similarly, in Leviticus 20:13, it is says: “And if a man cohabits with a male as with a woman, both of them have done an abominable thing. They shall be put to death – their blood falls back upon them.”

In the New Testament, Romans 1:25-27, it states: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.”

The punishment faced by Sodom and Gomorrah bears testimony to the above.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodom_and_Gomorrah)

THE ISLAMIC POSITION

In Islam, we believe that Allah is the Lord and Creator of all things. He is the One who originated the Heavens and the earth and He is the One who has power over everything. Therefore, it is He who legislates what is good or bad, what is virtue or what is sin.

It is obvious that not all sins are the same. Some are worse than others and therefore the punishment for them is befitting of the crime. These punishments may be experienced in this world and/or the next, unless a person sincerely repents, turns back to Allah and mends his ways.

For example, murder is a sin, but murdering your own flesh and blood is far worse. Likewise, stealing is a sin, but stealing in times when there is neither famine nor drought, is far worse. Also, rape is a sin, but the rape of a minor (child) is far worse. And finally, sex (zina) outside of marriage is a sin, but sex with someone from the same gender is far worse.

In all of the worst cases mentioned above, the person not only commits a sin but goes beyond the norm, or beyond human nature to do something that is a total abomination and something that is far worse.

Allah (SWT) created men to desire women, to fulfill their needs with them in marriage, to have children through them and raise a family. This is the natural and normal state of man.

In the case of homosexuality, when a person acts against the fitrah (innate disposition) of human beings, he then becomes guilty of one of the most dreadful sins – in Islam there are no two opinions on that.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Lut (i.e. doing acts of homosexuality), execute the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.”
[At-Tirmidhi 1456, Abu Dawood 4462, Ibn Majah 2561. Classed as Sahih.]

The sahabah (companions) of the Prophet (SAW) agreed with consensus, that the punishment for homosexual acts is death. The only difference of opinion was how the offender is to be executed.

Abu Bakr and Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) were of the opinion that those guilty of homosexual acts should be burned to death. Others, such as Ibn Abbas (RA) held the view that they should be thrown from the highest point of the city, and thereafter stoned (till death). Yet others thought that they should be stoned to death, as was narrated from both Ali and Ibn Abbaas (RA).

There is not even a single companion of the Prophet (SAW) who held a different opinion than death, for the one who commits acts of homosexuality.

INCURRING THE WRATH OF ALLAH

From the Qur’an, we find that many nations were punished in different eras for their crimes and atrocities against themselves, against other human beings and against Allah (SWT). But none were punished more severely than the People of Lut (AS) – a people who were guilty of homosexuality.

In fact, they were the nation that received many different punishments, all packed in one. Their entire population, including their houses, were turned upside down on them, they were submerged into the earth, stones fell from the skies upon them in furious rage, they were rendered blind and their punishment was made a sign for other nations, till the end of times.

These were the first ever people who crossed the limits to practice homosexuality. The Qur’an mentions:

“Do you commit the worst sin such as none before you has committed in the worlds? Verily, you practice your lusts on men, instead of women! Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds!” [Qur’an 7:80-81]

They were known as the people who committed evil and wicked deeds of the highest order. The worst possible filth imaginable.

“…And We saved him (Lut) from the town that practiced al-Khaba’ith (the filthiest deeds). Verily, they were a people given to evil, and rebellious sinners.” [Qur’an 21:74]

Eventually, when their crimes reached their heights, Allah (SWT) sent angels to carry out their destruction due to their continuous persistence in transgressions.

“They (the angels) said: Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this town (of Sodom); truly, its people have been Zaalimoon (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah).” [Qur’an 29:31]

The angels came to Prophet Lut (AS) in the form of handsome men – and as soon as the town folk saw them, they began to lust after them. They followed them to the house of Lut (AS) and demanded that they be handed over to them. At this point, this Prophet of Allah (Lut) made a desperate plea; marry my daughters, but leave these guests of mine alone!

“And when Our Messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on for them and felt himself straitened for them (lest the town people should approach them to commit sodomy with them). He said: This is a distressful day. And his people came rushing towards him, and since before, they used to commit crimes (sodomy) – he said: O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the women of the nation), they are purer for you. So fear Allah and disgrace me not with regards to my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?” [Qur’an 11:77-78]

Drunk with lust and shamelessness, the people told Prophet Lut (AS) that which he already knew.

“They said: Surely you know that we have neither any desire nor need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!” [Qur’an 11:79]

Lut (AS) breathed a cold sigh and made a heartfelt prayer; for this was all he could do.

“He said: Would that I had strength to overpower you, or that I could depend upon some powerful support (to resist you).” [Qur’an 11: 80]

Hearing this, the angels spoke and revealed to Lut (AS) their true identity and the real reason for their arrival.

“They (the angels) said: O Lut! Verily, we are the Messengers from your Lord. They shall not reach you. So travel with your family in a part of the night, and let not any of you look back…” [Qur’an 11:81]

Hearing this, Prophet Lut (AS) was relieved. But he was worried that they might be attacked before they have the chance to flee the city. The angels assured him that the punishment was close.

“Indeed, morning is their appointed time (for destruction). Is not the morning near?” [Qur’an 11:81]

And so it was, just as promised the end of this transgressing nation came at dawn, when they were in a state of heedlessness – not the least bit vary of the colossal punishment that was coming their way.

“So when Our Commandment came, We turned (the towns of Sodom) upside down, and rained on them stones of baked clay, in a well-arranged manner one after another; Marked from your Lord, and they are not ever far from the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers, disobedient to Allah).” [Qur’an 11:82-83]

CONCLUSION

To those who continue to engage in this horrendous sin, I urge you to fear Allah. There is still time for you to turn back in repentance, and you will find Allah to be the Most Forgiving.

But should you choose to proceed in your disobedience, then know this – After this life ends, there is another that awaits you. Where you will be held accountable for every ounce of sin that you committed in this world. Without a doubt, the end is closer than you think.

“Indeed, morning is their appointed time (for destruction). Is not the morning near?” [Qur’an 11:81]

#homosexuality #gays #lesbians #LGBT #GayPride