Islamic View on Same Sex Relationships
Islam is a religion that teaches that there is no tribe, race, ethnicity or color superior over the other; the only thing that counts is the piety and fear of Allah. Muslims are not to judge others because Allah is the only one who can judge based on their actions and intentions. But we as Muslims learned to fight the evil forces that are here to destroy humanity. When we refuse to accept a certain behaviour or act, it is not actually judging the persons associated with it. Our purpose is only to educate the people and spread the message of truth. So is it haram to be gay? YES, it is forbidden to be gay (or lesbian) in Islam and you will not find a single Islamic scholar that would permit being gay. Even in the Old/New Testaments, same sex relationship is known as a sinful act. Unfortunately, secular governments have taken over and their agendas override any religion. However, I am not going to change Allah’s commandments to please a person or a group that accepts homosexuality.
Why is it Haram to be Gay?
The Quran has repeatedly mentioned the story of prophet Lot who was sent to his tribe to guide and warn them about same sex relationship: 80) And [We had sent] Lot when he said to his people, “Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds? 81) Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.” 82) But the answer of his people was only that they said, “Evict them from your city! Indeed, they are men who keep themselves pure.” 83) So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained [with the evildoers] 84) And We rained upon them a rain [of stones]. Then see how was the end of the criminals” (Chapter Al-Araf). After reading these verses, you must understand that God never shows his wrath and destroys a whole tribe/town unless they are engaging in a major sin that would destroy humanity. Humans since the time of prophet Adam (first male) and Hawa (first female) have mated with the opposite sex not only because it’s the norm, but because it is the natural way of life, just like the air we breathe. In chapter Al-Rome, verse 21: “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.”
How to Defeat the Desires of being Gay?
If you really want to know if something is right or wrong, look at your purpose in life and see if a certain action goes along with your purpose or not. As humans, we are here to worship God alone, to reproduce and grow, and to build the earth. Homosexuality does not meet any of the above goals. I understand that a gay or a lesbian person may truly have feeling/attraction towards the same sex but that does not make it a natural feeling. I would consider it a disease just like any disease out there, which needs a doctor/specialist. For example, some of the top common diseases in the world are anxiety and depression disorders; we all go through depression or anxiety sometimes but does that make it natural to be depressed? Of course not and that’s why if you see depression start to interfere with your life, you go and see a specialist.
Also, you must always remember that everyone in this life will go through some sort of trials and tribulations as a test. God chose this as your test and He wants to see how you will face it. If we all submit to our desires then we can expect the worst results for ourselves in this life and Hereafter. I will end with a saying by our beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “If you leave something for the sake of Allah, in return, Allah will replace it with something better” (Abu Qatadah/Abu Al-Dahma). Be confident that if you fight the desire of being gay specially if it’s really difficult for the sake of Allah, Allah will give you the tools to make it an easy mission and He will give you something much better in this life and in the next life insha’Allah (if Allah Wills).