Islam And Homosexuality: What Does The Faith Teach?

The question of whether Islam is compatible with homosexuality is a complex one, with no clear answer. With over a billion followers, Islam is the second-largest religion globally and is noted for its diversity of culture and ethnicity. As a result, Muslim beliefs on issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people vary widely.

While the Quran, the sacred text of Islam, does not explicitly mention homosexuality or gender identity, its interpretation has been used to oppress LGBTQ+ people. However, some scholars argue that the Quran does not address homosexuality directly, and that Islamic societies have historically been more tolerant of same-sex relationships.

In recent times, Muslim-majority countries have generally opposed moves to advance LGBTQ+ rights and have retained laws that criminalise same-sex relationships, with punishments ranging from imprisonment to death. However, there is a growing movement, particularly in the West, towards creating inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ Muslims, with some mosques and Islamic scholars re-examining Islamic teachings on same-sex relationships.

The Muslim faith's stance on homosexuality is not unified

The Muslim faiths' stance on homosexuality is not unified. With over a billion followers, Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, and its followers inhabit diverse geographic, linguistic, and cultural spaces. As a result, Muslims' beliefs on issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people vary widely.

Islam has no central governing body, so it is challenging to state clear policies regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Islamic individuals and institutions hold a range of beliefs, from welcoming and inclusive to rejecting LGBTQ+ individuals to the extent of social sequestration or physical violence. However, there is a growing movement, particularly in the West, towards creating inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ Muslims. This includes re-examining Islamic teachings on same-sex relationships and working to establish affirming mosques and community groups.

The interpretation of Islamic sacred texts, such as the Quran and hadith, plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards homosexuality within Islam. Some scholars argue that the Quran does not explicitly condemn homosexuality or LGBTQ+ individuals. They advocate for a more inclusive interpretation of Islamic teachings, emphasising the diversity and flexibility of Islamic beliefs. On the other hand, traditional interpretations of these texts have been used to oppress LGBTQ+ people and justify hostile attitudes and discriminatory laws in many Muslim-majority countries.

The views of Muslims themselves are also diverse and evolving. While contemporary Muslim public attitudes towards homosexuality are generally negative, there is a growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly among younger Muslims in Western countries. Efforts by LGBTQ+ Muslims and their allies to create inclusive spaces and reinterpret Islamic teachings are gaining momentum, challenging traditional interpretations and fostering a more accepting environment for sexual and gender minorities within the faith.

Islamic texts have been used to oppress LGBTQ+ people

In the Quran, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often interpreted as a condemnation of homosexuality. The story describes the men of the city demanding to have sex with the male messengers sent by God to the prophet Lot. The Quran terms their actions as "lewdness" or "fahisha" in Arabic. This story is used as a basis for the view that homosexuality is a punishable offence, with some scholars prescribing capital punishment.

In addition to the Quran, the Hadith (sayings and actions attributed to Muhammad) also contain references to homosexuality. Some Hadith record that Muhammad prescribed the death penalty for both partners in a homosexual act. However, other Hadith seem to permit homoerotic feelings as long as they are not acted upon.

The interpretation of these Islamic texts has led to the persecution and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in many Muslim-majority countries. In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan, the maximum punishment for homosexual acts is public execution. In other countries, such as Egypt and Iraq, homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized but individuals are prosecuted under vague "morality" laws.

While there is diversity among Muslims and their beliefs towards LGBTQ+ people, the influence of Islamic texts has contributed to a generally hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Muslim world.

There is a growing movement to create inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ Muslims

There is no central governing body in Islam, and therefore no clear policies regarding issues of interest to LGBTQ+ people. As a result, Islamic individuals and institutions fall along a wide spectrum of beliefs and attitudes, from welcoming and inclusive to violently rejecting.

In the United States, there is a growing movement to create inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ Muslims and their allies. This includes scholarly work that interprets sacred texts through a lens shaped by Muhammad’s own celebration of the diversity of Creation. Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) has founded Unity Mosques in Atlanta, Columbus, and Los Angeles. The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity hosts an annual retreat for LGBTQ+ Muslims in Pennsylvania. The MECCA Institute was also recently established as an online school for the study of an inclusive theology of Islam for those seeking more expansive and inclusive interpretations of Islamic texts.

Transgender men and women are recognised and accepted in many Islamic cultures around the world. In 1988, gender reassignment surgery was declared acceptable under Islamic law by scholars at Egypt’s Al-Azhar, the world’s oldest Islamic university. However, transgender Muslims often suffer rejection, social and cultural isolation, and verbal and physical violence in their communities.

While it is rare that an openly LGBTQ+ Muslim feels fully welcome at a mainstream mosque in the United States, a growing number of Islamic scholars, particularly in the West, are re-examining Islamic teachings on same-sex relationships and the condemnation of LGBTQ+ people. There are also growing opportunities for alternative and meaningful worship and community. For example, female and LGBTQ+ imams now hold leadership roles in many communities, including Unity Mosques. Imam Daayiee Abdullah, founder of MECCA Institute, Ani Zonneveld, founder of MPV, and Amina Wadud, an independent Islamic scholar, are prominent American Muslim leaders working for LGBTQ+ inclusion today.

Islamic scholars are re-examining teachings on same-sex relationships

This re-examination is taking place against a backdrop of widespread rejection of homosexuality in Muslim-majority countries, with most opposing moves to advance LGBTQ+ rights and recognition at the United Nations. In these countries, prejudice, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, and violence are prevalent, with laws against homosexual activities in a larger number of Muslim-majority countries, and some prescribing the death penalty for convicted offenders.

However, there is no central governing body in Islam, and beliefs on LGBTQ+ issues vary among Muslims depending on nationality, generation, family upbringing, and cultural influences. While some Islamic individuals and institutions fall along a spectrum of rejection that can be marked by social sequestration to physical violence, others are welcoming and inclusive.

In the United States, there is a growing movement to create inclusive communities for LGBTQ+ Muslims, with organisations such as Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) founding Unity Mosques in Atlanta, Columbus, and Los Angeles. The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity hosts an annual retreat for LGBTQ+ Muslims in Pennsylvania, and the MECCA Institute was recently established as an online school for the study of an inclusive theology of Islam.

Transgender men and women are recognised and accepted in many Islamic cultures, with gender reassignment surgery declared acceptable under Islamic law by scholars at Egypt's Al-Azhar University as early as 1988. However, transgender Muslims often suffer rejection, social and cultural ostracisation, and verbal and physical violence in their communities, particularly if they remain in their place of origin.

While a traditional reading of the Quran can lead to the condemnation of same-sex relationships and marriages, the lack of a central governing authority means communities and individuals are free to make their own choices. Same-sex weddings are performed by a small number of imams and at some Unity Mosques and other inclusive mosque communities across the United States and Canada.

Some LGBTQ+ Muslims are reconciling their faith and identity through inclusive mosques

The Quran's stance on homosexuality is a topic of debate among Islamic scholars. While some argue that the Quran condemns homosexuality, others claim that it does not explicitly address the topic. This lack of a clear stance has led to varying attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals within Muslim communities, ranging from acceptance to rejection and discrimination.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement, particularly in Western countries, towards creating inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ Muslims. This includes the establishment of LGBTQ+-friendly mosques, such as Unity Mosques, that aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ Muslims to worship without fear of judgment. These mosques often have no dress code for women, no gender segregation, and women regularly lead Friday prayers, offering a progressive approach to worship that differs significantly from mainstream mosques.

One example of an LGBTQ+-friendly mosque is the Unity Mosque in Toronto, co-founded by Imam El-Farouk Khaki. Khaki wanted to create a Muslim space that "welcomed all humans and celebrated human diversity, including gender and sexual diversity." He noted that when the mosque first opened in 2009, it was one of the only explicitly LGBTQ+-inclusive spaces, but things are starting to change, with more groups and communities embracing inclusion and diversity.

Another example is the Ibn Rushd-Goethe Mosque in Berlin, the only self-described liberal mosque in Germany. This mosque, founded by lawyer and feminist activist Seyran Ateş, permits men and women to pray together and bans full-face veils. Despite receiving a fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling, condemning the practice of men and women praying together, and hundreds of death threats, the mosque continues to champion its progressive form of Islam.

These inclusive mosques are helping LGBTQ+ Muslims reconcile their faith and their identities. LGBTQ+ Muslims often face a struggle between their sexual and religious identities, and these mosques provide a sense of belonging and a religious-spiritual reference point. Additionally, LGBTQ+ Muslims may engage in critical and historical interpretations of the Quran, aligning their identities with the traditional Quranic ideals of human dignity and social justice.

While the movement towards LGBTQ+ inclusion within Islam may be relatively small, its impact is far-reaching. Researchers have begun exploring LGBTQ+ Muslim movements beyond Western contexts, uncovering progressive developments within Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia and Singapore. This growing body of research highlights the diverse ways in which LGBTQ+ Muslims navigate their identities and faith, challenging the notion of a uniform stance on homosexuality within Islam.

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