The above essay is one of the key researches done for this blog, and I often refer readers to it in order to grasp the essential argument for the prohibition of homosexual acts based on the Qur’anic narrative concerning the punished people of Lut (peace be on him), also known as the Sodomites.

Of course, the prohibition does not rest on that story (mentioned in eight passages of the Qur’an) alone, but extends from the general Qur’anic prohibition of any sexual relations outside marriage, as well as specific hadith texts condemning homosexual activity. Even so, this story provides a core upon which a broader understanding can be built.

I have cast a fresh eye over the essay and added a few paragraphs in reference to common claims based purely on wishful thinking, especially the idea that the Sodomites were guilty of male-male rape as opposed to consensual relations.

I’ve also made the Qur’anic passages more easily searchable thanks to the folks at Quran.com!

“Gay” and Muslim: Beyond Condemnation

See also this dialogue with Dr. Mamdouh El-Adl, a psychiatrist.

It is a measure of how far we have come as a society in the last ten years that we are now appalled by hatred and invective directed at people on the basis of their sexuality. It is time for the law to recognise this.

Jack Straw, UK Justice Secretary

u guys r sick u r out of islam, why do u claim to b muslims, ur even worse than kufaar themselves, UR OUT OF ISLAM…PAGANS…LOOK ONLY AT SODOM DOZ IT REMINDS U SMTHNG…U LL B REMOVED FROM DIS EARTH INSHALLAH LIKE THEY HV BEEN…LA3NAT ALLAH 3ALEYKUM…STOP CLAIMING UR KUFR IN THE NAME OF ISLAM U DIRTY PPL…ISLAM IS NOT ABT MEN HVING S*** WIV MEN…OR WOMEN WIV WOMEN…WATS DIS TIME WER LIVIN IN.????

Did you wonder before why we call ourselves “compassionate” even though we’re critical of homosexuality? Maybe now you know. I dare say this outpouring of rage is not representative of most Muslims’ attitude, even though most would probably still be shocked at the very mention of “gay Muslims”. We have a long way to go before the issues are understood properly. In the meantime, people with deviant ideas about Islam are allowed to gain ground. 

To make it easier for casual visitors, here’s another small selection of posts from which you can gain a balance of our views. There is loads more besides!

Muslim Before Anything Else

“Are we going to Hell?”

We’re not “ex-gay”

The Dangers of Denial

When Muslims are brick walls

The role of the “scholars”

Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (PDF)

They address him in terms of facts and reason, and the list of signatories is itself diverse and impressive. Refer to previous posts about scholarship!

Don’t laugh… tsk tsk, now that’s not nice.

UPDATE: Now also on Google Video.

I rather wish there were a bar on the side of this template for highlight posts, or recommended reading… but in the absence of that, here is a list to guide new visitors who want to dive into our way of thinking! I have loosely categorised them to make browsing that bit easier.

Religious guidance:
Muslim Before Anything Else
“Are we going to Hell?”
Actions, Attractions and Personal Responsibility

Concepts (religious & philosophical):
L, G, B and T
Gay + Muslim = Gay Muslim?
We’re not “ex-gay”
The Dangers of Denial
Genetics and Morality

Gay Muslims (sociology & religion):
The C4 documentary (I)
The C4 documentary (II)

The Queer Muslim Movement:
The role of the “scholars” (also follow links at bottom of post)
Daayiee vs. the “rabid homophobes”
Interview with Adnan Ali
The power of wishful thinking
Imaan and Pride

Current affairs and controversies:
That storm in a teacup
Are gays perverts? (MEMRI & Qaradawi)
MCB to fight homophobia?
When Muslims are brick walls

This is a snapshot of prominent words in this blog. I’m not sure what I think of it. You can make your own here.

MyHijrah.org

[I mistakenly wrote earlier that it was Malaysian... sorry!]

A spokeswoman for the college, where Badawi was the principal, said Badawi had been speaking at the Islamic Finance Summit in London when he was taken ill.

“He was at a conference at the time, he collapsed, an ambulance came and took him to hospital,” she said.

His funeral would probably take place on Friday, she added.

Only a few days ago I corresponded with him (for the first and only time) over his statements on civil partnerships. It all seems rather trivial right now.

In that post, I made criticisms of Dr Badawi’s understanding of the legislation, and of his apparent conclusions from that. I mentioned that there was a need for him to clarify his position on celibate homosexual partnerships, to avoid his fatwas being misused.

I’m sorry if that post seems insensitive now, but I will leave it as it was, because the concerns remain regardless. That being said, if anyone has further information about Dr Badawi’s opinions on those issues, it would be much appreciated if you could let us know.