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Sodomy (HOMOSEXUALITY)
Sodomy,
or intercourse between two males, was the crime of the people of Lut. Allah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And (remember) Lut, when he said to his people: 'You commit al-faahishah
(sodomy - the worst sin) which none has preceded you in (committing) among
the 'aalameen (mankind and jinns). Verily, you commit sodomy with men, and
practice al-munkar (disbelief, polytheism and every kind of evil deed) in
your meetings.' . . ." [al-'Ankaboot 29:29].
Because
of the repulsive nature and enormity of this sin, Allah inflicted four kinds
of punishment which He had never before inflicted in combination upon any
other people; they were: these people would be blinded, their city would be
turned upside-down, stones of baked clay, piled up, would be rained down upon
them, and an awful cry would be sent upon them. In Islam, those guilty of
this crime are to be killed by the sword, according to the soundest opinion.
This punishment is to be carried out on both the one who does this and the
one to whom it is done, if it is done freely and by choice. Ibn 'Abbaas reported
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whomever
you find committing the sin of the people of Lut, kill them - both the one
who does it and the one to whom it is done." (Reported by Imaam Ahmad,
1/300; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 6565). The modern-day spread of incurable
diseases like the killer AIDS caused by this corruption that were unknown
to our predecessors, is an indication of the wisdom of the Sharee'ah in prescribing
this severe punishment.
Allah
has mentioned in the Qur'an that the People of Prophet Lot were involved in
homosexuality. Their deeds are called "khaba'ith" (the most dirty
acts). Allah's curse came upon them and they were destroyed by fire and brimstone.
Islam strictly forbids 'Unnatural Sexual Indulgence: Homosexuality (illicit
sexual relationships of men among themselves), Lesbianism (illicit sexual
relationships of men among themselves) and Zoophilia (Sexual intercourse with
Animals) Homosexual behavior is sinful and shameful. In Islamic terminology
it is called "al-fahsha'" (an atrocious and obscene act). Islam
teaches that believers should neither do the obscene acts, nor in any way
indulge in their propagation. Allah says, "Those who love (to see) obscenity
published broadcast among the Believers will have a grievous Penalty in this
life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows, and you know not. (Al-Noor 24:19)
In the Islamic literature, the word homosexuality is always referred to with
its negative connotations. In modern Arabic literature it is called "Shudhudh"
which means "abnormality". In our Fiqh literature it is referred
to as the "Behavior of the People of Lut" ('amal qawmi Lut). This
immediately reminds a person that this is something bad and it may bring the
punishment of Allah. Once our minds get used to this idea then we develop
a natural abhorrence towards this behavior. Furthermore when Muslims discuss
this or similar Haram acts, they often say, "A'adhana Allah min dhalik"
(May Allah protect us from this).