Position and treatment of homosexuals in an islamic state?

[matinbhagat]

Salam,

We know homosexuality has been forbidden for muslims in the quran and is described as a deplorable act. There are no clear punishments meted out, though the principles are that a society should not condone or encourage or create an environment to allow encouraging such activities. However, in many nations we see laws priding upon non discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is a fact that homosexual people would still have to work and contribute to the society and develope themselves in an islamic state. However, how do we reconcile their orientation with the laws that would of course prevent outward showing of their homosexuality?Would they all be discriminated and not allowed to play any role in society?Besides if this condition is viewed as a psychological problem are there any conclusive studies done or being done to prove this. I am always in a dilemma as to I know homosexuality is wrong but i "feel" that discriminating and ostracizing homosexuals isnt right, however with my limited knowledge i am not sure of their position in an islamic state and how should we feel about them and treat them. I am worried to also say its their choice and we should not really interfere when its mentioned as an unnatural and abhorrent act by God.Pls give your inputs regarding this issue,all related or indirectly related issues are welcome to be posted as a reply.Thank you. May ALLAH increase us in knowledge.

Salam

[bkanwar2]

Dear Brother, AA

Homosexuality comes under the broad term Fahasha, meaning= Crossing limits. This word in Qur'an is also used to depict injustice 7:28-29 & 16:90, stinginess in 2:268, 17:32 for adultery and for lewdness in 29:29 and more.

In 33:30 Fahasha means not following divine laws, is contrasted with Yuqnatt in 33:31 means following divine laws

يا نساء النبي من يات منكن بفاحشة مبينة يضاعف لها
العذاب ضعفين وكان ذلك علي الله يسيرا
33:30 O Wives of the Prophet! (You will be seen as role models for other women, therefore), if any of you displays unseemly conduct, double would be her suffering, for indeed, that is easy for God.

ومن يقنت منكن لله ورسوله وتعمل صالحا نؤتها اجرها
مرتين واعتدنا لها رزقا كريما
33:31 And whoever of you is devoted in the service of God and His Messenger, and helps improve the society, We shall give her reward twice over, for, We have readied for her a most excellent sustenance.

In 29:28-29 in meaning of lewdness

ولوطا اذ قال لقومه انكم لتاتون الفاحشة ما سبقكم بها من احد من العالمين
29:28 And Lot said to his nation, “Surely, you commit lewdness such as no people in Creation ever committed before you.

ائنكم لتاتون الرجال وتقطعون السبيل وتاتون في ناديكم المنكر فما كان جواب قومه الا ان قالوا ائتنا بعذاب الله ان كنت من الصادقين

29:29 Do you not indeed approach males, and cut off the way of Nature? Do you not commit highway robbery? And do you not commit shameful vices openly in your assemblies?” But his people’s only answer was, “Bring down upon us the punishment of God if you are a man of Truth.”

In in 70:80, homosexuality, is again called as Fahasha, confirmed in 7:81.

ولوطا اذ قال لقومه اتاتون الفاحشة ما سبقكم بها من احد من العالمين
7:80 Lot told them, “You commit such an abomination that no one in the worlds has done before you.” [Hud, Saaleh, and their respective followers, escaped destruction because they believed in the Revelation and took appropriate precautions. The people of Prophet Lot lived by the Dead Sea in Sodom]

انكم لتاتون الرجال شهوة من دون النساء بل انتم قوم مسرفون
7:81 You approach men with lust in preference to women. Nay, but you are a people crossing all bounds.”

Punishment for spreading Fahasha/lewdness is in these verses

واللاتي ياتين الفاحشة من نسائكم فاستشهدوا عليهن اربعة
منكم فان شهدوا فامسكوهن في البيوت حتي يتوفاهن الموت او يجعل الله لهن سبيلا
4:15(Protection of honor and chastity for men and women, both, is the cornerstone of a virtuous society. 17:32, 4:24.) If any woman or a group of women spread sexual immorality or lewdness in the society, it is required that the appropriate court takes four honorable and reliable witnesses. If their testimony corroborates with other evidence (12:26), confine them to their houses, since immorality is as contagious as good conduct. This confinement would be for an indefinite period, unless such women seek the Way of God, such as repentance and making amendment, or the singles among them get honorably married.

واللذان ياتيانها منكم فاذوهما فان تابا واصلحا فاعرضوا عنهما ان الله كان توابا رحيما
4:16 If the two of you spread such immorality or lewdness in the society, both of them shall be punished (as determined by the appropriate court of law). But if they repent and mend their ways, leave them alone. God is the Acceptor of repentance, Merciful. (This includes homosexuality, male and female.)

Badar Kanwar

[Dr. Shabbir]

If we focus on the Quran we find that the People of Prophet Lot were annihilated through volcanic eruption. Their basic crime was committing lewdness openly in assemblies and thus spreading FAHASHA plus violation of human rights by ignoring women.

29:28 And Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination as no one in the world has done before you.

29:29 Do you not approach males, and cut off the way of nature? Do you not commit highway robbery? And do you not commit shameful vices openly in your assemblies?” But his people’s only answer was, "Bring down upon us the punishment of God if you are a man of truth."

29:30 He prayed, "My Lord! Help me against people who spread corruption and disorder."

29:31 When Our Messengers brought the glad news to Abraham (of a son Isaac), they also said, "We are appointed to herald the annihilation of that town, for its people are wrongdoers." [Abraham lived in Hebron, Palestine about 1800 BC. From the heights in Hebron they could see the Valley of Sodom by the Dead Sea]

29:32 Abraham said, "But Lot is also there." They said, "We know well who dwell there. We will certainly save him, his household and his followers; all but his wife who will stay behind (since she has stayed behind in belief)." [Ahl of a Prophet includes his household and his followers. 7]

29:33 When Our Messengers came to Lot, he was grieved on their account, for he could not protect them. But they said, "Fear not, nor grieve! We are appointed to save you, your household and your followers, except your wife who will stay behind.

29:34 We are about to herald the heavenly requital upon the people of this town because of their drifting away from Permanent Values.”

29:35 And so it was. Therein We have left a clear sign for people who use their intellect.

11:82 And so, when Our command came to pass, We brought low the highly arrogant towns (Sodom and Gomorrah), and rained down upon them hard devastating rocks (from the volcano).

11:83 The stones were marked arrows from your Lord. His requital is never far from those who choose to do wrong.

Surah 15. Al-Hijr – The Valley of Rocks

[Author’s Note] This is the 15th Surah of the Quran. It has 99 verses. Al-Hijr implies "The Valley of Rocks". The valley extends from Makkah to Syria, a distance of about 1,000 miles. The people of Prophets Saleh and Sho’aib inhabited here in their respective times. Prophet Lot was sent a bit north in the valley, close to the Dead Sea. Rocky and desert grounds, the “stone-hearted” behavior of these three communities, and the history of their annihilation through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, perhaps gave the Valley its name. The ancient Greek philosopher, Ptolemy (Batlimus) mentioned the place as ‘Hegra’.