Zina [Adultery/Fornication]

It is rather unfortunate that sin and evil has become so rife nowadays that people don't even regard sin as sin anymore and how true are the words of our beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), "A time will dawn upon man that Zina (adultery) will become so widespread that the most pious man in this world will be that person who witnesses two people doing evil on the street pavement. This person would go up to them and say to them that go and do your action behind a tree, he will not stop them from the evil rather he would tell them that instead of doing it in front of everybody, go and do your actions behind a tree. The person who tells them this will be the most pious person. Today, we are presently experiencing the above adultery is being done openly, everywhere without any prohibition or obstruction." (Islahi Khutubaat, Mufti Taqi Usmani vol.7 pg.32) In an Aayat of the noble Qur'aan, Allah Ta'ala commands the believers, "Say (O' Muhammad) unto the believers lower your gazes and protect your private parts. That is more pure for you. Verily, Allah is all informed of what you are doing." (Surah Nur). Evil glances is to look at any Ghayr Mahram especially with desire or to attain pleasure whether the person is alive or it is a picture. Both situations are totally Haraam. The greatest hindrance for the reformation and purification of the innerself is the sin of evil glances. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) explained in a Hadith, "Evil glances is a poisonous arrow from the arrows of Iblees." (Majmauz Zawaaid vol.8 pg.63) In another Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned, "The Zina of the eyes is in evil glances and Zina of the ears is by listening (to evil) and Zina of the tongue speaking (about evil) and Zina of the hands is in touching (forbidden) and Zina of feet is in walking (towards evil) and the heart desires and hopes (in evil) and thereafter the private parts accepts that (acts upon it) or rejects it." (Mishkaat pg.20) Therefore, according to Shari'ah, to look, speak, listen, etc. to any Ghayr Mahram except at the time of extreme necessity is Haraam and impermissible. In an Aayat of the noble Qur'aan, Allah Ta'ala says, "And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts." Although the reason for revelation is a specific incident and the wives of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) are specifically mentioned but this is general for the entire Ummah, i.e. if the woman wants to get something from the men, e.g. utensils, clothing, etc. thus, she [should] not come in front of him, rather ask for it from behind a veil. (Ma'aariful Qur'aan vol.7 pg.200; Idaaratul Ma'aarif) In another Aayat, Allah Ta'ala says, "And stay in your homes and do not display yourselves, like that at the time of ignorance." (Surah Ahzaab 33 vol.33). Therefore, the command unto women is to stay at home and only come out at the time of a necessity which is sanctioned by the Shari'ah, should a need arise, total Shar'ee Hijaab should be adhered to. By a person fighting his Nafs and saving himself from sinning, he will attain the sweetness of Imaan. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "A thought comes into a person to cast evil glances and who is that person who doesn't get these thoughts and his heart is also encouraging him to just take a look! But he fears Allah and saves himself by not casting an evil glance. This will cause a great burden but Allah Ta'ala will grant such sweetness of Imaan that he won't even consider looking in future." (Ahmad vol.5 pg.264) It is, therefore, imperative that awareness should be created amongst the Muslim students to both male and female regarding the importance and laws of Shari'ah especially with regards to Hijaab and intermingling of the sexes. The administration of MSA should be encouraged to adhere to the laws of Shari'ah, contextually, the laws of Hijaab.

Solo Sex (Male and Female Masturbation)

The following extracts from the writings of a dignified physician of the Unani medicine will give one some idea of the damage done through masturbation: "Most often, students, bachelors or widowers and hypocritical godly persons are its victims. It is such an evil practice that has ruined many families and many more are being ruined today. The lack of manly vigor and decline in the standard of young men's health is evidence enough for this horrible social evil, eating into the vitals of an otherwise healthy nation. If only our young men could foresee the consequences of this evil at their own hands bring on them! It can be said with some certainty that eighty percent of our young men are the victims of masturbation. This accursed practice affects equally the heart, the brain, the liver, the stomach, the kidneys along with the reproductive organs. This practice makes the muscles and the nerves of the reproductive organ sagging and lifeless. Accumulation of fluids in the veins makes it unfit for its normal function. There is extreme feebleness in the power of erection. The heat of the friction between the delicate muscles of the organ and the tough hide of the hand damages the former beyond repair." (Miftahi, Modesty and Chastity in Islam) Following the excitement which accompanies masturbation, comes the feeling of shame, anger, humiliation, and the sense of futility. This sense of guilt and humiliation deepens as the years go on, into a suppressed rage, because of the impossibility to escape. The one thing that it seems impossible to escape from, once the habit is formed, is masturbation. It goes on and on, on into old age, in spite of marriage. And it always carries this secret feeling of futility and humiliation. And this is, perhaps, the deepest and most dangerous cancer of our civilization. Instead of being a comparatively harmless vice, masturbation is certainly the most dangerous sexual vice that a society can be afflicted with, in the long run. MASTURBATION UNDER ISLAMIC LAW Islam strictly forbids the waste of seminal fluid through masturbation. The one who discharges his seminal fluid with his hand is damned. This evil practice removes the normal bright look of a man's face, and he looks melancholy and dejected. He loses his health and quite frequently his vitality and sexual stamina through this disgusting practice. The Qur'an declares: "The Believers are those who abstain from sex except with those joined to them in marriage bond, or those whom their right hand possess for (in their case) they are free from blame, but those who crave something beyond that are transgressors." Beyond the wife and slave woman all ways and means of sexual satisfaction are unlawful. They include adultery, sodomy, masturbation, etc. From this it can be deduced that masturbation falls under the context 'but those who crave...' and is therefore immoral and a sin in Islam. Views expressed by the Shafi'i jurists on this matter are clearly illustrated by Imam Nawawi whose opinion is typical of the Shafi'i jurists as a whole. He declared that masturbation was absolutely forbidden. It was only permitted when it was performed by the hand of a man's wife or concubine, for he has a right to the enjoyment of her hand as he has to the rest of her body. The author of Subul al Salam according to al-Juzairi, states: "Some of the Hanbali and Hanafi Jurists are of the opinion that masturbation may be permissible in the event that one fears (that is, not engaging in it) would lead to his committing adultery, fornication. But be cautious that such a view is weak and is not to be relied upon." According to the Maliki school of thought masturbation is deduced to be illegal from the following hadith narrated by 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (Radhiallaahu Anhu): "We were with the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) while we were young and had no wealth whatsoever. The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: 'O assembly of youths; whoever among you possesses the physical and financial resources to marry, should do so, because it helps him guard his modesty; and whoever is unable to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.'" Therefore, the jurists of this school are of the opinion that if masturbation was permitted, the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would have acknowledged its permissibility because this is much simpler than fasting. Since the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) did not mention it, demonstrates that it is prohibited. From the evidence presented so far, it can be seen that Shari’ah not only classifies this type of unnatural waste of seminal fluid as illegal, but also advocates strict measures for its prevention.

Sex-Change Operations in Islam

Q & A: Is a Sex-Changing Operation Permissible?

Transsexuals are such people who believe in their minds that they are trapped within the bodies of the opposite sex. Those who are physically male believe they are actually females and they want to be females physically and demand operations to change their sex organs to suit their mental feelings. Many of them resort to committing suicide if they do not have the necessary sex change operations.

Q: Is it permissible for them to undergo these sex change operations? Is it permissible for Muslim physicians to perform these operations?

A: In terms of Islamic Shar'i Principles, there is no way that a woman or man (irrelevant of whether medical science classifies such people as transsexuals or whatever) would be permitted to undergo a sex-change operation in order to change his/her Allah-given gender status as that of the opposite sex.

Allah has created each human as a member of a specific gender, male or female. If he/she now undergoes an operation to transform him/herself into a member of the opposite sex, he/she would be flagrantly violating many injunctions and commandments of the Qur'an and Hadith.

In order to protect and preserve the identity of each gender, Shari'ah has gone to the extent of even prohibiting males and females from merely emulating members of the opposite gender, in their dress and appearance, etc. How then would Shari'ah tolerate complete sex changing operations? Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Saheb Gangohi (rahmatullahi alayhi) has emphatically mentioned its prohibition (see Fatdaa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 5, Pg. 163].

The following hadith is noteworthy in this regard:

"Rasulullah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) cursed those men who emulate women and also those women who emulate men." [as narrated by Bukhari. (Mishkat, Pg. 380)].

Furthermore, undergoing a sex-change operation would be tantamount to altering the natural and normal features, organs and attributes given to a person by Allah Ta'ala. Altering and tampering with the creation of Allah Ta'ala for the sake of undergoing a sexual transformation should hence be totally forbidden. The prohibition of altering Allah-given normal features and attributes is labelled by the Qur'an as being a ploy of Shaytan, as the following ayah of Surah Nisa illustrates: (Shaytan said): "And I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle and to deface features and attributes created by Allah Ta'ala."
Allah Ta'ala then warns people who fall prey to the ploys of Shaytan: "Whoever, lakes Shaytan as a friend, while forsaking Allah, has surely suffered a loss that is manifest." [Surah Nisa, ayah 119].

Oral Sex

Oral sex between a husband and wife is considered as Makruh Tahrimi by the jurists, since there is strong possibility that by ejaculation, Mazi (semen) comes out and enters the mouth of the partner. There is consensus amongst the Fuqahaa that Mazi is Najis (impure).

ORAL SEX

Man has been created as a bearer of high and noble attributes. In him he mirrors the attributes of divinity (Sifaat-e-Ilaahiyya) such as life, knowledge, power, will, sight, hearing, speech, love, etc. In the authoritative Tafseer of the aforementioned Aayat, it is said that Insaan (man) has been adorned with the Noor of Aql (the light of intelligence). This celestial faculty of intelligence creates in Insaan the capacity for the manifestation of the lofty and divine attributes of Allah Taãla. By virtue of the Noor of Aql man becomes incandescent by being a mirror for these lofty attributes and manifestation (Tajalliyaat-e-Zilliyah and Sifaat-e-Zaatiyyah). As a direct consequence of this lofty pedestal which Insaan occupies in the Divine Scheme, the mantle of Khilaafah (vicegerency) has been conferred on him. Stating this fact, the Qurãn declares: Verily I shall be creating on earth a Khaleefah.

In the Tafseer of the Aayat mentioned at the beginning, it is also said that in relation to all the species of life, man has been endowned with the most beautiful form. All other animals have been created in a lowly form with their heads downwards. Their faces constantly pointing downwards to the earth indicate their low rank in relation to man. In contrast, man has been created upright and he eats his food by means of raising it with his hands unlike the lowly beasts with faces downwards.

HIS DEBASEMENT

In the Tafseer of the Aayat, it is said that when man willingly destroys his natural ability to progress to the pedestals of elevation, he degenerates and falls from his lofty mansion. He then falls to levels lower than the level of dogs, pigs and even Shayaateen.

SUPERIORITY

According to the authentic Tafaseer, prior to the creation of Aadam (Álayhis salaam), the Malaaikah (angels) entertained the opinion that Allah Taãla will not create any being superior to them. Allah Taãla negates this opinion of the Malaaikah by creating Aadam (Álayhis salaam) and making him a manifestation of divine attributes. To illustrate Insaan's superiority over all pecies of creation, Allah Taãla commanded the Malaaikah to make Sajdah (prostration) to him (Nabi Aadam -- Álayhis salaam). The superiority of man is well emphasised by the statement of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam): "Allah created Aadam in His (Allah's) form." Insha Allah, this Hadith will be explained in greater detail in some future issue of 'the Majlis'. Here it is sufficient to mention the interpretation of the authorities intelligence, sight, hearing, etc. These lofty attributes are located in that part of the human body called head. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) forbade striking or slapping the face of any human being or even an animal. In the Tafseer of the Qurãnic Aayat which permits husbands to beat wives in cases of necessity, it is said: "The face shall not be slapped". Explaining the reason for the prohibition of slapping the face, Imaam Nawawi (RA) says in his Sharhul Muslim, "Because the face is the embodiment of man's beauty in addition to it being of sublime nature."

THE LATAA-IF-E-SITTAH

In man there are six metaphysical or non-material or spiritual faculties known as the Lataa-if-e-sittah. Two of these lofty faculties, viz. Lateefah Khaafi and Lateefah Akhfa are located in the head. The Lateefah Akhfah is located in the centre of the brain while the location of Lateefah Khafi is between the eyebrows. The functions of these faculties are the highest states of reflection and contemplation, progressing from the high state of Fana to Fanul Fana. These are spiritual or Roohani stages which shall not be discussed in this article.

PATHWAY FOR QURÃN

In the Ahaadith, the following narration appears:

"Verily, your mouths are pathways of the Qurãn, therefore purify your mouths with Miswaak."

The Makhaarij or places from whence Qurãnic huroof (letters) emanate are located in the mouth. The high Ibaadat of Tilaawat of the Qurãn shareef is effected via the mouth, hence the Hadith describes the mouth as the 'pathway of the Qurãn'. Since it is, literally speaking, the channel for the recitation of the Qurãn shareef, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) emphasised much the maintainance of its purity. The emphasis on the purity of the mouth could be gauged from the many times Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) would use the Miswaak everyday to clean his mouth. The practice of Miswaak is strongly stressed by the Shariáh. In one Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "When the servant of Allah uses the Miswaak and then performs Salaat, an angel stands behind him, listening attentively to the recitation of the Qurãn. The angels draws closer and closer to the reciter and places his mouth on the mouth of the reciter. Thus every word emanating from the mouth of the Musalli enters the angel's mouth. Therefore, maintain your mouth pure and clean for the Qurãn."

ZIKRULLAH
The actual purpose underlying the creation of man is Zikrullah or the remembrance of Allah Taãla. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) ordered Muslims to maintain their tongues fresh with the Zikr of Allah Taãla.
The facts mentioned above will indicate that Insaan is Ashraful Makhlukaat (the noblest of creation) and the noblest part of his body is his head which is the location for lofty faculties and attributes which earn for him the designation of 'the form of Allah'. In order that he maintains his lofty rank and progresses continuously towards loftier mansions and closer Divine Proximity, it is essential that man exercises restraint over his physical and animal qualities. If he fails in this respect, he will descend to a level below the lowly beasts. Allah Taãla has endowed man with intelligence, will-power and shame. He must employ these attributes to subdue his animal and carnal desires and refrain from indulgence in the excesses of lust. If he fails in this achievement he will annihilate himself spiritually and degenerate to sub-animal levels.
The sublimity of Islam is of such a lofty degree that it exhorts its adherence to adopt dignity, deportment and propriety in even sexual relationship. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) advised his Ummah to abstain from total nudity when indulging in sex and not to behave 'like asses'. Since Islam is a culture of transcendental values calculated to ensure maximum remembrance of Allah Taãla, a Muslim should not debase himself to a sub-animal level by resorting to the vile practice of oral sex.
The mouth of Insaan is the pathway of the Qurãn, his tongue has been commanded to remain fresh with Zikrullah; his mouth is situated in the noblest part of his body; the functions of his mouth are noble and lofty; his mouth is a passageway for transference of the recited Qurãn into the mouth of the listening angel. He cannot, therefore, debase and dishonour himself so disgracefully by resorting to the revolting practice of oral sex. A Muslim should not dishonour that head and face which the Shariáh of Islam commands to be honoured. Allah Taãla honoured the human head with noble qualities, the highest being the Noor of Aql, but man debases that lofty part of his body by indulging in an act of bestiality not even committed by the lowly beasts. It does not behove man in general, and a Muslim in particular to degrade himself in this manner.
The Mu'min's link with Allah Taãla is so strong or ought to be so strong that the Shariáh has prescribed a particular Duá to be recited even when a man approaches his wife for sexual relations. Even at the moment of reaching climax and ejaculation, the Muslim is required to read in his mind (without moving the lips) a special Duá so that he remains protected from any Shaitaani interference. We learn from the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) that Shaytaan attempts to interfere with man even while he indulges in lawful sex, hence the wording of the special Duá for this occasion is: "O Allah! Protect us from Shaytaan and protect the offspring you grant us from Shaytaan".
Allah Taãla has honoured man highly, hence the Qurãn says, "Verily, We have honoured the sons of Aadam". He is therefore not allowed to debase himself with the bestial acts which even the lowly beasts do not commit.
The mouth is an honoured part of the physical body. It is not a receptacle of impurity. The Shariáh emphasises the maintainance of its purity. Even in the developing foetus, Allah Taãla has arranged for the maintainance of the purity of the mouth. The umbilical cord connects the developing embryo to its mother. It is the passageway in which exchange of nutrient and waste materials with the circulatory system of the mother takes place. In man the umbilical cord arises at the navel below which is the location of the rebellious Nafs which reduces man to sub-animal levels if not restrained. Why does Allah Taãla not create the foetus with the umbilical cord attached to its mouth so that its nutrition reaches it in the normal way, viz. Via the mouth? Right until the very last moments prior to its emergence into the external world, the baby's nutrition is via the umblical cord. Immediately on reaching the outside world its nourishment reaches it from the mouth. Since the umbilical cord is also the passageway for impure waste matter, its connection is near to the location of the lowly nafs. The mouth has thus been guarded against impurities.
The facts presented in this article should be sufficient to convey to Muslims that their Imaan and the spirit of the teachings of Islam do not permit them to grovel in the dregs of debasement and perpetrate moral injustice by utilising the mouth for deriving sexual pleasure. This is not the function of the mouth. It is a misappropriation of an amaanat (trust). All parts of the body are Amaanat which have to be utilised in accordance with the instructions of Allah Taãla. Such contamination and moral pollution as entailed by oral sex are most unbecoming the dignity and rank of man, especially if the Insaan appears to be a follower of the illustrious Shariáh of Muhammad (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Allah Taãla states in the Noble Qurãn, "Verily, Allah loves those who purify themselves".

Homosexuality in the Light of Islam

The aim of natural sexuality is procreation. Lawful and natural sexual relations between man and woman has been designed by Allah to preserve the human race here on earth. Homosexuality is negatory of the natural role and aim of sexual activity.

The experts on homosexuality and other forms of sexual deviation advance a series of groundless assumptions in their discussion on the causes of such unnatural sexuality. They attribute it to hereditary taints, genetic causes, environmental influences, animal instincts in man, etc. In certain cases, e.g. 'transiet homosexuality' where men are separated from women such as prisons, same sex institutions, etc., they argue that the criminal's blame will be considered as diminished in view of his circumstances.

Islam does not accept any type of justification for the unnatural sin of homosexuality regardless of any biological, psychological or environmental factors which may influence a man to indulge in this type of grossly unnatural immorality. This should not be interpreted to mean that Islam does not recognize the reality or validity of the existence of the various factors which influence man to commit homosexuality. However, the presence of any destructive influences which lead man towards this unnatural and bestial act of immorality does not constitute a valid excuse for indulgence in acts of deviation and inhumanity. Just as fornication, rape and other criminal acts of immorality cannot be condoned because of biological, psychological, environmental factors, etc, which may be the causes which occasion the crime, so too, can these factors not be cited in favour of diminished blame for the act of homosexuality. In spite of the existence of the factors (described as causes) of adultery, human culture does not permit man and woman to indulge in this crime notwithstanding the naturalness of heterosexuality. They are required to restrain themselves and behave within the bounds of chastity and morality.

In like manner man is required to exercise restraint and overcome his emotional, biological demands, etc. and manage the disturbances within him. He, as a member of the highest species of Allah's creation, is under moral obligation to control the dictates of his lust - whether such lust directs him towards unnatural or natural avenues - and refrain from smearing his soul and intellect in such loathsome indulgence.

Modern studies and the many consequent theories regarding the crime of homosexuality tend to convey a blurred conception of the biological disturbances as well as some environmental factors are even tendered as mitigating circumstances to reduce the stigma and the blame from the homosexual. This idea has made homosexuals daring and revengeful of their unnatural crimes. They have come to regard their misdirected lust as morally acceptable. They, as well as the 'experts' who have undertaken research in homosexuality, have deceived themselves into believing in the idea of diminished blame and moral acceptance, of this unnatural act. As long as man's intelligence is not inflicted with insanity, he is held responsible for his actions and he is Islamically under compulsion to restrain his perverted cravings so that he does not descend into a sub-human level of existence.

Man's gratification of his sexual appetite with another man has a long history of its own. The Qur'an bears testimony to the fact that the people of the prophet Lut (Alayhis salaam), the nephew of Ibriham (Alayhis salaam), sent as a warning to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, were those who initiated this heinous practice. Before them it was unknown. In this connection the Qur'an mentions:

"We also sent Lut. He said to his people, 'Do you commit indecency such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For you practise your lusts on men in preference to women; you are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.'"

These Sodomites even indulged in their homosexual orgies publicly. Their wickedness had attained the level where the mere sight of a handsome young man made them so agitated that they pounced upon him as famished people would fall on food. Even honoured guests did not enjoy immunity or any privileged position. They did not hesitate in even resorting to violence in achieving their lustful object.
The Qur'an has depicted the scene when the angels of punishment [came to] Lut (Alayhis salaam) as his guests in the guise of handsome young men. Hadrat Lut (Alayhis salaam) did not recognized them in the first instance. But he knew the shameless habit of his people. He was extremely distressed and he apprehended that his people would certainly demand unnatural and shameful sexual activity. His apprehension was correct. They could not sit silently at the news of such "boys" of excellent beauty. These sodomites recklessly rushed to the home of Lut (Alayhis salaam) to gratify their unnatural desires. Lut (Alayhis salaam) found himself in a difficult situation. He prompted them to legally satisfy their sexual appetite with women even offering his daughter in lawful marriage to the most gentle of them, and not insisting on this unnatural outlet. Then he very effectively appealed to them, in the name of the Almighty, that they should abstain from disgracing him by dishonouring his guests.
The Qur'an states:

"And his people came rushing towards him, and they had been long in the habit of practising abominations. He said: 'O my people! Here are my daughters: they ore purer for you (if you marry)! Now fear Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a right-handed man?'"

But the accursed people inflamed with evil passions turned a deaf ear to all his reasoning with them. They had lost all sense of morality and were blind in their voluptuous sentiments. On this occasion they even taunted him for his frequent protests in the past against their sins. Hadrat Lut (Alayhis salaam) seemed helpless in the situation in which he found himself, - alone against a rabble of people inflamed with lustful passions. He wished he had the strength to suppress them himself or had some powerful support to lean on! But the powerful support was there, though he had not realized it till then. It was the support of the Almighty. His guests were not ordinary men, but Angels who had come to test the people before they inflicted punishment. They now declared themselves and gave him directions to get away before the morning, when the punishment would descend on the doomed cities. Even in Lut's (Alayhis salaam) household was one, i.e. his wife, who detracted from the harmony of the family. She lagged behind and looked back, i.e. one whose mental and moral attitude, in spite of association with the righteous was to hark back to the glitter of wickedness and sin. Finally, the wrath of the Almighty descended upon them, their cities were turned upside down and showers of stone rained on them. Regarding this the Qur'an mentions:

"Then when Our decree came to pass. We turned the cities upside down, and We rained thereon stones of baked clay, piled up."

The punishment of turning upside down given to this people resembles outwardly their shameless deed of homosexuality. The shower of stone was very thick so as to form layers. It is also said that the name of each man was written or engraved on those stones which were the cause of their annihilation. The inversion of cities by way of punishment was the task which was assigned to Jibra'il (Alayhis salaam). Homosexuality is also a form of sexual inversion, hence the type of punishment was most befitting in that it also symbolized their unnatural acts of immorality. Showers of stones (not hail-stones, but real stones) are not a normal occurrence. So too, the punishment of the inversion of the cities (was quite rightly justified). Thus, unnatural forms of punishment were prescribed by Allah for the unnatural sins of the homosexual community.
The community of Lut (Alayhis salaam) was a prosperous nation materially and they inhabited five cities: Sodom, Gamurah, Udmah, Laboobem and Sughar. The Qur'an refers collectively to these five cities with the term Mu'tafikaat (the inverted cities). The cities are so designated because of the perverted crimes of sexual inversion of their inhabitants and because they were physically inverted and eliminated by the command of Allah.
Before the people of Sodom, never did this evil even enter the mind of mankind, let alone practicing it. The Umayyad Khalifah "Abdul Malik said that if this episode of the homosexuals was not mentioned in the Qur'an, he would not have conceded the reality of this crime since it was unthinkable that man will descend to such a degenerate level and debase himself in a type of act which is not indulged in by even the overwhelming majority of lowly beasts."
Nevertheless, even after the community to which prophet Lut (Alayhis salaam) was sent as cautioner, met their catastrophic end, sodomy continued and even sometimes flourished. It is now known that homosexuality existed before the pre-Christian era among the so-called 'civilised' nations of the world especially the Greeks and Romans. It was not only confined to common masses, but even legendary and prominent figures such as Socrates, Aristotle, Julius Caesar and many others practiced it. (Miftahi)
In thirteenth century France, homosexuality was the great craze of the day and the government of the country had to enact a law that those found guilty of this unnatural crime will be put to death. And Germany was not far behind in the pursuit of this craze. Before Nazi Germany there was a famous person, Dr. Magnus Herschefield, (who had been the president of the Society for the Reformation of Sexual Behaviour), who launched powerful propaganda in favour of sodomy for six years. Finally 'democracy' acceded to this demand and the strictly forbidden became approved. It was decided by majority vote that homosexuality among the males was no longer an offence provided it was indulged in with mutual consent of the parties involved and in case of the object of the unnatural love being a minor, his guardian had to give his consent. In the Orient, Iran has been notorious and Persian poetry amply supports it. Karachi has also been named in this regard. It is said there were three centres there, where eunuchs carried on that unnatural business. Afghanistan (then under Communist influence) has also been mentioned. India, too, is not so clean in her records in this field, although the common people are involved in it to a limited extent. It is the educated and the sophisticated people who take to it as a diversion. The educational institutions, schools, colleges and centres of oriental studies too are not free from this curse.
Islam strictly forbade this detestable deed and prescribed the severed punishment, relenting not in the least in making it a deterrent. The Qur'an cautions that once people take to homosexuality, they sink to the depths of moral degradation. The admonitory punishment meted out to these transgressors was described in such a moving way that those reciting the Qur'an may learn the harsh consequences of this evil, and may protect themselves from this outrageous crime. To deter the Muslims from evil, the Qur'an initially declared to those participating in this perversion:

"If two men among you are guilty of indecency, punish them both."

Once Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) expressed his anticipated fear by stating that among the evils that his ummah can take to, he feared sodomy most. In fact, this was a forewarning measure that the ummah may guard against, realizing that the prophet himself had forbidden it. On one occasion Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) declared:

"Whoever gratifies his sexual urge with another (individual) of his own sex, Almighty will not so much as look at him."

Undoubtedly, sodomy is one of the most repulsive acts, even observed among beasts. Therefore, the sight of a homosexual will be so disgusting to Allah that it will intensify His anger to heights where He will not even consider glancing at a sodomist. Through this act, man degrades his humanity and announces extermination as his policy. Moreover, it implies wretchedness and misery of the womenfolk and he himself is prone to so many diseases: the basic organs of his body, brain, heart, liver and kidneys become deficiently immune (AIDS), his face lacks the sparkle of health and he looks off-colour and melancholy, with the result that such an incapacitated criminal becomes worthless to women. This wretched outcast deprives himself of the bounty of procreation and the priceless jewel of morality.

Homosexuality in Islam

By Shuoyb Ahmed

In this materialistic age when everything is being sacrificed at the altar of 'freedom', the world, from east to west, is witnessing a total collapse of morality and decency. Virtue is portrayed as evil while sins of every type are being glamourized so as to seem acceptable to society. Honesty, fidelity, generosity, piety, chastity, the fear of Allah, etc. are rarely looked upon as praiseworthy qualities while adultery, gambling, fraud, usury, cheating, abortion, homosexuality, lesbianism, etc. are fast becoming the order of the day. In many of the so-called democracies, there is no longer any stigma in even committing sins openly because of the many corrupt laws that support such sins. In fact today, in some of the world's biggest "democracies" the more a leader publicizes his immoral and adulterous exploits, the more his popularity seems to increase and the greater become his chances of being re-elected by the people. But the saddest part of this is that while the Muslims were supposed to lead the world out of this turmoil and offer it Islam as the only solution to its problems, they have begun to embrace the bankrupt ways of those who are themselves groping in the darkness of ignorance. Unfortunately many of the abominable practices found in the west and other kuffaar societies are creeping into Muslim societies. May Allah protect us!

It is time for the Muslim ummah to awaken from its slumber and realize that it is the duty of every Muslim to remind the whole of mankind that success lies only in fulfilling the orders of Allah in the way shown by our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This article, based on a pamphlet that was distributed in Shawwaal 1415 by the General Presidency, Dept. of the Promotion of virtue and the Prevention of vice, Saudi Arabia, discusses the issue of homosexuality and lesbianism in Islam. Although the masculine gender has been used in this article, it applies generally to both males and females alike.

Shuoyb Ahmed

THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, MY DEAR BROTHER, THE MUSLIM YOUTH

My Respected Brother-in-Islam
Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

In the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and in keeping with the Sunnah of our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who has said, 'None of you has Imaan (Faith) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself', please allow me to offer to you the following words of advice:

Every true believer living in this world fears the wrath and punishment of Allah Ta'ala. Are you safe, O my brother, from the punishment of Allah Ta' ala? The question each one of us has to ask himself is: Would you like to be amongst those who will be punished tomorrow, on the Day in which neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit except to that person who appears before Allah with a pure heart? Would you be happy if your soul were reduced to the lowest position after Allah had created it in the best of forms? Would you allow myself to be disgraced in front of the whole of mankind and the entire creation on the Day of Qiyaamah (Reckoning)? Certainly you would not like any of this to happen to you!

Please let me share with you some brotherly advice regarding just one evil that has become so widespread today - especially amongst the youth. I know that there may be many questions roving in your mind regarding this evil:

• What is this sin?
• Is it so grave that we should discuss it?
• What is the solution to it?
• How can we save ourselves from it?
• What are the harms and consequences of it?

Do not be too hasty for soon you will find answers to all your questions.

My Beloved Brother! You are certainly aware that the sin of homosexuality is haraam. But do you know how serious this crime is and just how despicable it is in the sight of Allah Ta'ala? Just imagine, my brother, that when it is against the very nature of man, nay even of animals, what is the position of the person who indulges in it! Is such a person unaware that Allah Ta'ala -- in all His Grandeur, Might and Power -- is watching him while he indulges in this haraam act? Is he not aware that Allah Ta'ala has the power to send down upon him a swift and severe punishment or even seize him while he is involved in it? What will his position be when he appears before his Rabb (Sustainer) on the Day of Qiyaamah?

"And such is the grasp of your Rabb when He seizes a community while it transgresses! Certainly His grasp is very painful." (Surah Hood, ayah 102)

Let us now look at a few verses of the Qur'an, Ahaadith, narrations of the Sahaabah (radhiallaahu anhum) and sayings and verdicts of the Ulama regarding the sin of homosexuality or sodomy. Thereafter, let us see what are some of the diseases that spread as a result of it as well as some solutions. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the ability to follow His guidance and the Sunnah of His Beloved Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
BEWARE!
Our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'Certainly the thing I fear most on my ummah is the (wicked) practice of the people of Loot.' (Tirmizi, Ahmad, Ibn Hajr Al-Haysami, Ad-Duri and Al-Aajuri) (Hadith Hasan)
Hadrat Ali bin Abi Taalib (RA) relates, 'Whoever allows himself to be used sexually (by becoming a homosexual or sodomite), Allah Ta'ala will expel from him the (natural) desire for women.'
Najeeb As-Sirri (AR) says, 'They (i.e. our pious elders) would even dislike looking at handsome young boys'.
Once Abul Aswad (AR) brought a letter which he showed to one of his students and said, 'I bear witness that this letter was dictated by Ali bin Abi Taalib (RA) to Abul Aswad: When men (i.e. homosexuals) will sexually satisfy themselves with men and women (i.e. lesbians) with women, then earthquakes will occur, faces will become transformed and stones will rain down from the skies.'
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has also said "May Allah curse him who does what the people of Loot (alayhis salaam) did." (Ibn Hibbaan)
He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has also said, "Lesbianism by women is adultery between them." (Tabraani)

A LESSON FROM HISTORY
It is a well-known fact that when this wretched disease spread among one nation in the past, Allah Ta'ala caused punishments to rain down from the skies upon them. Allah mentions their story in many places in the Qur'an. At one place, He says,

"And (We also sent) Loot (as a Messenger). 'Behold, he said to his people, do you do what is shameful even though you see (that it is wrong)? Would you really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, you are a grossly ignorant people!' But his people gave no other answer but this: They said, 'Drive out the followers of Loot from your city. These are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!'
But We saved him and His family except his wife: We destined her to be of those who lagged behind. And We rained down on them a shower (of stones). And evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but failed to heed)." (Surah an-Naml, 54-58)

At yet another place, Allah Most High says: Do you approach the males of humanity, leaving the wives Allah has created for you? But you are a people who transgress. (Surah ash-Shu'raa: 165 &166)
From the first aayah, we learn that these people had themselves admitted that the family of Loot (AS) who had Imaan (belief in Allah) was decent, chaste and morally pure. They also acknowledged that the family of Loot (AS) refrained from this filthy practice. They realised this since it is natural for every person to immediately recognise the pure way of life inspired by Allah Ta'ala when they see it and also to make out any type of unnatural and perverted behaviour.
In the Tafseer (commentary) of these verses it is mentioned that the people of Loot (AS) were practicing both homosexuality and lesbianism. When Allah decided to punish them, He commanded Jibraeel (AS) to lift the village of Loot (AS) to the extent that the angels of the first heaven (sky) could actually hear the barking of their dogs. Jibraeel then turned them over and dropped them from this tremendous height. Thereafter, Allah Ta'ala caused scorching hot stones to rain down upon them. This is how this nation ended up being an example for the rest of mankind until the Day of Qiyaamah.
Imaam Al-Aajuri (AR) has said, 'Allah Ta'ala has informed you about the despicable act of homosexuality committed by the people of Loot (AS) and how He punished them by first snatching away their eyesight. Jibraeel (AS) was then instructed to uproot their cities with all the inhabitants until they were high up into the sky and then turn over their cities upon them. Thereafter they were pelted with stones of clay.' Such was their punishment that not a single citizen or traveller could save himself from the stones and from being completely destroyed.
It is said that they were four million in number. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer p.471 vol. 2)
Let us reflect! Why did Allah Ta'ala punish them so severely in such a manner that He had never punished any other nation before? Surely their sin must have been really serious for Allah Ta'ala to have punished and destroyed them in this way.

DISGRACE IN THIS WORLD
The acts of homosexuality and lesbianism are certainly a perversion and a serious deviation from the inherent nature of man. These acts of defiance against human nature are also even viler and uglier than adultery. There is consensus among both Muslims and the followers of other religions that lesbianism and homosexuality are evil and filthy practices. This is why it is not surprising to find that Islam so vehemently prohibits it and adopts such a harsh attitude against it.
The punishment awaiting such people in the Hereafter has already been explained, but what about their punishment in this world?
Since such type of behaviour was previously totally unknown to the Arab people, there is no record of any such incident having occurred during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) or that he was faced with a case of this nature. However, it has been confirmed that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said,

"Kill the one who sodomizes and the one to who lets it be done to him." (Tirmizi)

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) had passed such a ruling and Hadrat Ali (RA) was very severe in his ruling against such a crime. It is established that once Sayyiduna Khaalid bin Waleed (RA) found a man in the frontiers of Arabia marrying another man in the way a woman marries a man, so he wrote about it to Abu Bakr (RA). When Abu Bakr (RA) consulted with the Sahaabah, Ali (RA) who was the severest in his condemnation of it said, 'Only one out of the many nations had indulged in it and you all know how Allah Ta'ala had dealt with them. I feel that he should be destroyed by fire.' So Abu Bakr (RA) wrote back to Sayyiduna Khaalid (RA) who then put the man to death by means of fire.
Ibn Qassaar and Ibn Taymiyyah (AR) have said: All the Sahaabah (radhiallaahu anhum) were unanimous that he should be killed though some of them differed in the manner in which it should be done.
Abu Bakr (RA) said that he should be executed by being thrown from a great height.
Another view of Hadrat Ali (RA) was that a wall should be dropped upon him.
Hadrat Ibn Abbaas, Ali, Jaabir bin Zaid, Abdullah bin Ma`mar, Imaam Zuhri and Imaam Maalik (radhiallaahu anhum) have said that those who commit the evil deed of the people of Loot (AS) should be stoned to death, whether they be married or unmarried. This is also one of the narrations of Imaams Ahmad, Shaafi`ee and Abu Sawr (AR).
Hadrat Ibn Abbaas (RA) was once asked about the punishment for the homosexual. He replied, "He should be taken to the top of the highest building in the town and thrown headlong from there. Then he should be pelted with stones."
Jaabir bin Zaid used to say, "The prohibitive decree of the anus is far more serious than the prohibitive decree of the vagina." In other words, the prohibition against anal intercourse is far more severe than the prohibition against illegitimate sexual intercourse (with a woman).

ITS DANGERS IN THIS WORLD
Among the evil consequences of this sin are the many deadly and contagious diseases that result from it. Some of these illnesses are such that medical science -- with all its might, power and advanced technology - has failed to combat or even fully comprehend, let alone cure it. Certainly no one is able to rise above the Will of Allah Ta'ala and escape His wrath!
Some of these fatal diseases are:

• AIDS: There is no cure for it. It is contracted and spread through unlawful sexual intercourse and perverted sexual acts like homosexuality.
• GONORRHEA: which causes inflammation of the testicles, blockage of the urethra, inflammation of the joints and sterility.
• SYPHILIS: This is a type of venereal disease commonly known among the Arabs as 'the English Disease' since its origin lies in European societies where free intermingling of the sexes and immorality is rife. It results in insanity, paralysis, blindness, and other nerve disorders. Also leads to blood vessel damage and death.
• GENITAL ULCERS: which causes inflammation of the lymphatic glands. It also gives rise to chronic festering of tumours, inflammation of the urethra, severe pain in the joints and swelling of the limbs.
• HEPATITIS B: Its symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea and jaundice. It results in chronic hepatitis or liver cancer.

These are only a few of the many deadly diseases caused by perverted sexual behaviour. Could anyone ever desire contracting any of them?
May Allah Ta'ala protect all of us from all types of evil!

THE WAY TO SALVATION!
My Beloved Brother! Practicing on complete Islam is certainly the key to our success in this world and the Hereafter. Islam has provided us with the solution to problems in every sphere of our lives. Without doubt, the road to saving ourselves is simple and as clear as daylight -- and it is to keep ourselves far away from this grievous sin.
The following are some means that will help you to do this:

• Do towbah (i.e. repent sincerely) to Allah and turn to Him.
• Stay away from the company of evil people or friends who glamorize and glorify those deeds and things that are sinful and make them appeal to you. The company that the youth keep plays the greatest role in either reforming or corrupting them. Therefore, choose for yourself the company of righteous people who will be of help and benefit to you in the matters of your Deen (Religion) and your dunya (worldly affairs).
• Turn yourself and your gaze away from all those things that arouse the passions, like looking at and staying in the company of beardless, young lads or even pictures of them of which films, magazines, etc are brimming.
• Make every effort to get married in order to remain pure and chaste and respond to the call of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who has said, "O Assembly of Youth! Those of you who have the means to get married, should do so. And whoever is unable to do so, must keep fast. For this is certainly a protection for him." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
• Fast in abundance in order to suppress the carnal desires/passions. Our Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said, "Certainly shaitaan flows in (the body of) man like the flowing of blood. So, subdue him by keeping fast." (Sahih Bukhaari: vol.1 p.273 Book of Fasting)
• Spend your spare time in those activities that will benefit you because the mind of an idle person becomes the target of sinful thoughts whispered by shaitaan and your nafs (the self which commands a person to do evil).

AND FINALLY.MY DEAR BROTHER, O YOUTH!
What is the person who indulges in this evil waiting for? Is he waiting for the moment when death will suddenly overtake him while he is busy committing this sin? Has he given any thought to the condition of his father who had worked so hard to earn a living in order to bring him up and to see to his needs? How proud his father used to be of him, when he was a little boy, whenever he attended any gatherings! Has he thought about the condition of his mother who spent long, restless nights awake for the sake of his comfort? Is he now going to repay them with shame and disgrace them in front of everyone?
Or, is he waiting for death to overtake him while he is in the act of this despicable sin? Death certainly does not fix a time with us nor does it postpone its arrival for anyone, whether young or old!
My dear brother, this precious life is a special gift from our Beloved Creator, Allah, to us so that we may perform virtuous deeds and gain His pleasure. In fact, the principal motive behind everything that we do should be the pleasure of Allah -- and this is the real meaning of success. Allah tells us:

"But the pleasure of Allah is the highest achievement: This is the greatest success." (Surah at-Tawbah: 72)

Our life in this world is also a test from Allah. He has placed us in this world and created certain desires within us. But He has not made this world the place for the fulfillment of our desires. Here, we must fill our hearts with the fear of Allah and suppress our own desires and give priority to the wishes and orders of Allah over our own desires. In return for this, our Allah has promised to reward us with Jannah, the everlasting place of indescribable beauty and happiness that He has reserved for us in the Aakhirah.

"And for them who had feared standing before their Rabb (Sustainer) (on the Day of Qiyaamah) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, Certainly Jannah will be their abode. (Surah an- Naazi'aat: 40,41)

And since Jannah has been created as the actual place for the satisfaction of all our desires, everything there will be according to our wishes. Allah promises:

"Therein shall you have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall you have all that you ask for! A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!" (Surah Fussilat: 31,32)

In conclusion, my dear brother, I hope I have been able to illustrate clearly, yet briefly, the Islamic view regarding this sin and some of its harms so that it may serve as an eye-opener for those not involved in it and a means of earnestly repenting to Allah Ta'ala for those who have fallen into the trap of shaitaan.
It is now your duty, my beloved brother, to inform each and every youth of the sinfulness of this vice and its dangers and earn abundant reward from Allah Ta'ala.
I ask Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Powerful to grant all of us the ability to turn to Him in repentance, and to make what I have written and you have read, a witness in our favour and not against us. For Allah alone grants the Muslims the ability to do what is beneficial for them.