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 sc
orching 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.