Fatwā

QUESTION

How does one deal or interact with people from the LGBTQ community in an Islamic way?

ANSWER

السلام عايكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

I see it fit to cite here some of the Muslim Judicial Council’s official statement pertaining to the issue:

1. The primary sources of legislation in Islam are the Qur’an, Sunnah and Ijmā’ (scholarly consensus). All these sources unequivocally prohibit same-sex actions and, by extension, same-sex marriages. This ruling falls under a category of directives classified as “known to be part of the Islamic faith by necessity”.
2. The one who contests the rulings belonging to this category has effectively rejected the categorical law of Allah. They have consequently taken themselves out of the fold of Islam.
3. A person who has desire for the same sex but who does not contest the law of Allah remains Muslim. He or she is in the same category as one who desires to fornicate but who does not contest the Sacred Law. Persons in these categories who protect themselves from that which Allah has prohibited, despite their desires, will be rewarded.
4. It is essential that those who are tested with such desire and who strive to uphold the law of Allah be commended for their struggle. The Muslim community should in no way ostracise them. By contrast, the Muslim community should strive to include them in their gatherings of worship and social activities. This stance of love and tolerance has always been the way of Muslims, especially in the Western Cape.
5. Lastly, when engaging with non-Muslims belonging to the LGBTQ community, we should display good conduct. We may clarify the position of Islam if the context is appropriate. However, we must be cautious about taking all available measures to avoid spreading hatred. Our religion teaches us to hate the sin, not the sinner.
   

This statement outlines the position to be taken by the Muslim community towards two kinds of individuals. Firstly, the Muslim who is tempted by homosexual urges and abstains, who is to be commended and wholly welcomed, and secondly, the non-Muslim of LGBTQ alignment, to whom our position should be made clear, while striving to avoid the spread of targeted hatred and abuse.

What remains to be addressed, as well as what I assume this inquiry is related to, is the Muslim person who concedes the impermissibility of homosexual acts but chooses to engage therein anyway. He is practically no different to someone who knows murder and consuming alcohol are forbidden yet chooses to do them. This person, if he propagates and promotes his mischief, he should no doubt be ostracised. However, if he keeps to himself his sin, he should not be ostracised, rather admonished in repentance. Only in the event he persists do we resort to ostracising, until such a time he relents.

وﷲ تعالى أعلم

And Allah knows best

Y Karaan
DUAI Fatwa Department