Gays - What is Their Place in Islam?

What does Islam really say about homosexuals?

Islam considers homosexuality as a sexual deviation leading to a perverted act which goes against the natural order Allah intended for mankind. It is a corruption of the man's sexuality and a crime against the opposite sex. Therefore, the Islamic Shari'ah strictly prohibits the practice of this perverted act. This is mentioned in many places in the Quran.

The story of the people of the Prophet Lut who were addicted to this practice, is the best example. Prophet Lut (Peace be upon him) said to his people:

"Verily, you do sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer! And practice all wickedness in your meetings," [Noble Quran 29:29]

And he said to them:

"Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your wives? Nay, you are a trespassing people!" [Noble Quran 26:165-166]

But their answer to Prophet Lut (Peace be upon him) was:

"Bring us the Wrath of Allah if you are telling us the Truth." [Noble Quran 29:29]

And so Allah gave them the punishment they deserved:

"And We rained on them a rain of torment. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned," [Noble Quran 26:173]

Just as a person who has a sexual urge should not satisfy it by committing Zina, a person who has this perverted thought should not act upon it. In order to maintain the purity of the Muslim society, most Muslim scholars have ruled that the punishment for this act should be the same as for Zina (i.e. one hundred whiplashes for the man who has never married, and death by stoning for the married man). Some have even ruled that it should be death for both partners, because the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Kill the doer and the one to whom it was done." [Related by Al-Bayhaqi].