My question is about homosexuality and why is it haram. I grew up in the masjid, I never expected/wanted/asked for this. I’m fact I prayed to be normal, but here I am, a male attracted to males. What about all these guys who grow up in Saudi, how do they know anything about being gay, as strict as Saudi Arabia is about that. The Quran talks about the people of Lot, I don’t think I’m as bad as them. I don’t rape anyone, I’m not a thief, I don’t do “al-fahesha” in the club. In fact, other than being a male who’s attracted to males, I’m a decent Muslim. Do I get married to a woman who I’m not attracted to, when she has physical needs is that fair to either one of us. What’s the right thing to do?!

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Homosexuality is prohibited because Allah, The Almighty, prohibited it, as established by the texts of the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah, The Exalted, does not prohibit anything except because He knows it to be harmful to His Creation. He knows the interests of His slaves best and is more Merciful towards them; He Says (what means): {Does He Who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?} [Quran 67: 14]

The harms of homosexuality are clearly known to everyone and are no secret. It is sufficient that it is indicative of a distorted human nature. It is known that a man was not created for that, i.e. sodomy, and, therefore, such an act is repulsive to anyone endowed with sound nature, be he a Muslim or a disbeliever. Moreover, it leads to many diseases such as AIDS and others. It is worse than Zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), about which Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.} [Quran 17: 32]

Moreover, the one afflicted with such evil inclinations has an aversion to women and is unwilling to get married; this is sufficient evil because it hinders reproduction. Allah, The Exalted, Says about Loote (Lot) and his people (what means): {He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So, fear Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?" They said, "You have already known that we have not concerning your daughters any claim, and indeed, you know what we want."} [Quran 11: 78-79] There are many other harms resulting from this sin.

Homosexuality is prohibited, whether it is practiced in private or in public. The verse about Prophet Loote, may Allaah exalt his mention, and his people (which means): {Indeed, you approach men and obstruct the road and commit in your meetings [every] evil.} [Quran 29: 29] relates what they used to do. Al-Qurtubi narrated on the authority of Mujaahid that he said: “They used to commit sodomy in their public gatherings before one another.” [End of Quote] Mentioning that they committed sodomy in “their meetings” is irrelevant (to the ruling); this act is prohibited and reprehensible in all cases.

Having homosexual inclinations often has its root reasons. Anyway, if a Muslim is destined to be afflicted with homosexual inclinations, it is incumbent on him to fear Allah, The Almighty, and repel such inclinations by means of repentance and adherence to guidance. He should strive to restrain himself, and were Allah, The Exalted, to see his sincerity, He would bless him with recovery and well-being. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means):

- {And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.} [Quran 29: 69]

- {…if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.} [Quran 47: 21]

Besides being true to Allah, The Exalted, he should continue to supplicate Him (for recovery) and hasten to sincere repentance. Please, refer to Fatwa no. 86527 about the conditions of repentance. Furthermore, he should also keep the company of righteous people and avoid the company of those who are defiantly disobedient and guilty.

In addition, marriage is one of the most important means of treatment and steadfastness on the path of repentance and guidance. To be fair to himself, a homosexual person should get married to help himself adhere to chastity. You are not obliged to inform the prospective wife of your condition if you believe that you can fulfill your minimum duties towards her in terms of sexual satisfaction, which is one of the objectives of marriage. If your condition affects her sexual gratification due to impotency or the like, it is incumbent on you to inform her of it to be fair to her.

For more benefit on homosexuality, please refer to Fatwa 82048.

Allah knows best.