JazakAllah khayr Imam Suhaib Webb for composing such a beautiful response. At times I feel sick how we Muslims refuse to open our eyes to reality and instead of helping our brothers and sisters, we become judgmental and end up turning them away from Islam. Even as a born-Muslim, I struggle with some things myself and wish that I had a community leader who held my hand and explained how certain things can be reconciled with my faith.

I personally can’t wait to have you in Boston. The youth of New England has waited too long for an inspirational and understanding leader like you and alhamdolillah, Allah swt has finally blessed us.

Wassalam.

Sister,this tells us that as Muslims, it is never our place to decide what sin is and what it isn’t–rather the straight path is defined by Allah and sin is defined as earning His anger. We ask for His guidance so that He can lead us to His grace, away from what angers Him. Allah answers this call to guidance with the rest of the Qur’an.

So, we only need to be sincerely in touch with the Qur’an, this Mercy, to know what guidance is. This is our reference point, the lens with which we see this world. If we find that our own views conflict with the message of Islam in the Qur’an, we should repent and ask Allah to guide us.

In surah 7, we are told very clearly that homosexuality is a sin: We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: (7:80)”Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?”

We are all sinners, but the best of us is the one who can acknowledge our shortcomings in actions and intentions and repent for them.

May Allah SWT guide us all.

However, I feel very uncomfortable with some of the points made, such as the ‘There are a group of professionals who offer counseling to those who are struggling to fight the whispers of homosexuality.’ It seems to imply that homosexuality itself is inherently evil, and not just the act.

This I find to be problematic- all homosexuals i have met do not view their ‘gayness’ as a choice. Rather, it is just who they ‘are’, just as someone just ‘is’ heterosexual. Therefore your suggestion that they should go to some therapy, an implication that they should be ‘cured’ would offend many gay people. It reminds me of the Arabic word for homosexuality:’deviated’.

InshaAllah you will address the questions i have raised. Thank you for your continuous efforts in educating the Muslim community. May Allah swt reward you.

elud·edelud·ing
Definition of ELUDE
transitive verb
1
: to avoid adroitly : evade
2
: to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of

I apppreciate your answer to this young man. All humanity is drawn towards some evil or another. This young man knows his inclinations, is disturbed by them, and trys to avoid acting on them. He is in precisely the same position as a heterosexual man or woman attracted to someone other than his wife, who resists his very human, if sinful inclination.

If this man does resist out of his desire to do the will of God he is on the way. Inshallah Allah will guide him to Himself. Nothing then is impossible, and he receives great merit for resisting his wrongful inclinations.

Your merciful answer reflects the Mercy of Allah.

while your response starts beautifully, i must respectfully disagree with your conclusion.

while i am not homosexual myself, i do not believe homosexuality is evil. it is a natural human tendency and can have the same tenderness, commitment and love that a heterosexual relationship does.

a person who is naturally homosexual and tries to fight his/her inclinations will suffer – and perhaps visit that suffering on others.

in the way they force left-handed children to write with their right hands, the result of turning a simple, natural behaviour inward can have serious psychological effects that manifest themselves elsewhere.

but worst of all, by doing that, we can turn a person away from his/her Creator

and that is never, ever any person’s purpose.

i apologize for my temerity but as a muslim, i must speak for people who are oppressed, marginalized and often suffering bigotry and discrimination.