Islam does not permit the persecution of homosexuals nor does it promote any hostility towards them.
Firstly, it needs to be understood that in Islam, everyone has a right to a private life. And Islam does not condone the invasion of that privacy; rather, it categorically condemns it. So what someone does in their private sphere of life, is solely a private matter for which God is the only judge.
Secondly, Islam acknowledges the fact that as humans we are subject to a plethora of tendencies, desires, passions, and influences which vary from person to person. Likewise, it does not deny that individuals can become susceptible to homosexual tendencies, to do so would be absurd.
But, can the mere existence of impulses and urges justify the execution of an act? This would be akin to accepting the acts of rapists or murderers, just because they had an inclination to act upon their impulses. Acting upon homosexual thoughts opens up a pandora’s box of societal vices that often result from immorality (eg. incest or pornography) and become detrimental to one’s spiritual and physical health. Hence, what Islam teaches is that such tendencies should be controlled for one’s own moral and spiritual development, and for the betterment of society and humankind at large.
There are many scientifically proven and logical reasons why homosexuality is against an objective understanding of what is acceptable for the human race. Homosexuality threatens the very existence of humankind, threatening the survival of our species. Many would argue that this behaviour comes naturally to them, that it is due to genetic tendencies. However, the fact of the matter is that this is merely a theory and is not scientific truth. Eight major studies of identical twins in Australia, the U.S., and Scandinavia have all arrived at the same conclusion: gays were not born that way. Many other scientists have also argued and proven that the concept of homosexuality exists without any scientific validity.
Therefore, Islam being one of the largest monotheistic religions of the world, like its predecessors, condemns homosexuality, just like it condemns permissiveness, unchastity and other excesses. Our society perpetuates the rights of homosexuals based on the belief that homosexuality is inherent and is personal freedom. They believe their platform is equal to the rights due to people according to race, color, and gender. But, this type of subjective understanding fails to consider that what may make one happy or fulfilled comes at the cost of the rest of society. Open homosexuality is very influential and pulls in vulnerable people who do not actually have these tendencies. This is demonstrated by the fact that, as more recognition and rights are given, the number of gay people around the world has grown enormously.
At the end of the day, it is one’s own decision to adopt a certain path in life. And, if someone is truly convinced that Islam is the means of establishing a living connection with The Creator, and (s)he has truly embraced the teachings of Islam, then it is upon him/herself to adhere to its teachings with the conviction that these teachings are a means of one’s spiritual and moral advancement.
