Homosexuality: WHAT IS THE REAL SICKNESS?

In this materialistic age when everything is being sacrificed at the altar of 'freedom', the world from east to west, is witnessing a total collapse of morality and decency. Virtue is portrayed as evil while sins of every type are being glamourized so as to seem acceptable to society. Honesty, fidelity, generosity, piety, chastity, the fear of Allaah, etc. are rarely looked upon as praiseworthy qualities while adultery, gambling, fraud, usury, cheating, abortion, homosexuality, lesbianism, etc. are fast becoming the order of the day. In many of the so-called democracies, there is no longer any stigma in even committing sins openly because of the many corrupt laws that support such sins. Infact today, in some of the world's biggest "democracies" the more a leader publicizes his immoral and adulterous exploits, the more his popularity seems to increase and the greater become his chances of being re-elected by the people.

But the saddest part of this is that while the Muslims were supposed to lead the world out of this turmoil and offer it Islaam as the only solution to its problems, they have begun to embrace the bankrupt ways of those who are themselves groping in the darkness of ignorance. Unfortunately many of the abominable practices found in the west and other kuffaar societies are creeping into Muslim societies. May Allaah protect us!

It is time for the Muslim Ummah to awaken from its slumber and realize that it is the duty of every Muslim to remind the whole of mankind that success lies only in fulfilling the orders of Allaah in the way shown by our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This article, based on a pamphlet that was distributed in Shawwaal 1415 by the General Presidency, Dept. of the Promotion of virtue and the Prevention of vice. Saudi Arabia discusses the issue of homosexuality and lesbianism in Islaam. Although the masculine gender has been used in this article, it applies generally to both males and females alike.

Thoughts and Concerns I would Like to Share with You, My Dear Brother, The Muslim Youth

My Respected Brother-in-Islaam

Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh

In the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and in keeping with the Sunnah of our Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who has said, 'None of you has Imaan (Faith) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself', please allow me to offer to you the following words of advice:

Every true believer living in this world fears the wrath and punishment of Allah Ta'ala. Are you safe, O my brother, from the punishment of Allah Ta'ala? The question each one of us has to ask himself is: Would you like to be amongst those who will be punished tomorrow, on the day in which neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit except to that person who appears before Allah with a pure heart? Would you be happy if your soul were reduced to the lowest position after Allah had created it in the best of forms? Would you allow myself to be disgraced in front of the whole of mankind and the entire creation on the Day of Qiyaamah (Reckoning)? Certainly you would not like any of this to happen to you!

Please let me share with you some brotherly advice regarding just one evil that has become so widespread today - especially amongst the youth. I know that there may be many questions roving in your mind regarding this evil:

* What is this sin?

* Is it so grave that we should discuss it?

* What is the solution to it?

* How can we save ourselves from it?

* What are the harms and consequences of it?

Do not be too hasty for soon you will find answers to all your questions.

My Beloved Brother! You are certainly aware that the sin of homosexuality is haraam. But do you know how serious this crime is and just how despicable it is in the sight of Allah Ta'ala? Just imagine, my brother, that when it is against the very nature of man, nay even of animals, what is the position of the person who indulges in it! Is such a person unaware that Allah Ta'ala -- in all His Grandeur, Might and Power -- is watching him while he indulges in this haraam act? Is he not aware that Allah Ta'ala has the power to send down upon him a swift and severe punishment or even seize him while he is involved in it? What will his position be when he appears before his Rabb (Sustainer) on the Day of Qiyaamah?

" And such is the grasp of your Rabb when He seizes a community while it transgresses! Certainly His grasp is very painful." (Surah Hood, ayah 102) 

Let us now look at a few verses of the Qur'an, Ahaadith, narrations of the Sahaabah (radhiallaahu anhum) and sayings and verdicts of the Ulama regarding the sin of homosexuality or sodomy. Thereafter, let us see what are some of the diseases that spread as a result of it as well as some solutions. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the ability to follow His guidance and the Sunnah of His Beloved Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Beware!

Our beloved Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'Certainly the thing I fear most on my ummah is the (wicked) practice of the people of Loot.' (Tirmizi, Ahmad, Ibn Hajr Al-Haysami, Ad-Duri and Al-Aajuri) (Hadeeth Hasan)

Hadrat Ali bin Abi Taalib (RA) relates, 'Whoever allows himself to be used sexually (by becoming a homosexual or sodomite), Allaah Ta'ala will expel from him the (natural) desire for women.'

Najeeb As-Sirri (AR) says, 'They (i.e. our pious elders) would even dislike looking at handsome young boys'

Once Abul Aswad (AR) brought a letter which he showed to one of his students and said, ' I bear witness that this letter was dictated by Ali bin Abi Taalib (RA) to Abul Aswad: When men (i.e. homosexuals) will sexually satisfy themselves with men and women (i.e. lesbians) with women, then earthquakes will occur, faces will become transformed and stones will rain down from the skies.'

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has also said: "May Allah curse him who does what the people of Loot (alayhis salaam) did." (Ibn Hibbaan)

He (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has also said, 'Lesbianism by women is adultery between them.' (Tabraani)

A Lesson from History

It is a well-known fact that when this wretched disease spread among one nation in the past, Allah Ta'ala caused punishments to rain down from the skies upon them. Allah mentions their story in many places in the Qur'an. At one place, He says, "And (We also sent) Loot (as a Messenger). 'Behold, he said to his people, do you do what is shameful even though you see (that it is wrong)? Would you really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, you are a grossly ignorant people!'

But his people gave no other answer but this: They said, 'Drive out the followers of Loot from your city. These are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!'

But We saved him and His family except his wife: We destined her to be of those who lagged behind.

And We rained down on them a shower (of stones). And evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but failed to heed)." (Surah an-Naml, 54-58) 

At yet another place, Allah Most High says: Do you approach the males of humanity, leaving the wives Allah has created for you? But you are a people who transgress. (Surah ash-Shu'raa: 165 &166) 

From the first aayah, we learn that these people had themselves admitted that the family of Loot (AS) who had Imaan (belief in Allah) was decent, chaste and morally pure. They also acknowledged that the family of Loot (AS) refrained from this filthy practice. They realised this since it is natural for every person to immediately recognise the pure way of life inspired by Allah Ta'ala when they see it and also to make out any type of unnatural and perverted behaviour.

In the Tafseer (commentary) of these verses it is mentioned that the people of Loot (AS) were practicing both homosexuality and lesbianism. When Allah decided to punish them, He commanded Jibraeel (AS) to lift the village of Loot (AS) to the extent that the angels of the first heaven (sky) could actually hear the barking of their dogs. Jibraeel then turned them over and dropped them from this tremendous height. Thereafter, Allah Ta'ala caused scorching hot stones to rain down upon them. This is how this nation ended up being an example for the rest of mankind until the Day of Qiyaamah.

Imaam Al-Aajuri (AR) has said, 'Allah Ta'ala has informed you about the despicable act of homosexuality committed by the people of Loot (AS) and how He punished them by first snatching away their eyesight. Jibraeel (AS) was then instructed to uproot their cities with all the inhabitants until they were high up into the sky and then turn over their cities upon them. Thereafter they were pelted with stones of clay.' Such was their punishment that not a single citizen or traveller could save himself from the stones and from being completely destroyed.

It is said that they were four million in number. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer p.471 vol. 2)

Let us reflect! Why did Allah Ta'ala punish them so severely in such a manner that He had never punished any other nation before? Surely their sin must have been really serious for Allah Ta'ala to have punished and destroyed them in this way.

Disgrace in this World

The acts of homosexuality and lesbianism are certainly a perversion and a serious deviation from the inherent nature of man. These acts of defiance against human nature are also even viler and uglier than adultery. There is consensus among both Muslims and the followers of other religions that lesbianism and homosexuality are evil and filthy practices. This is why it is not surprising to find that Islam so vehemently prohibits it and adopts such a harsh attitude against it.

The punishment awaiting such people in the Hereafter has already been explained, but what about their punishment in this world?

Since such type of behaviour was previously totally unknown to the Arab people, there is no record of any such incident having occurred during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) or that he was faced with a case of this nature. However, it has been confirmed that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'Kill the one who sodomizes and the one to who lets it be done to him.'(Tirmizi)

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) had passed such a ruling and Hadrat Ali (RA) was very severe in his ruling against such a crime. It is established that once Sayyiduna Khaalid bin Waleed (RA) found a man in the frontiers of Arabia marrying another man in the way a woman marries a man, so he wrote about it to Abu Bakr (RA). When Abu Bakr (RA) consulted with the Sahaabah, Ali (RA) who was the severest in his condemnation of it said, 'Only one out of the many nations had indulged in it and you all know how Allah Ta'ala had dealt with them. I feel that he should be destroyed by fire.' So Abu Bakr (RA) wrote back to Sayyiduna Khaalid (RA) who then put the man to death by means of fire.

Ibn Qassaar and Ibn Taymiyyah (AR) have said: All the Sahaabah (radhiallaahu anhum) were unanimous that he should be killed though some of them differed in the manner in which it should be done.

Abu Bakr (RA) said that he should be executed by being thrown from a great height.

Another view of Hadrat Ali (RA) was that a wall should be dropped upon him.

Hadrat Ibn Abbaas, Ali, Jaabir bin Zaid, Abdullah bin Ma`mar, Imaam Zuhri and Imaam Maalik (radhiallaahu anhum) have said that those who commit the evil deed of the people of Loot (AS) should be stoned to death, whether they be married or unmarried. This is also one of the narrations of Imaams Ahmad, Shaafi`ee and Abu Sawr (AR).

Hadrat Ibn Abbaas (RA) was once asked about the punishment for the homosexual. He replied, 'He should be taken to the top of the highest building in the town and thrown headlong from there. Then he should be pelted with stones.'

Jaabir bin Zaid used to say, 'The prohibitive decree of the anus is far more serious than the prohibitive decree of the vagina.' In other words, the prohibition against anal intercourse is far more severe than the prohibition against illegitimate sexual intercourse (with a woman).

Its Dangers in this World

Among the evil consequences of this sin are the many deadly and contagious diseases that result from it. Some of these illnesses are such that medical science -- with all its might, power and advanced technology - has failed to combat or even fully comprehend, let alone cure it. Certainly no one is able to rise above the Will of Allah Ta'ala and escape his wrath!

Some of these fatal diseases are:

* Aids: There is no cure for it. It is contracted and spread through unlawful sexual intercourse and perverted sexual acts like homosexuality.

* Gonorrhea: which causes inflammation of the testicles, blockage of the urethra, inflammation of the joints and sterility.

* Syphillis: This is a type of venereal disease commonly known among the Arabs as 'the English Disease' since its origin lies in European societies where free intermingling of the sexes and immorality is rife. It results in insanity, paralysis, blindness, and other nerve disorders. Also leads to blood vessel damage and death.

* Genital Ulcers: which causes inflammation of the lymphatic glands. It also gives rise to chronic festering of tumours, inflammation of the urethra, severe pain in the joints and swelling of the limbs.

* Hepatitis B: Its symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea and jaundice. It results in chronic hepatitis or liver cancer.

These are only a few of the many deadly diseases caused by perverted sexual behaviour. Could anyone ever desire contracting any of them?

May Allah Ta'ala protect all of us from all types of evil!

The Way to Salvation!

My Beloved Brother! Practicing on complete Islam is certainly the key to our success in this world and the Hereafter. Islam has provided us with the solution to problems in every sphere of our lives. Without doubt, the road to saving ourselves is simple and as clear as daylight -- and it is to keep ourselves far away from this grievous sin.

The following are some means that will help you to do this:

Do towbah (i.e. repent sincerely) to Allah and turn to Him.

Stay away from the company of evil people or friends who glamorize and glorify those deeds and things that are sinful and make them appeal to you. The company that the youth keep plays the greatest role in either reforming or corrupting them. Therefore, choose for yourself the company of righteous people who will be of help and benefit to you in the matters of your Deen (Religion) and your dunya (worldly affairs)

Turn yourself and your gaze away from all those things that arouse the passions, like looking at and staying in the company of beardless, young lads or even pictures of them of which films, magazines, etc are brimming.

Make every effort to get married in order to remain pure and chaste and respond to the call of our beloved Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who has said, 'O Assembly of Youth! Those of you who have the means to get married, should do so. And whoever is unable to do so, must keep fast. For this is certainly a protection for him.' (Bukhaari, Muslim) Fast in abundance in order to suppress the carnal desires/passions. Our Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said,' Certainly shaitaan flows in (the body of) man like the flowing of blood. So, subdue him by keeping fast.' (Sahih Bukhaari: vol.1 p.273 Book of Fasting)

Spend your spare time in those activities that will benefit you because the mind of an idle person becomes the target of sinful thoughts whispered by shaitaan and your nafs (the self which commands a person to do evil).

And Finally My Dear Brother...My Youth!

What is the person who indulges in this evil, waiting for? Is he waiting for the moment when death will suddenly overtake him while he is busy committing this sin? Has he given any thought to the condition of his father who had worked so hard to earn a living in order to bring him up and to see to his needs? How proud his father used to be of him, when he was a little boy, whenever he attended any gatherings! Has he thought about the condition of his mother who spent long, restless nights awake for the sake of his comfort? Is he now going to repay them with shame and disgrace them in front of everyone?

Or, is he waiting for death to overtake him while he is in the act of this despicable sin? Death certainly does not fix a time with us nor does it postpone its arrival for anyone, whether young or old!

My dear brother, this precious life is a special gift from our Beloved Creator, Allah to us so that we may perform virtuous deeds and gain His pleasure. In fact, the principal motive behind everything that we do should be the pleasure of Allah -- and this is the real meaning of success. Allah tells us: But the pleasure of Allah is the highest achievement: This is the greatest success. (Surah at-Tawbah: 72) 

Our life in this world is also a test from Allah. He has placed us in this world and created certain desires within us. But He has not made this world the place for the fulfillment of our desires. Here, we must fill our hearts with the fear of Allah and suppress our own desires and give priority to the wishes and orders of Allah over our own desires. In return for this, our Allah has promised to reward us with Jannah, the everlasting place of indescribable beauty and happiness that He has reserved for us in the Aakhirah.

And for them who had feared standing before their Rabb (Sustainer) (on the Day of Qiyaamah) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, Certainly Jannah will be their abode. (Surah an- Naazi'aat: 40,41) 

And since Jannah has been created as the actual place for the satisfaction of all our desires, everything there will be according to our wishes. Allah promises: Therein shall you have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall you have all that you ask for! A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful! (Surah Fussilat: 31,32) 

In conclusion, my dear brother, I hope I have been able to illustrate clearly, yet briefly, the Islaamic view regarding this sin and some of its harms so that it may serve as an eye -opener for those not involved in it and a means of earnestly repenting to Allaah Ta'ala for those who have fallen into the trap of shaitaan.

It is now your duty, my beloved brother, to inform each and every youth of the sinfulness of this vice and its dangers and earn abundant reward from Allah Ta'ala.

I ask Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Powerful to grant all of us the ability to turn to Him in repentance, and to make what I have written and you have read, a witness in our favour and not against us.

For Allaah alone grants the Muslims the ability to do what is beneficial for them.

Homosexuality and lesbianism

Homosexuality and lesbianism have been dubbed “alternative life-styles,” “personal preference,” “a natural variation,” etc. in the West today. Where homosexuality was considered an illness by the Association of Psychiatrists, it is now removed from the list and replaced by homophobia (the dislike of homosexuals and homosexuality). Consequently, Islam and Muslims are considered intolerant and biased due to their continued opposition. Arguments in favor of tolerance to homosexuals are based on the assumption that homosexual behavior is biologically based and not merely learned from society. Early opposition to homosexuality was based on the argument that such behavior was unnatural. Sodomy cannot produce children which is one of the main natural consequences of sexual relations. “Mother Nature” did not make us that way, it was argued. To counter such arguments homosexual researchers scoured the earth until they found supposed homosexual behavior among the animal kingdom. They found that the males of some species of exotic fishes off the coast of Japan imitated the behavior of females of the species in order to prevent other males from impregnating their mates, and some rare butterflies from islands of the coast of Africa also had males exhibiting female behavior during mating season, etc. However, if the animal kingdom is to be used to justify human behavior, there also exists a spider in South America, whose female is much larger than the male. When mating is complete, the female eats her mate. During the 80’s it was claimed that a gland in the base of the brain which is small in women and large in men was found to be small among homosexuals. However, this evidence, while seeming incontrovertible to the layman, was immediately refuted by scientists. The data was taken from cross-sections of the brains of dead adult humans whose sexual preference was identified prior to death. Consequently, the reduced size among homosexuals could have been a result of the practice and not its cause. That is, they could have been born with normal sized glands which then became small due to their deviant lifestyle. Recently genetics has become the most commonly used foundation for the pro-gay argument. In 1993 Dr. Dean Hamer, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, claimed to have discovered “the first concrete evidence that ‘gay genes’ really do exist.” Homosexual orientation was supposedly transmitted to males on the X chromosome from the mother. Hamer’s findings, published in the prestigious journal Science, transformed his colorless career as a government scientist into a dynamic media personality and penned his memoirs. He gave expert testimony to the Colorado Supreme Court that formed the basis of the victorious decision striking down anti-gay Proposition 2. However, a replication of his study at the University of Western Ontario failed to find any linkage whatsoever between the X chromosome and sexual orientation. It was also found that Hamer’s study lacked a control group; a fundamental principle of scientific research. Furthermore, in June 1994, the Chicago Tribune reported that a junior researcher in Hamer’s laboratory who assisted in the gene mapping in the homosexuality study, alleged that he selectively reported his data. She was then summarily dismissed from her post-doctoral fellowship in Hamer’s lab. But a National Institutes of Health investigation substantiated her claims and gave her another position in a different lab. Though Dr. Hamer was coy about his own sexuality in his memoirs, he later admitted in his lectures that the was gay. It should be noted that Islam, in its final form, did not introduce anti-gay legislature to the world. The texts of the Torah are replete with clear condemnation of such practices.

The consequence of AIDS is enough to prove that homosexuality is evil and dangerous to society. The early spread of AIDS was concentrated among the homosexual community. It later spread to the heterosexual community through blood transfusions and intravenous drug usage and so-called bisexuals. And continues on a rampage among promiscuous heterosexuals.

Islam considers homosexuality to be the result of a choice. It is inconceivable that God made people homosexuals then declared it a crime and prescribed punishments for it in both this life and the next. To accept such a proposition is to accept that God is unjust. Inclinations can exist within humans for a variety of natural and unnatural acts, from fornication to rape and from necrophilia to bestiality. These inclinations may come from jinn-suggestions, media influence, or even from human whisperings or direct contact. Human beings are not like robots who only do what they are programmed to do. Humans choose and God holds them responsible for their choices. Were homosexuality a product of genetic destiny, it would be unfair for God to criminalize it and punish those who practice it. Currently, some scientists are even claiming that murder is of genetic origin. To accept that would mean to excuse murderers and tolerate murder.

Islaam instructs parents to separate their children in their beds by the age of ten in order to avoid sexual experiences which may result from childhood experimentation. Such experiences may be reinforced by contacts in schools and through abuse from adults. Also the distinctions between male and female are strongly made in Islamic teachings. The Prophet cursed men who imitated women and women who imitated men. The Western fashion industry is controlled by homosexuals who attempt to blur the distinction between males and females in order to make their behavior more acceptable. Consequently, men’s fashion has become more feminine in style and color and women are now wearing three-piece suits, ties and hats and traditionally men’s shoes. These distinctions may be relative and vary from society to society. For example, in Scotland men traditionally wear little knee-length dresses called “kilts”. In Scotland it would not be considered imitation of females, but in a society where only women wear such dress it would be considered imitation.

GAYS AND LESBIANS 

A time of Great calamity is dawning upon us. This time it is not from the Serbs, Jews, Fascist Hindus, US, UK, or Other Enemy of Islaam but from our own ranks. Like the Jews of Turkey who converted to Islaam during the latter part of the Ottoman rule, to gain positions of power and destroy Islaam from within, a certain group of people have joined ranks to discredit Islaam. This group of Munafiqeens are openly saying that homosexuality is not Haraam. They launch their campaign in Los Angeles in the United States during a Gay Festival. They are also launching a video and will start a publicity campaign shortly.

Prof. Zaghloul al-Naggar, professor of geology and Director of the London-based Markfield Institute of Higher Education, has rightly told IslamOnline that many Westerners - some of them homosexual - convert to Islaam in order to appeal to Islamic communities and spread sinful behavior among Muslims, thus shaking their belief. Naggar cited the example of Richard S. Burton, a British writer who wrote in his book "A Journey to Mecca" how he publicly converted to Islaam for ulterior motives rather than out of real faith. Naggar also referred to Turkish Jews who converted to Islaam to reach power in Turkey during the times of Muslim Caliphs.

This is  Refutation of those who excuse homosexuals on the grounds that this is the way they were created NO ONE in this world is BORN a Homosexual understand what Allaah has said about homosexuality....Allaah does not punish by the way you are created, after all, Allaah created you, but Allaah punishes His slaves by the choices that we make, not the way we are created....  EVERY HUMAN is created recognizing Allaah as their Lord but if they CHOOSE to deny this; then they become a kaafir... and for this covering of the truth, they are punished....

The act of two men having sex is NOT considered Fornication, Neither is of two women having sex is considered Fornication. By definition, fornication is sex between a man and a woman who are Virgins.... and this is not punishable by death, but by lashings...The penis must enter the Vagina, and When Two Men are together this is called SODOMY... and sex that occurs between a man and a woman who are currently married or who have ever been married is Zinaa and this is punishable by death. There are differences here....and by the way, 2 women having sex is NOT punishable by death... at any rate, Allaah does NOT create any human being homosexual, they simply choose this, like a person Chooses not to be guided.... or they choose to do Halaal. etc... 

We should "judge" according to Shariah, not what we feel, or think... because Allaah has brought down Islaamic Law and this is the only law that is recognized. not the law of Christians or Jews...

Allaah says in Qur'ân in Surah At-Tahrim to Lots wife who was  sympathetic to homosexuals... (interpretation of the meaning) "Allaah has set an example to the unbelievers in the wife of Nuh (Noah) and the wife of Lut (Lot). They were married to two of Our righteous servants, but they betrayed them. In no way could their husbands protect them from Allah. Both of them were told: "Enter the fire, along with those who enter." [Surah At-Tahrim Ayat 10] 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) "Another example is the people of Lut (Lot) who disbelieved Our warning. We let loose on them a stone- charged tornado which spared none except Lut's household, whom We saved by early dawn" [Qur'ân in Surah Al-Qamar 54:33.34]

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning) "We helped him against those people who had denied Our revelations; surely they were an evil people, so We  drowned them all in the Great Flood. [ Qur'ân in Surah Al-Anbiya 21:77]

With all due respect I again say People are not "born" homosexual or bisexual.... This is a choice that a human makes for themselves... Allaah punishes those for their choices in this life...Like those who choose to steal, choose to lie, choose to commit zinaa, etc.... but Allaah does not punish for the way that He created us, born female, male, spanish, chinese, etc.... these are not choices, but HOW we live is a choice in every sense of the word... This idea that people are "born" homosexual is from the Kufaar and is not based on
Islamic Law, after all homosexuality is a CRIME, and as such is punishable by death... and I would like to add that Allaah forgives His slaves if they repent sincerely and this is of course up to Allaah to judge, but they must stay away from the sin that they are committing. When We do not agree with their claim that their sexual orientation is natural; rather it is a distortion of nature. Allaah counted their deed as wrongdoing and immoral, and He sent upon the people of Lut a punishment the like of which no other nation had seen. He also tells us that this punishment is not ever far from the wrongdoers. Their claim that their orientation is natural serves only to propagate and spread immorality, and it is just an excuse for them. Many of them change their appearance so as to look odd, so how can we say that this is how they were created? Allaah does not create anyone just to punish or torture them. He created mankind to worship Him, but He may try His slaves with hardship as a test of their faith, to expiate for their sins and to raise their status. Allaah is too Just to force a person to commit sin and then punish him. On the contrary, people commit sins by their own free choice – like these Perverted People – and it is for this that they deserve to be punished. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And your Lord treats no one with injustice" [Qur'ân in Surah al-Kahf 18:49]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): "Nay, Allaah never commands Fahshaa' (evil deeds, unlawful sexual intercourse). Do you say of Allaah what you know not?" 
[Qur'ân in Surah Al-Anbiya al-A'raaf 7:28]

And as for gays being born that way, Allaah created Adam and Eve not adam and steve, and from all three semitic religions, christianity, judaism, an Islaam, we see that homosexuality only brought destruction onto itself....in other words, they were destroyed by Allaah....thus there is no "gay history", their only history is destruction, and there is no "gay pride", since they were humiliated through the wrath of Allah.

Islaam is not alone in this prohibition, which also holds for Catholics, Mormons and several Protestant denominations. But while Western societies offer a range of spiritual alternatives for Gay Christians, Jews and others who seek to maintain some form of religious faith, Islaam has traditionally closed the door to even the notion of Homosexuality.

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on masturbation and how to cure the problem

Masturbation (for both men and women) is haraam (forbidden) in Islam based on the following evidence:First from the QUR'ÂN:Imam Shafi’i stated that masturbation is forbidden based on the following verses from the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning)"And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, - for them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors." 23.5-7 Here the verses are clear in forbidding all illegal sexual acts (including masturbation) except for the wives or that their right hand possess. And whoever seeks beyond that is the transgressor."And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His bounty." 24.33. This verse also clearly orders whoever does not have the financial means to marry to keep himself chaste and be patient in facing temptations (including masturbation) until Allah enriches them of His bounty.Secondly, from the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him):Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood said, "We were with the Prophet while we were young and had no wealth whatsoever. So Allaah’s Messenger said, "O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty (i.e. his private parts from committing illegal sexual intercourse etc.), and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power." Bukhari:5066. 

The hadeeth orders men who are not able to marry to fast despite the hardship encountered in doing so, and not to masturbate despite the ease with which it can be done. There are additional evidences that can be cited to support this ruling on masturbation, but due to the limited space we will not go through them here.

Allaah knows what is best and most correct.As for curing the habit of masturbation, we recommend the following suggestions:1) The motive to seek a cure for this problem should be solely following Allaah’s orders and fearing His punishment.2) A permanent and quick cure from this problem lies in marriage as soon as the person is able, as shown in the Prophet’s hadeeth.3) Keeping oneself busy with what is good for this world and the hereafter is essential in breaking this habit before it becomes second nature after which it is very difficult to rid oneself of it.4) Lowering the gaze (from looking at forbidden things such as pictures, movies etc.) will help suppress the desire before it leads one to commit the haraam (forbidden). Allaah orders men and women to lower their gaze as shown in the following two verses and in the Prophet’s hadeeth (interpretations of the meanings): "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is all-aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things) and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) ..... " 24.30-31Allaah’s messenger said: "Do not follow a casual (unintentional) look (at forbidden things) with another look." Al-Tirmidhi 2777. This is a general instruction by the Prophet to abstain from all that may sexually excite a person because it might lead him/her to commit the haraam (forbidden).5) Using one’s available leisure time in worshipping Allaah and increasing religious knowledge.6) Being cautious not to develop any of the medical symptoms that may result from masturbation such as weak eyesight, weak nervous system, and/or back pain. More importantly, feeling of guilt and anxiety that can be complicated by missing obligatory prayers because of the need to shower (ghusl) after every incidence of masturbation.7) Avoiding the illusion that some youth have that masturbation is permissible because it prevents them from committing illegal sexual acts such as fornication or even homosexuality.8) Strengthening one’s willpower and avoiding spending time alone as recommended by the Prophet when he said "Do not spend the night alone" Ahmad 6919.9) Following the Prophet’s aforementioned hadeeth and fast when possible, because fasting will temper one’s sexual desire and keep it under control. However, one should not overreact and swear by Allaah not to return to the act because if one does not honor one’s promise, one would be facing the consequences of not living up to one’s oath to Allaah. Also, note that medication to diminish one’s sexual desire is strictly prohibited because it might permanently affect one’s sexual ability.10) Trying to follow the Prophet’s recommendation concerning the etiquette of getting ready for bed, such as reading well-known supplications, sleeping on the right side, and avoiding sleeping on the belly (the Prophet forbade sleeping on the belly).

11) Striving hard to be patient and chaste, because persistence will eventually, Allaah willing, lead to attaining those qualities as second nature, as the Prophet explains in the following hadeeth: "Whoever seeks chastity Allaah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks help from none but Allaah, He will help him, and whoever is patient He will make it easy for him, and no one has ever been given anything better than patience." Bukhari:1469.

12) Repenting, asking forgiveness from Allaah, doing good deeds, and not losing hope and feeling despair are all prerequisites to curing this problem. Note that losing hope is one of the major sins punishable by Allaah.13) Finally, Allaah is the Most Merciful and He always responds to whoever calls on Him. So, asking for Allah’s forgiveness will be accepted, by His will.

Wallahu a’lam. And Allah knows what is best and most correct.