Homosexuality

Indulgence of homosexuals in a number of unnatural and risky sexual practices makes them susceptible for a variety of bacterial and viral infections, including the deadly HIV/ AIDS

By Dr Gazala Danish

While sex is a natural biological urge, sexual permissiveness like homosexuality goes against the natural disposition of man. The people of Prophet Lut (Pbuh) were the first in history to indulge in such a practice and on turning a deaf ear towards the message of Allah brought by their Prophet, they experienced the terrible wrath of Allah. Even today, we find people practising homosexuality in spite of it leading to a variety of physical, psychological, social and spiritual ill effects. There is a need to spread medical information explaining the associated health risks and above all, make people realize their natural disposition and persuade them to lead a natural and healthy life.
Homosexuality is the sexual orientation or activity with another person of the same gender. A male homosexual is referred to as a gay and a female homosexual as a lesbian. The term sodomy used for any unnatural sexual behavior is derived from the name of the city Sodom where it was practised for the first time.
History of homosexuality dates back to Qawm Lut, The People of Prophet Lut, who inhabited the Cities of the Plain included the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities were near the trading route used by people. In their wickedness, people of these cities indulged in evil activities like waylaying, robbing and killing the travelers. Another common practice among them was that of men having sex with men. Prophet Lut, the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim/Abraham (Pbuh) was sent to them as a messenger, who admonished them against their immoral and evil practices, asked them to fear Allah and warned them of the Almighty’s punishment. His people paid no heed to his message and instead, threatened to drive him out of the city if he continued his preaching. For years he struggled and persisted in his mission, but in vain. Prophet Lut finally prayed to Allah to save him and his family from the mischief of his people. Allah sent angels to him who informed him to leave the city taking the believers along. The cities were then struck with a mighty blast, a violent earthquake with volcanic explosion. Allah turned the cities upside down and rained down on them fiery brimstones utterly destroying them. Thus Prophet Lut and his family were saved, except for his wife who was a disbeliever. This incident is estimated to have occurred in 1800 B.C. The brimstone plain still exists on the highway between Arabia and Syria, in the neighborhood of Dead Sea. The Dead Sea also known as Lake of Lut, Sea of Lut or Salt Sea has its surface and shores 423 meters below the sea level. Its water is hyper saline with salt content multiple times more than other seas, making it lifeless where no living organism can survive in its salty water, thus the name Dead Sea.
There are many verses in the holy Qur’an admonishing homosexual behavior. A couple of them are mentioned below.
We also (sent) Lut: he said to his people: “Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? “For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds” (Surah 7, Al-Ar’raf: verses 80-81),
Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males “And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!” (Surah 26 Al-Shu’ara: verses 165-166)
Also, there are many serious medical considerations attached to homosexuality. Indulgence of homosexuals in a number of unnatural and risky sexual practices makes them susceptible for a variety of bacterial and viral infections, including the deadly HIV/ AIDS and they are also at risk for anal cancer. Individuals with homosexual lifestyle are vulnerable to a number of psychological problems such as depression, suicide, violence, alcohol and drug abuse. These wide range of physical and psychological health problems definitely affects the individual’s quality of life, leaving a negative impact on all aspects of one’s life, be it family life, social life or professional life.
(The writer is a dentist, with a post graduation degree, and is currently based in Riyadh as a home maker.)