Tolerance May 7, 2009
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Concepts, Media.1 comment so far
Muslims in Britain have zero tolerance of homosexuality, says poll
I don’t know, this just struck me as a weird way of putting it. It seems to mean that 100% of British Muslims have 0% tolerance of homosexuality, which we know is not true of course – given that there are unfortunately some Muslims who try to justify it. I know some people may argue with me that people who justify major sins are not truly Muslims, but I’d point out that (a) one shouldn’t engage in casual takfeer, and (b) I’m sure Gallup weren’t engaging in such a question-begging exercise!
Which leads onto the question about what this “tolerance” is supposed to mean. Personally, I tolerate (unhappily) the presence of homosexuality in our society the same way I tolerate (sadly) the existence of atheism and worship of false gods. People generally have a “live and let live” attitude – though I’m not suggesting that it’s wrong to campaign for what you believe in. The sense in which I am not tolerant towards homosexuality is when I consider its standing morally, i.e. religiously. There are so many nuances to this discussion which just don’t come across in polls, let alone media reports on those polls.
I’m just glad they wrote “homosexuality” in the headline rather than saying “zero tolerance of homosexuals”, because the last thing we need is more suggestion that British Muslims are just waiting for their chance to execute gays! Remember this one? “London Muslims overwhelmingly oppose gays“
Oh and speaking of manipulating polls, do have a look at this great insight from Martin Robbins.
“Is there a place for gay Muslims?” April 15, 2009
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Concepts, Queer Muslims, Shari'ah.25 comments
Dr Sherman Jackson responds:
He concludes:
“Make a place for people who have a problem? Yes. Make a place for people who want to redefine Islam? No.”
With thanks to the brother who uploaded it, and the one who shared it here.
Sh. Yasir Qadhi on “Dealing with Homosexual Urges” April 14, 2009
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Advice, Shari'ah.1 comment so far
Please see this excellent article by Yasir Qadhi over at Muslim Matters:
Dealing With Homosexual Urges: Yasir Qadhi to Muslim Student
I excerpt this core part for you:
In our religion, the discussion of whether these urges are because of ‘Nature’ or ‘nurture’ is really quite irrelevant. And by this I do not mean that we don’t have an answer to this question. As Muslims, we believe that the fitrah that Allah created us upon is that, in terms of sexuality at least, opposites attract. But it is possible that some people have corrupted this fitrah themselves, or it has been corrupted by external methods. And it cannot even be ruled out that for some, the change in this fitrah is beyond their control.
But the point is – and that is why I say the question is irrelevant to the Shar’i ruling - even if somebody has such urges, it does not justify them acting upon it. Rather, what we can say to those who feel attracted to the same gender is that having such urges and conquering them is a part of the test Allah has given them. Each one of us is tried in different ways, and merely wanting to do an act is not justification enough to carry it out. [...]
I say that I’m attracted to women. Does that legitimize going after every woman I’m attracted to? Of course not. We all have our desires and urges and we must all battle them. So if you experience urges that are unnatural, you must battle them, and without doubt Allah will reward you for that.
Another point to realize is that the urge, in and of itself, is not sinful. It is simply a desire, and desires are beyond our control, hence we are not accountable for them. But to allow such feelings to persist without trying to control them is problematic. In any case, the urge in and of itself is not sinful, acting on the urge is what incurs sin. As long as the desire remains in the realm of feeling, you are not accountable on the Day of Judgment, but the second that this desire is manifested in a physical action, you are liable for all that follows.
Lastly, even if you have acted upon this urge – and we seek Allah’s refuge from this – know that this would constitute a sin. Yes, a major sin, and one that most people would be disgusted by, but realize that it is a sin alone and not kufr. Hence, even acting upon it and committing a major sin does not expel you from the fold of Islam. However, to stand up and justify it, or defend it, or write articles claiming that it is Islamic, without a doubt constitutes kufr, and not merely sin.
I would like to thank the Sheikh for discussing this issue openly, at a time when more of the “Queer Muslim” groups are springing up and promoting their unjustifiable views.
IOL dialogue with Yousef Salam July 30, 2008
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Uncategorized.4 comments
IslamOnline, to their enormous credit, have carried a Live Dialogue with our brother Yousef from the StraightWay Foundation. I congratulate him for getting across such important messages, may Allah reward him abundantly.
“Gay” and Muslim: Beyond Condemnation
See also this dialogue with Dr. Mamdouh El-Adl, a psychiatrist.
Qaradawi now – who next? February 16, 2008
Posted by Mujahid Mustaqim in Homosexualists, Queer Muslims, StraightWay.12 comments
We at the StraightWay Foundation have long taken a keen interest in the controversies built around the person of Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, especially as regards his stated opinions about homosexuality in the light of his understanding of the Qur’an and Sunnah – opinions which do not differ from those of the vast majority of Islamic scholars and ordinary Muslims in the West and worldwide, except that in certain respects they are better explained and expressed.
The recent refusal from the UK government to grant him a visa has rightly met with criticism from British Muslims, this article by Abdul-Rehman Malik being a good example. From our perspective, the most worrying thing is where mainstream Muslim views are used as the basis for excluding someone from a country: will they then seek to root out “homophobic imams” and deport them? Find me a non-”homophobic” imam, please, then tell me that Qaradawi’s views are extreme…
You can find numerous articles on this blog discussing his views and statements, including a summary of the Zionist- and homosexualist-led storm surrounding his July 2004 visit to London. This time, however, we decided not to weigh in with any public comments – but would like to extend a word of appreciation to Imaan, a group we have serious disagreements with, for a letter they sent to the Guardian:
We agree with Muslim community leaders concerned at the Home Office decision to ban Yusuf al-Qaradawi (Report, February 8), on the grounds that it won’t “tolerate … those who seek to justify … acts of terrorist violence or express views that could foster inter-community violence”. On the contrary, Qaradawi has condemned the London bombings, the 9/11 attacks and other acts of terrorism, stating these are against Islamic beliefs.
In banning Qaradawi, the Home Office is contributing to a climate of Islamophobia, which will impact on all Muslims, including our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members.
We make clear our disagreements with all faiths that are regressive on homosexuality, and demand that Muslim leaders are treated equally with other faith representatives, who are not generally banned.
If the government is to engage hearts and minds of the Muslim community, it would do well to engage in dialogue with Muslim leaders rather than demonise them or succumb to the calls of politicians whose agenda is motivated by a bias regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
Ubaid-ur Rehman
Secretary, Imaan – the LGBT Muslim’s support group
Even the vile and odious Peter Tatchell stated his disagreement with the banning, even if only to repeat his inaccurate and irrational - and in places downright false and slanderous – criticisms of the Sheikh. And of course most of the commenters after him are just as ready to prove their ignorance!
Daayiee Abdullah: Imam of Perversion January 11, 2008
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Queer Muslims, Responses.48 comments
Yes, I know we’ve been quiet lately. Occasionally people say to me, “Why spend all this time worrying about what homosexuals get up to? Why don’t you concentrate on other issues affecting the Ummah and the world?” Well I’ve been doing some of those other things, alhamdulillah, but that doesn’t make this issue go away: not least while other people are still pushing their sick agendas.
“Imam of Perversion”? Isn’t that coming on a bit strong?
No, not when it comes to Daayiee Abdullah (aka Sid Thompson). He’s taken his filth into a new domain thanks to his devotee Afdhere Jama, with the following video published on YouTube. He speaks about his “first love”, i.e. homosexual relationship.
Look at this man presenting himself as an “imam”, even selecting some Islamic-style garb to give a certain impression, while uttering words like the following:
On that Sunday, Ottis had come by to visit me while my parents and siblings were away at one of my aunts’ house visiting, and of course, being our impetuous selves, we had great sex that day. And on that Tuesday his cousin William contacted me and told me that Ottis had committed suicide.
Well Daayiee, if you’re going to keep insisting that you’re an “imam”, then I will have to tell people that the only thing in which you’re an imam (leader) is twisting and perverting the religion of Allah, and misleading people unfortunate enough to listen to your deception.
I do not say these things lightly. We at this blog don’t go to extremes and make takfir of people, or say that everyone with homosexual feelings is a sinner (as sin depends on actions). We use kind words in advice to those with hearts seeking Allah, and we reason with those who are reasonable, no matter how starkly we differ.
But this corrupter must be exposed for the fraud that he is, lest Muslims start to wonder if there really is such a thing as a “gay imam”. He’s proven through the “Muslim Gay Men” Yahoogroup he moderates (like a fascist) that he’s not the least bit interested in reasoned discussion with Muslims who oppose homosexuality (i.e. those who give even minimal respect to the Qur’an and Sunnah).
While we prepare some more details, please refer to the following articles to get some background on Mr Daayiee:
Moral relativism: its essence in a drop October 15, 2007
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Uncategorized.21 comments
It is a measure of how far we have come as a society in the last ten years that we are now appalled by hatred and invective directed at people on the basis of their sexuality. It is time for the law to recognise this.
The Greater Jihad September 15, 2007
Posted by Rasheed Eldin in Islam, Queer Muslims, Responses.33 comments
It’s Ramadan again. Last year promoters of a film called “In the Name of Allah” invited people to a cocktail iftar at a San Fran club to raise funds. I only hope they didn’t use hadiths about the Prophet (peace be upon him) being more generous in Ramadan to further their filthy agenda.
Now the film has been released, under a different title: “A Jihad for Love”.
SubhanAllah, I don’t know which title is more crass!
I pointed out previously how the pre-release publicity was keen to promote the notion of a Queer Muslim Reformation [my wording], and the stupidity has only been amplified in the latest publicity available on the official website and the director’s blog:
The Season of Change! September 15, 2007
Posted by Mujahid Mustaqim in Advice, Islam.1 comment so far
On behalf of the brothers and sisters at the StraightWay Foundation, we would like to wish all our readers Ramadan Mubarak. Indeed it is the greatest month of struggle for every Muslim, a time when bad habits can be broken and desires overcome, in preparation for the rest of the year and the rest of our lives. We’re praying for you - please remember us too.
