If you’re so ‘passionate about Islam’…

…why not put that consideration above sexuality? That’s what I wrote about years ago with Muslim Before Anything Else, and I still feel that article is a good starting point for Muslims considering this issue. Instead we see in the media what Rasheed politely termed “typical fluff”, and here I will make a few remarks about another in the ‘series’:

Homosexual and ‘passionate about Islam’ (MSNBC)

It’s mainly about Imaan and their appearance at Europride, starring their secretary, Ubaid.

The article by Jennifer Carlile gives the Fahisha people yet another platform to go on about how “We exist! Honest!” and misrepresent the attitudes and opinions of mainstream Muslims and their scholars.

It confuses being with doing, and sinfulness with heresy. The ignorance of the interviewee isn’t balanced by the insight of the writer, let alone by comments from anyone with an articulate, alternative point of view (like you might find, well, here.)

Imaan’s members feel like they are targets of both a wider society that discriminates against Muslims, and a Muslim community that sees homosexuality as a Western disease.

Let’s be clear. Homosexuality, if it is to be called a disease, is not a “Western” disease. Who says it is? It was invented by the people to whom the Prophet Lut was sent, i.e. of the town called Sodom [Q 7:80]. We do not call it evil because it is “Western”, but because Allah has forbidden it – and as for His wisdom in that, it is quite obvious.

But let’s also be clear that the West has been the breeding ground for much promiscuity, and we believe that this impacts negatively on society. The undeniable influence of Western (especially American) culture on other societies has not just meant they have unhealthy fast food on their disposable plates: the impact goes much deeper.

Let’s be clear on one more thing: while homosexuality is not a “Western disease”, it is certainly a Western concept, and a very modern one at that. It has not been long since people started talking about “orientations” as an aspect of identity, and just because almost everyone talks that way now, doesn’t make it correct, let alone the sole way of interpreting the data (i.e. to describe the fact that some people are attracted to members of the same sex).

“Now we’re dealing with Islamaphobia within the gay community, and Muslims who say gays can’t be Muslims,” Ubaid said.

Anyone can be a Muslim. Even an idol-worshipper can become so, but will negate his Islam as soon as he bows his head in submission to something created. What is required is sincerity of belief, and commitment to obey God. If someone becomes Muslim then performs homosexual acts, he or she is a major sinner, but that does not negate their being Muslims. However, some people do indeed exit Islam as a result of their heretical beliefs.

Despite discrimination, Ubaid has found away to forge his own path and has reconciled his attraction to men with his love of Islam. 

What kind of reconciliation? None at all. Just a pick-and-mix. Ubaid, it is not required of you to “love Islam” – I don’t find that kind of wording in the Qur’an or Sunnah. It is required of us to love Allah and His Messenger, and our love of Allah must be manifested in submitting to Him and obeying His Messenger [Q 3:31-32].

Ubaid, who has always prayed regularly at the mosque, fasts for Ramadan, and does not drink alcohol, began dating men.

Which is worse: drinking alcohol, or going on dates (and whatever else) with other men?

[Ubaid said:] “If the Quran teaches you that everything God created is beautiful, then why would he create a type of person who’s always oppressed?”

For God’s sake man, read the whole Qur’an, not just one verse that you massacre for the sake of your desires. That is a disgrace, and you should feel ashamed before Allah for just that, if not for all the rest of what you are flaunting in disobedience of Him.