Homosexuality in Islam: Is There A Place For Gay Muslims? 

In addition to rejecting and banning any commenters that use profanity, homophobic or violent language I will also now be rejecting comments that are not specifically related to the topic. There are over 1,000 comments to this video. What you have to say has probably already been stated numerous times. Read the comments. If you have NOTHING NEW TO ADD then don't post. And if you are here to debate homosexuality DON'T POST. Watch the video. STAY ON TOPIC.

"I have not been commanded by God to cut open people's chests to see what is inside their hearts." -Muhammad pbuh

"An individual who engages in homosexual behaviour is not disqualified from being a muslim". That's right. A person engaging in that is not a disbeliever as long as he admits that he is doing a mistake, as homosexuality is undisputably HARAM in Islam. But when one does it openly, viewing it as permissable, in spite of the Quran and Sunnah both prohibiting it he has nullified his Islam.

only ALLAH can judge his creature! im so sad that other muslims kill or prison someone just because she/he is gay! I believe Islam is the safe place to hide, under ALLAH's Protection I Accept myself as a muslim and gay.

Its a tough position no doubt. and people who have this inclination are no doubt worthy of emphathy as it is a struggle. The question starts with the framework you are operating under as an individual. If muslim, the framework is simple. This life is short and meant to be a test. The real life is yet to come. Nobody in heaven is going to think for a second of the challenges they faced on earth. However, if you believe this world is all there is, then yes, holding back on your inherit desires seems cruel and unusual. But i have freinds that are in their 40s who cant get married for various reasons. Does that mean fornication should be allowed? We would say no. Does that mean if they become weak and make a mistake, they are no longer human, no of course not. We are not our desires. Im married, i desire other women ALOT. But i dont becuase we are not our desires. We are what we believe and sometimes belief and action contradict one another. Thats the nature of being human and this world. Most people, including me at times are way to insensitive towards these people. If our kids happen to be gay, our tune would change dramatically. We need to show more compassion.

Whatever he just said its true in Christian churches too... We embrace people with their wicked tendencies but not their actions and if they are true in seeking and following the true GOD then their actions need to be changed and their wicked ways put aside...

The speaker made a specific description as speaking from a Suni perspective. Is there a difference from Shia & Suni on "actions as opposed to tendencies" (as in alcoholism, etc) ? For instance in context of "excommunication" as the speaker put it?

MashAllah very well explained! Well done sir,as I even being Muslim,had confusions regarding this topic. The questions of non-muslim are sort of an education for us as we are laerning our DEEN more accurately coz we hav to reply them with clarity.Keep up the good work of asking questions to the Muslims. Allah has HIS own ways of a change in communities,subhanAllah.PEACE to ALL :))

People are more than "tendencies" or "actions"...... It's impossible for someone who is not homosexual to understand it because it's not their experience...He's not qualified to be the spokesperson for homosexuals...they are not saying "you must accept homosexual acts"...they say .." Can you please try to understand that this is my path and I'm trying my best to live this life the best I can from start to finish (just like you )and be what I feel at the deepest level I am without fearing those who tease and persecute me, injure and shame me, make me want to kill myself, or worse, throw me from the roofs of buildings to my death....and that when I fall in LOVE it's not with who the WORLD thinks I should fall in LOVE with....it's just what has always felt right, natural and honest to me BEFORE I ever heard it was "wrong". That I have to trust the Creator's creation of me for ONLY He knows the answers WHY".....

What happened to the people of Lut? Allah is the most wise and he knows what's best for us as he is our creator.

thanks for uploading this clip. i've always felt this way about the topic and the imam here says the exact same thing!

this might be off topic but anybody know who's the person next to Dr Sherman at beginning?0:14 Is he speaker too? I think I watched his video somewhere...

Lots of gays in islam see Arabia, Afghanistan.

What are homosexual Muslim men and women supposed to do to repress their feelings? Obviously they are a homosexual and have the rest of their lives to live. They are forced to remain celibate or marry a woman (which doesn't seem to make sense seeing as though they are homosexual). They can marry and have children and Grandchildren if they wish, but obviously that means that they not only marry someone they are not attracted to and presumably don't love but also somebody else's son or daughter will be entering into a marriage with someone who is homosexual. Surely, this is not fair on them either. I have three questions. 1) How are Muslim men and women supposed to suppress their homosexual feelings? 2) Who can they talk to about this? 3) Why are some people born with homosexual inclinations but then told by religious institutions that their feelings are sinful when these individuals didn't ask to be homosexual in the first place?

A very clear explanation. We need more answers to modern questions with this level of detail and understanding!

Beautifully put.

No it's not like drinking wine do you ever read in Quran about people have been punished by Allah over drinking Don't mix things It's a huge sine and we all know that

Sunni Islam? There's only Islam.

thank you Dr. I found that very helpfull.

"and fabulous" haha I loved that !! Courage in your life my dear friend, from a muslim sister.

Very good video! I am gay, but I also follow some Islamic beliefs

This is what keeps Islam stuck in the 1st century.

@Kevstar19 Any solid written evidence? I would love to see them...

@TheSeyeda then why are some folk born gay/ bi-sexual/transgendered??

Excellent! and well said

@saifmatic Please do not use CAPS. That is considered yelling. Just type the way you see everyone else typing please.

@Shnakalaka I am not the speaker in the video. I simply recorded and uploaded Dr. Jackson's response. It would be best for you to contact him. Do a search online for where he is currently teaching and email him your question. Thank you.

So only in the moment he's not a believer. As soon as he does the deed and stops, he may become a believer again. Is that correct?

Thank you Walkietalkie74!

@SLAM234 Where was this enlightened comment during the era of Jim Crow?

where in the quran does it say that having homosexual sex is punishable by stonin (quran not hadith)

Good Job & Great Reply! Debz Jessi

“A person is not to be blamed for his nature. Rather, he is to be blamed if he acts according to his nature.”

ICNYU knows the videos are up and have in fact directed others to check them out. The videos are also on facebook.

@cobraraoof and what are the consequences of all of the sins you commit on a daily basis???

@jungleboiy Is it homosexuality itself or homosexual acts. It depends on the interpretation.

@Bayngan what is shirk ?

A very well thought out answer.

I didn't understand his argument. He didn't reference his source of hadith. Yes, there was a time when wine was acceptable up till the order came from Allah swt to quit the use of wine as it's harmful. Is there any reference where it can be proven his argument?

@RedSeaCoral I believe in the free and open exchange of opinions and ideas even those that I disagree with as long as they are respectful. Your comments are a prime example. I disagree yet aired them. Now feel free to respond directly to Dr. Jackson.

Assalaamualaikum I have a question: what if 2 men love each other and kiss and cuddle... But no sex?

Wow the camera has so nice focus.

This is awesome.

This was an amazing answer.

@Shnakalaka the law itself was made in some way that it really difficult to apply it if you don't confess and even when you confess it still difficult because you must be sure. There was hadith that even say that people came to the prophet to confess and he first didn't listen, and when the guy confess 4 time, the prophet ask him if he wasn't mad, he say no, and if he was married, and he said yes and then they stoned him. the method is quite different form what we see today in IC

@etanielyehuda there is a difference between homosexual tendencies and homosexual "acts" which represent adultery what is so hard about that ?

@brotherdash I am a new Muslim, and you said that Islam does not "excommunicate" adulterers, but why then does Sharia punishment for adultery mean death? Honest question, I would appreciate an answer. Thanks so much.

ALL the Islamic scholars only talked about Homosexual men but no one talked about Mukhannath min Kalqin TELL ME THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL MAN and Mukhannath min Kalqin. what should a muslim Mukhannath min Kalqin do to fulfil the sex desire????

is he muslim sunni or shia ?

***Note*** Do not comment unless you actually WATCH the video. Also there are almost 1,000 comments now. Whatever you are going to say has probably already been said and posted. Keep that in mind before you post.

Very well said.

For one, you cannot simply "insert homosexual here" into a hadith. For another, the hadith clearly states "at the moment." What comes after the moment?

@mossbergvsworld Thanks for sharing. Feel better?

I'm Muslim as well and when I was younger than I am now, when I was in high school and maybe even a few years after that, I held prejudiced views against homosexuals as my peers who grew up with me did. But after this immature phase, I was more accepting of it. I even voted against California's Prop 8 in 2008, which defined marriage as that solely between a man and a woman. Why? Aside from maturing in age, I felt, that there are homosexuals who are more Islamic/righteous than non-homosexuals.

@JiminyKracker well there aren't , why am i answering you clearly cause iam living in the middle east ksa

Will Allah forgive us for what we have done?

@brotherdash one should not examine what is being worn but what is being said.

@nofreedom4racists...as I stated in the past. I only filter vile language filled posts, threats of violence, ad hominem attacks etc. I do not filter for points of view articulated respectfully. If however you disagree and wish to contribute your comments in those environments you will find ample other places on RU-vid to do so. I doubt you will find those places as much to your liking as you apparently find this one.

The only comments allowed referring to killing is when someone is quoting a Muslim scholar, companion of the Prophet or purported hadith. In these cases this is merely someone posting what the religion may or may not say. Just as the Bible has verses advocating what we may or may not agree with. But if you see a post that got through advocating murder from someone's own opinion then point it out so that I may remove it. (and you can leave off the "shame on you" stuff...it's silly)

Why is this such a sensitive subject? Is there not more important things to focus on?

Actaully epigenetics is a term that relates not just to alterations made to DNA or gene expression in-vitro, but also to changes to genes in the environment. For example two identical twins with the same gene known to express as asthma (say DPP10) but with one living in a city and the other in the countryside would more likely result in the city dweller developing asthma. That might even occur when both are in their 40's or 50's. They might even pass it on to children.

To be fair its a relevant point... at the very least an option in the control panel or a banned word list (like a router) that you can add to block certain comments. I'd be pretty much certain there are third party applications that will do that for you-tube comments. It does use Googles API... if not its a great idea.

I appreciate Br. Jacksons articulate approach and indeed his understanding of Islams Compassion in terms of peoples faults or inclinations. Well put.

THIS IS SO TRUE, wow ! perfectly worded.

how does brother Sherman explain surah 5 verse90 concerning wine as a abomination but the tradition say the prophet says do not curse him for he loves Allah and his messenger?

A very good point!

@Dengkaidou do you really think so ?

@RedSeaCoral -I'm not the speaker in the video bro. Direct your commentary to him.

I know plenty of gay muslims, how old is this video?

I agree with that, you can't help the way you feel, just like we can't help but feel angry at things that make us angry, it's whether we act on certain urges, and how.

@saifmatic , Salaam, I'm not sure if you're aware of the credentials of Dr. Jackson. He is a world renowned , much sough after, muslim scholar, whose answer was thoughtful, practical and enlightening. If you were able to find any flaw in his logic or in the hadith that he used to illustrate the rationale behind which he issued his statement, then I would say you might want to answer the question yourself.

I think this guy makes the most sense so far, i am Muslim n gay n i totally understood what he means. Thank you so much Dr Sherman.

@brotherdash im directing it to both of you, he made the remarks u aired them.

@NinjaRC this guy is brave enough to open his mind and shift viewpoint according to logic. psychological strength is often mistaken for softness.

Do you think that the Gay community think about the consequences and impact in society by starting this same sex marriage revolution. After same sex marriage the door is wide open to a whole new view of marriage and the variations and possibilities are unlimited (no moral absolutes). Since this issue of marriage is now being "redefined" by our legal system, here I present the endless possibilities if the definition of marriage is "redefined" by considering gender/sex as irrelevant to marriage. Example; father and son, mother and daughter, mother and son, sister and sister both gay (or bi-sexual) , heterosexual sister and brother , bi-sexual marriage between ANY 2 family members .................. ENDLESS COMBINATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES. As long as marriage is between 2 CONSENTING ADULTS COMING INTO AN AGREEMENT marriage should be fine and validated. Since gender/sex won't be an issue if the law is passed, I don't include it here because this issue on the definition of marriage is now being "redefined" by our legal system. I wonder if a day would come when the quantitative element in marriage (marriage been between 2 consenting adults) would have to be "redefined" by our legal system as well. If it ever happens, marriage between 2 consenting adults would no longer hold true or be the norm and the number of individuals within that marriage becomes irrelevant!. If the elements of marriage are not absolutes and can be easily "redefined" to suit a group of citizen's needs and rights, we might as well take marriage out of the text books since marriage would be open to interpretation and a subjective issue. Does the Gay community (minority) think about the American family and the well being of the American society as a whole (majority+minority=society as a whole) or about their own personal (individual) fulfillment, interests, rights and goals?. Clarification: The issue and concerns presented here are my own opinion on this issue by stating the possible outcomes resulting from redefining marriage, these possible outcomes may or may not happen and yet they should not be counted out or ignored!. I don't expect nor wish for the reader to agree with my personal opinion and views. I never brought the RELIGIOUS element or the LEGAL aspect of marriage on this post. I am only concerned with the impact (social element) on our American society and possible outcomes resulting from a change of the definition of marriage by redefining it. If the reader wants to reply to this post, please by all means do so, but it must be based on the SOCIAL aspect and please don't play the religious (the bible, God, sin, judgment, ect) card , the constitutional rights card or the legal/law card. The amount of thumbs up/down on this post will give a clear and decisive answer to those concerns relating this issue, that is if it's not deleted by our "y" buddy. To my knowledge there is no foul language on my post, so if my post get deleted it would be for other unknown reasons!.

1. Did you get Dr Jackson's or IC-NYU's permission before putting this up? 2. There is a concept called due process of law. Nothing is as clear cut as the comment above making it out to be.

why is it a sin? who say?

@Velox415 Will if some one is talking, don't mean it's right..

A response to Dr. Jackson: I have watched your video...and i understood your response and your support of the hadith..But how about taking a look at this!! I accept your opinion! But I want u to hear me out on this and think about it!!..let me start with what you said 1.)Actions only is what we take people for and not for tendencies...what about the hadith stating "enama al aamalo belneyat" translated = "Actions are but by intentions and every man shall have only that which he intended"

Sexual orientation is not about actions, behaviour, or tendency. What he's saying is like, you are born with blue eyes so you are sinful from the moment you are born.

tell me one hadith which says that u cant be a muslim if ur gay.

@jim Tolkin excellent answer! or comment!

te gusta la censura?

Now what Islam is about, Love everyone as long as they are believers. Baraka Allah Fik my brother, very good explanation..

@Kevstar19 proof please...

@Shnakalaka also any crime you get punished for in this life for you won't be punished for it in the after life so it might even be a mercy in its self! you can still ask Dr.Jackson am sure he can give much better answers.

Man this guy explains it so well. I've never thought of it like that but this video has definately been an eye opener Ive read some of the comments and some people are saying because there gay they feel like they're outcasts. This is absolutely true, but I reckon it would help so much if they grew there beards because nearly everyone judges people by there first look and having a beard would make everyone see that they are Muslims too. Ive always wonderd how people become gay....anyone???

Hate the sin not the sinner is what the essence of the lecture is.

Well said Alhumdulilah.☺️

We think the same but you can put it into words. Thank you.

I only block comments for profanity, insults or for inciting violence. I don't police personal opinions.

wow. Amazing answer

well there is a lot of research that points that Homosexuality can be inherit trait and thus it could be that 90% of them were indeed gay or bi. (btw where did you get those numbers there really wrong, am talking about the 2%) however i don't think it's that i think their numbers were closer to Our's so about 25% however it was as you said more accepted thus more apparent specially if they were Rich,

@hsvluver considering the name tag say Abd al-Hakim Jackson, I'd say yes, he is a Muslim.

Well said masha'Allah

Great answer.

Respond to this video... The need to approve comments was the result of having to constantly delete vile, garbage filled rants and profanity laced posts. No comment has been rejected for its argument only for how it was articulated. The point of posting the video and allowing comments is for people to be exposed to a response that is rarely articulated and to share in that discussion. It was not meant to be a haven for bathroom talk. As you can see your critique wasn't censored was it?

asalaam u aleikum sheikh, at the beginning of the video you mention that according to what you expound islam does not "excommunicate" brothers and sisters within our beloved deen, this is good to say because isuing takfir is for the ulema. yet it is notable that consummating a marriage is a form of ibada, and this being said shirk ul ahkbar is something which can take you out of the fold of islam. if islam prohibits profane and obscene acts just as you do not allow profanity in responses

@disamjisa But it is still the principle whether the man said it or it lays in a fiqh book, i.e., we do not excommunicate people out of their transgression of laws since Allaah still put them in the cauldron of Islaam out of His raHmah, wAllahu a3lam. The principle leads to a compassionate clergy, something which seems to be lacking in our midst these days except with some high-quality scholars.

@syedBIDZali acts are tendencies aren't the same. we don't have control over how we feel. forcing someone to lifetime of celibacy is just cruel.