Gender & LGBTQ

Islam recognizes human beings as male or female, and does not distinguish between the concepts of sex and gender. God declares the equality of men and women in the Qur’an in their duty to worship Him, as well as in their ability to develop themselves morally and spiritually in fulfillment of that duty. In various biological, psychological, dispositional, and physiological ways, however, men and women are different by God’s intentional design. The Qur’an says, “And the male is not like the female” [Qur’an, 3:36].

Distinct, yet complementary in nature, men and women were created to be companions of one another [Qur’an, 53:45]. The Qur’an states: O mankind! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its mate, and through both He spread countless men and women [Qur’an, 4:1]. God calls upon believing men and women to take advantage of these differences and work together as allies who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong [Qur’an, 9:71].

To learn more about this topic, please refer to the article, Gender Uniqueness in Islam and the Significance of Fatherhood

While spiritually equal, men and women have different roles, rights, and responsibilities that guide how they interact in the domestic sphere and in society at large. For example, Allah declares that “men are the protectors and maintainers of women” [Qur’an, 4:34]. Men are hence responsible for their families, while women are granted the right to be supported financially throughout their lives.

God’s law, the Shariah, takes these differences into account. Although by default men and women follow the same religious rulings, in certain aspects the rulings pertaining to the two genders differ (e.g., in aspects of prayer, inheritance, or dress code).

Allah teaches us not to compete for the same roles and responsibilities, but rather to work alongside one another in enjoining good, forbidding evil, and forming communities that exalt the Divine Command: “And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing” [Qur’an, 4:32].

Islam categorizes sexual acts—not sexual identities—as permissible (halal) and prohibited (haram). Sexual relations are only permitted between a man and a woman in marriage bound by an Islamically valid contract; all else is illegitimate.

Islam thus prohibits sexual relations with members of the same sex. In the Qur’an, the emblematic sin of Lot’s people is their engagement in sexual behavior with other men. The Qur’an states: And ˹remember˺ when Lot scolded ˹the men of˺ his people, ˹saying,˺ “Do you commit a shameful deed that no man has ever done before? You lust after men instead of women! You are certainly transgressors” [Qur’an, 7:80-81].

To learn more about what Islam says about homosexuality, refer to Yaqeens webinar, Islam and LGBTQ as well as, Islam and the LGBT Question: Reframing the Narrative | Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research

Islam does not define or categorize people on the basis of internal feelings, sexual or otherwise. Rather, it affirms a person's core identity as a servant of God. Islam differentiates between feelings and acts and, further, between the commission of (private) sins and (public) advocacy on behalf of those sins. Individuals, therefore, who experience–but do not act upon—same-sex attractions and/or gender dysphoria should never be ostracized or condemned. Rather, they are considered to be engaging in a faithful struggle, worthy of reaching a high rank with God.

To learn more about what Islam says about living with same sex attraction, refer to Yaqeen’s podcast epsiode Living with Same-Sex Attraction as a Muslim | Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research

It is important for Muslims to clearly understand and not compromise on Islam’s sexual ethics. It is a Qur’anic imperative to uphold Islam’s ethical standard with confidence, as God states: “Call [people] to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful admonition, and dispute with them in the most courteous of ways; for your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and who is rightly guided” [Qur’an, 16:125].

At the same, Muslims should show empathy and understanding to those dealing with same-sex attractions or gender identity issues for what is often a very difficult and emotionally taxing issue. Being compassionate toward someone struggling with gender identity or same-sex attraction does not mean bending God’s commands or misrepresenting the Islamic paradigm on gender, sexuality, morality, and identity. No one is more merciful or compassionate than God; true compassion thus involves guiding others to the truth and what pleases the Creator.