A wise nation learns from its history and avoids repeating past mistakes. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in Pakistan and other Muslim countries. We seem eager to adopt Western traditions, culture, and practices, even if they contradict our Islamic principles. In recent years, the LGBTQ movement has gained prominence in the West and among non-Muslim communities. Now, Pakistan is also grappling with this issue as its proponents tirelessly strive to achieve their goals.
If you happen to support LGBTQ rights, you might label me as homophobic. Just as we consider those who publicly burn the Quran to be Islamophobic, no significant action is taken against them. While Islam is the most widely followed religion globally, this is not the central focus of my writing. To begin, let’s clarify the meaning of LGBTQ. The term represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning individuals. The LGBTQ community has several demands:
Equality
Elimination of discrimination
Prevention of violence against their community
Access to Healthcare Services
Access to Education Services
Equal job opportunities
Government financial support
Equality in surrogacy
Right to marry
Recognition and acceptance by society
These are some of the demands the LGBTQ community seeks from governments to secure a normal life like others.
However, my concern lies with the future of our generation. How do we explain LGBTQ phenomena to our children? How can we describe the concept of a “queer” or “questioning” individual to them, someone who hasn’t identified their own identity and could potentially claim to be anything, a bird one day and a tree the next? How do we prevent ourselves from being influenced by this troubling movement? Who is responsible for this phenomenon? Is an identity crisis the driving factor?
Intersex and LGBTQ:
It’s essential to clarify that many mistakenly equate the LGBTQ community with intersex individuals, those born with both male and female biological traits. In reality, intersex individuals (making up 1.7% of the population) are naturally born this way. Transgender individuals, on the other hand, intentionally undergo procedures to transform their gender through surgery. Procedures like gender affirmation surgery and phalloplasty are used for transformation.
LGBTQ and Islam:
As I mentioned earlier, wise nations don’t repeat mistakes and don’t oppose Islamic laws. This serves as a reminder to my readers that Hazrat Lut (AS) warned his people against engaging in this sin, but they disregarded his guidance. They were the pioneers of homosexuality and followed their desires. Allah’s punishment fell upon the people of Lut, including Hazrat Lut’s (AS) wife. Angels (Jibreel, Mikail, and Israfil) were sent to inflict Allah’s punishment and destroy them.
Quranic verses highlight Hazrat Lut’s (AS) plea:
“And [mention] when Lot said to his people, ‘Do you commit immorality while you are seeing?'” [Quran 7:80]
In Surah Ash-Shu’ara, Allah’s question reverberates through humanity:
“Do you approach males among the worlds” [Quran 26:165]
Several Hadiths address homosexuality as well:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever you find engaged in the actions of the people of Lut, kill the one doing it and the one to whom it is done.”
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said about those who act like the people of Lut:
“Stone the upper and the lower; stone them both.”
Are we not treading the path of Qaum-e-Lut? If we are, let us ponder the Quranic verses and the Hadith of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) to navigate the righteous way dictated by Allah.
LGBTQ and Suicide Rates:
If the LGBTQ community asserts their right to freely identify their gender and pursue their happiness, why is there an alarmingly high rate of depression and suicide cases within this community? Research conducted in Serbia reveals that LGBTQ individuals exhibit more symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies compared to heterosexual counterparts.
Imagine if governments grant them the rights they seek, and society embraces them. Could individuals supportive of incest or necrophilia claim equal treatment? If we accept that LGBTQ rights are based on personal desires, then these individuals could demand the same treatment for their unconventional preferences.
Governments play a pivotal role here. They must consider the repercussions of fulfilling LGBTQ demands. Muslim countries can employ Quranic verses and Hadiths to shape and reinforce Islamic laws against this movement.
May Allah guide us all to the right path.
