Investigating the Islamic Perspective on Homosexuality

ABSTRACT

In his 2006 article in the Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America (JIMA), Dr. Ahmed qualified the predominant psychiatric view on homosexuality by recourse to opinions prevalent within reparative therapy circles. Conservative Muslim thinkers, online counselors, and other professionals continue to hold opinions similar to those delineated by Dr. Ahmed in his journal article. We use his article as a focal point to critique the general opinions upheld by conservative Muslim thinkers by alluding to the harms associated with reparative therapy and by rejecting the unreasonable prescription of permanent celibacy. We critique Dr. Ahmed’s association of homosexuality with mental health issues, fatal diseases, alcoholism, and illicit sexual intercourse. Investigating the Muslim tradition, we encourage conservative Muslim leaders to facilitate Muslim gays and lesbians in their legitimate human need for intimacy, affection, and companionship.

KEYWORDS:

• Homosexuality
• permanent celibacy
• reparative therapy
• Islam
• Muslim same-sex unions
• internalized homophobia
• minority stress

Acknowledgments

Our opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of our respective institutions where we work. We are extremely grateful to Ayman H. Fadel for his excellent help with this work.