What does the Quran say about homosexuality?
The Qur'an addresses homosexuality in several contexts, particularly condemning acts deemed lewd or immoral. One relevant verse is found in Surah Al-A'raaf, which states: And when they do some lewdness they say: We found our fathers doing it and Allah hath enjoined it on us. Say: Allah, verily, enjoineth not lewdness. Tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?
7:28. This verse highlights that the justification of immoral actions based on tradition is rejected, emphasizing that Allah does not command such lewdness.
In another verse, Surah An-Nahl asserts the moral framework set by Allah, stating: Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.
16:90. Here, the Qur'an clearly forbids lewdness, including acts that are sexually immoral.
Furthermore, Surah An-Noor prescribes a punishment for adultery, which can be extended to acts of homosexuality. The verse reads: The adulterer and the adulteress, scourge ye each one of them (with) a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain withhold you from obedience to Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of believers witness their punishment.
24:2. This verse indicates the seriousness of sexual offenses in Islamic jurisprudence.
Additionally, hadith literature reflects similar views regarding homosexuality. For example, Sunan Ibn Majah records a saying of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: The Prophet said, 'If a man calls another man 'mukhannath' (effeminate), whip him twenty lashes; and if he calls him 'luti' (a sodomite), whip him twenty lashes.'
Sunan Ibn Majah 21:36. This narration shows that such terms and actions were met with severe disapproval and punishment.
Together, these sources reflect a consistent stance in Islamic texts condemning homosexual acts and prescribing punishments for such behaviors.
Sources
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7:28 · Al-A'raaf
7:28 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَٰحِشَةًۭ قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَآ ءَابَآءَنَا وَٱللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْفَحْشَآءِ ۖ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when they do some lewdness they say: We found our fathers doing it and Allah hath enjoined it on us. Say: Allah, verily, enjoineth not lewdness. Tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?
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16:90 · An-Nahl
16:90 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.
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24:2 · An-Noor
24:2 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
ٱلزَّانِيَةُ وَٱلزَّانِى فَٱجْلِدُوا۟ كُلَّ وَٰحِدٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا مِا۟ئَةَ جَلْدَةٍۢ ۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُم بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌۭ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
The adulterer and the adulteress, scourge ye each one of them (with) a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain withhold you from obedience to Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of believers witness their punishment.
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Sunan Ibn Majah 21:36
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 21, Hadith 36 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Prophet said, "If a man calls another man 'mukhannath' (effeminate), whip him twenty lashes; and if he calls him 'luti' (a sodomite), whip him twenty lashes."
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