Homosexuality in Islam

Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims

Scott Siraj Al-Haqq Kugle

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Year: 2010
• eBook ISBN:
  9781780740287
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Islamic Theology

Homosexuality is anathema to Islam – or so the majority of both believers and non-believers suppose. Throughout the Muslim world, it is met with hostility, where state punishments range from hefty fines to the death penalty. Likewise, numerous scholars and commentators maintain that the Qur’an and Hadith rule unambiguously against same-sex relations.

This pioneering study argues that there is far more nuance to the matter than most believe. In its narrative of Lot, the Qur’an could be interpreted as condemning lust rather homosexuality. While some Hadith are fiercely critical of homosexuality, some are far more equivocal. This is the first book length treatment to offer a detailed analysis of how Islamic scripture, jurisprudence, and Hadith, can not only accommodate a sexually sensitive Islam, but actively endorse it.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Illustrations
• Introduction
• 1. Islam on Trial: A Case Study
• 2. Liberating Qur’an: Islamic Scripture
• 3. Critiquing Hadith: Islamic Oral Tradition
• 4. Assessing Fiqh: Islamic Legal Reasoning
• 5. Reforming Shari‘a: Islamic Ethics of Same-Sex Marriage
• 6. Reviving Spirit: Islamic Approaches to Transgender Experience
• Conclusion: Embracing Islamic Humanism
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Index