British gay Muslims seek Islamic weddings

Sajid Iqbal โ€”

British gay Muslims seek Islamic weddings

British gay Muslims are joining the global fight for equality and seeking gay Islamic marriage. The BBC's 5 live Investigates speaks to one couple about their 'nikah' - a Muslim matrimonial contract - and asks how they balance their sexuality with the Islamic faith.

"We met about three years ago, at an iftar - a breaking of fast during Ramadan.

"I think a lot of Muslims find that time of year very spiritual and very enlightening, and so I think that's why our relationship developed, because we spoke about our faith."

"Eventually we went on a date."

Asra recalls the first time she met her partner, Sarah, three years ago. The gay couple, who are also Muslim, are one of a growing number of gay, British Muslims who have cemented their relationship with marriage - Islamic marriage.

Asra fondly remembers the moment Sarah proposed to her.

"After the first date, which was about an hour, Sarah casually asked me to marry her."

Sarah interjects.

"I think it was more like four hours, after dinner, coffee and walking. I didn't really plan it, but it just really seemed like the way it was between us, I should try and keep it as pure as possible.

"That may sound strange being lesbians, but it felt like we should do it the most honourable way we could."
The Muslim way

Asra and Sarah decided upon a 'nikah' - a Muslim matrimonial contract. Whilst nikahs have traditionally been the reserve of heterosexual Muslims, Asra and Sarah were aware that other gay Muslims had followed this route and the couple decided to investigate further.

Read full article here

Forum

007 (not verified) โ€” Tue, 15 Mar 2011 - 09:02

theres no excuse at the end of the day these feelings can be controlled and a muslim can seek help from the quran,imams (ones that understand) or ur closet fiends...its a test that was probaly thrown at them...inshallah Allah will change them and let them reliase their mistake and repent...afterall Allah knows best...

TPOS โ€” Tue, 15 Mar 2011 - 23:23

Same reason people commit other sins - lack of self-control/understanding etc

Welcome to the revival ๐Ÿ™‚ feel free to introduce yourself in the new members topic ๐Ÿ™‚

raeesa โ€” Wed, 16 Mar 2011 - 00:12

[quote=ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE]Same reason people commit other sins - lack of self-control/understanding etc

Welcome to the revival ๐Ÿ™‚ feel free to introduce yourself in the new members topic :)[/quote]

true but gayness is the worst

Jack the Ripper โ€” Thu, 17 Mar 2011 - 07:35

How very funny, does this mean everyone in the masjid including the Imaam performing the nikah should wear niqaab in front of this guy??

I mean common on we're all fair game for this chap, never know what he can do if he's left alone with the imaam in the masjid for crying out loud...

The Lamp โ€” Fri, 18 Mar 2011 - 15:36

[quote=Jack the Ripper]How very funny, does this mean everyone in the masjid including the Imaam performing the nikah should wear niqaab in front of this guy??

I mean common on we're all fair game for this chap, never know what he can do if he's left alone with the imaam in the masjid for crying out loud...[/quote]

LOL! OK seriously; I think most Imams can feel confident that they won't be hit on by a gay guy (well I don't think so).

ewwwwwwwwww (not verified) โ€” Wed, 23 Mar 2011 - 09:00

This is the BBC's way of trying 2 say that they're are Muslims that are gay and that Muslims need 2 learn 2 accept it ....ACCEPT IT??? wtf IT IS AGAINST ISLAM AND WE WILL NEVER ACCEPT IT....Astagfirullah ....i don't think people understand exactly how much it angers Allah *swt*

Foysol89 โ€” Sat, 26 Mar 2011 - 14:25

[quote=Ocean]MICE

MICE

NOT Humans

Can people leave Gay people alone please![/quote]

I agree they should be left alone too

Preferably in a secluded area where they don't bother anyone and nobody will in turn bother them. Then they will become extinct. ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

You โ€” Sat, 26 Mar 2011 - 17:57

You're assuming homosexuality is genetic or hereditary.

If that was the case, it would have disapeared long ago.

You just accept that people act in different ways and like different things.

samay (not verified) โ€” Thu, 28 Jul 2011 - 19:30

I completely disagree with the whole notion of homosexuality being acceptable in Islam. But living in today's society, there is a greater influence on our youth/middle age to 'be themselves' without considering the viewpoint of Islam, the media, gay right activists etc all teach our youth that being homosexual is OK and some groups even go as far as 'proving' that homosexuality is compatible with Islam. I personally believe that it is due to these very reasons that such radical changes are being seen today in Islam, changes where homosexual nikah is permitted.

A solution is needed not only to guide these poor individuals back onto the straight path, but also to prevent the straying of others in the future, instead of pretending these problems don't exist these need to be tackled head on. I think our parents generation especially do not feel comfortable in discussing these issues and to me that is completely understandable considering the society/culture they grew up in, But youth and people from our generation need to stand up and start solving this problem. Homosexuality is not so much of a shock to us as to our parents (the existence of homosexuality,not the acceptance), probably due to the society we have grown up in therefore I feel that it falls on us to develop these support groups, develop solutions and start helping individuals onto the right path.

samay (not verified) โ€” Sat, 30 Jul 2011 - 14:19

I'm unsure whether this was in response to my post?!

But, answering the question, no. I don't think Allah is homophobic.He created us and made rules for us to follow. It's up to us to follow them, and to test our devotion to us he has placed obstacles in our path. Like the anon poster a few posts above I can see how homosexual attraction is a sort of 'test' from Allah for which they have to control there actions regardless of feelings.

What made you ask this question?
xx

TPOS โ€” Sat, 30 Jul 2011 - 21:23

[quote=Ocean]Would you call God Homophobic?

(Not that we're allowed to call Him ANYTHING unless He says call me THIS and call me THAT and I'll listen to you)[/quote]
How could God be scared of anything?
[quote=samay]I completely disagree with the whole notion of homosexuality being acceptable in Islam. But living in today's society, there is a greater influence on our youth/middle age to 'be themselves' without considering the viewpoint of Islam, the media, gay right activists etc all teach our youth that being homosexual is OK and some groups even go as far as 'proving' that homosexuality is compatible with Islam. I personally believe that it is due to these very reasons that such radical changes are being seen today in Islam, changes where homosexual nikah is permitted.

A solution is needed not only to guide these poor individuals back onto the straight path, but also to prevent the straying of others in the future, instead of pretending these problems don't exist these need to be tackled head on. I think our parents generation especially do not feel comfortable in discussing these issues and to me that is completely understandable considering the society/culture they grew up in, But youth and people from our generation need to stand up and start solving this problem. Homosexuality is not so much of a shock to us as to our parents (the existence of homosexuality,not the acceptance), probably due to the society we have grown up in therefore I feel that it falls on us to develop these support groups, develop solutions and start helping individuals onto the right path.[/quote]
Yep, you're right, but what kind of solutions would you suggest? How would you help that anon poster up there ^

samay (not verified) โ€” Sat, 30 Jul 2011 - 22:43

Well firstly I think a greater awareness needs to be raised. Not only to Muslim parents, (that yes you might find your child will grow up with homosexual feelings it's not their fault) but also to young people, examples should be raised about why this is wrong, why has Allah forbidden it but at the same time why might you be afflicted with it, how someone could be afflicted with it yet not have to pursue this sin etc etc. The whole notion of that just having these feelings is not a sin.

Secondly, a greater Muslim support network is needed, by that I mean people such as therapists, people who the youth of today would be able to connect with and talk about their problems and be offered solutions/support that is compatible with the life/culture that we are living in today. The idea of mentors etc that they have in e.g.AA groups, who are there to provide one-on-one support 24/7, generally just there whenever you feel you need to talk, have an urge etc. We need to be able to help these individuals increase their Imaan, help them get closer to Allah and maybe He will relive them of this burden. We can make them aware that Allah does love them, this is just a test etc, their is a greater reward after death.

Thirdly, I don't know if there are individuals who have fought this problem and manged to deal with it/or adapt their life somehow, maybe these people can give advice and support to other individuals. Someone who has first hand experience of what it feels like etc.

But in the end I suppose it all comes down to the fact that you can only help those who want to be helped, i.e those like the anon poster who accept that this 'way of life?' is wrong. But on the other hand I think this problem needs to be started dealing with early i.e around the time of puberty when i'd suppose individuals first become aware of these feelings. Otherwise these poor people generally won't tell anyone and would be constantly fighting an internal emotional battle draining themselves, losing faith, and slowly giving in. Like the anon poster said he's even started losing faith that there will be a cure, we need to help before it gets to this stage.

TPOS โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 00:05

[quote=samay] but at the same time why might you be afflicted with it, how someone could be afflicted with it yet not have to pursue this sin etc etc.[/quote]
Why and how would they be afflicted with it?

lollywood โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 14:22

There was a programme on CH 4 about gay Muslims a few years a go

How could you fall in love with a person who is the same sex as your self it's not right, there are 2 sex's 1 male 1 female if we were suppose to fall in love with the same sex then there would have only been one sex or both members of the same sex's would be able to re produce without the need of the other sex which is currently not the case naturally

Some people say it's an illness, some say its in the genes I say its become a fashion like most other things

If our grand parents and parents had been gay we ould not be sitting here writing this

TPOS โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 15:53

[quote=stopincest]

Some people say it's an illness, some say its in the genes I say its become a fashion like most other things
[/quote]
As silly as it sounds, that may have some truth. Some people seem to think it's cool to be gay

lollywood โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 16:36

[quote=ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE][quote=stopincest]

Some people say it's an illness, some say its in the genes I say its become a fashion like most other things
[/quote]
As silly as it sounds, that may have some truth. Some people seem to think it's cool to be gay[/quote]

Its like the new generation of girls and women having there heads shaved off, the girls and women of today are trying to make a bold statement and they want to be more and more like men in every way - a women shot here husband in Chakwal Pakistan a while back which just shows you how brave they have now become

I think its the first time we have some what agreed with each other

TPOS โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 16:53

[quote=stopincest] a women shot here husband in Chakwal Pakistan a while back which just shows you how brave they have now become

I think its the first time we have some what agreed with each other[/quote]
lol I doubt that's the first time a woman has shot someone.

lollywood โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 17:03

[quote=ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE][quote=stopincest] a women shot here husband in Chakwal Pakistan a while back which just shows you how brave they have now become

I think its the first time we have some what agreed with each other[/quote]
lol I doubt that's the first time a woman has shot someone.[/quote]

It might be in Pakistan

samay (not verified) โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 23:01

Well to put into simple terms, this is a test from Allah and the exact reasons why He might have inflicted this upon someone, only He knows. But to hazard a guess I think several things can thought to contribute to making an individual have these feelings. Im no psychologist or behaviour expert so these are just my opinions!

i)Identity. Situations in childhood/early life may have led to an individual feeling like they are lacking in traits which make them masculine, therefore this negative masculinity view might be created for which the individuals start desiring the 'true' masculinity in other men leading to infatuation/attraction.

ii)Parents. Distant parents in childhood etc where children may crave attention,acceptance affection from parents and where it is not given may leave the child growing up with those affectionate needs not being met, therefore they may start desiring these needs to be met by other men (as a replacement for the affection not shown in childhood).

iii) Abuse/Paedophilia/ Not a great family life...The list is endless really and we can look into and analyze psychologically every detail in peoples lives to try and find a cause, and although some may find it easier dealing with it knowing the cause, I think the treatment/support is the biggest challenge, the most important challenge.

Allah knows best

samay (not verified) โ€” Sun, 31 Jul 2011 - 23:07

You'd have to be pretty psychologically disturbed IMO to actually want to be gay. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't but if it does I'm sure that this observation must only account for the minority.

And you could argue till the end of the earth the reasons for why homosexuality is wrong, the major problem in this day and age is defining why it happens and how to stop it. These are the answers needed. It's all well and good giving reasons but if someone doesn't want to believe that this is a sin then no matter what you tell them they won't listen.

TPOS โ€” Mon, 1 Aug 2011 - 14:48

[quote=abdi1223]May Allah Forgive them![/quote]
May Allah lead them to the straight path!

[quote=samay]You'd have to be pretty psychologically disturbed IMO to actually want to be gay. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't but if it does I'm sure that this observation must only account for the minority.

And you could argue till the end of the earth the reasons for why homosexuality is wrong, the major problem in this day and age is defining why it happens and how to stop it. These are the answers needed. It's all well and good giving reasons but if someone doesn't want to believe that this is a sin then no matter what you tell them they won't listen.[/quote]
Agreed.

lollywood โ€” Mon, 1 Aug 2011 - 17:04

[quote=Ya'qub][quote=stopincest]
If our grand parents and parents had been gay we ould not be sitting here writing this[/quote]

that would b a shame.[/quote]

True

retromode (not verified) โ€” Fri, 5 Aug 2011 - 18:34

I see this topic is still ongoing. I just want to say I really like your ideas Samay, it's exactly the kind of action that is needed. Maybe if these ideas and actions were in place today, I like many other wouldn't be living in this daily hell.