Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims [Paperback]

For the purpose of this review, I thought it's important to give some of my background. I'm a 24-year-old medical student and I'm a practising Muslim, having learned Islamic studies ever since I was little up till I was 19, so I have extensive knowledge about it. I have always been inquisitive and questioning by nature, and I brought these into the realm of my Islamic studies to further understand Islam, much to the discomfort of other students ("common Muslims" are discouraged from having "obviously questioning" discussions as they are deemed to have inadequate scholarly knowledge). After years of study (including comparing other faiths), even though I was brought up as a Muslim, I believed in Islam on my own accord. I realised my same-sex attraction ever since I was about 9, but I thought I was attracted to females as well, so I concluded I was a bisexual some years later. I have been taught that homosexuality has no place in Islam, but it didn't bother me as much as I thought I could always settle with a girl. Late 2009, after further reflection and exploration, I concluded that I was actually gay, not having any sexual attraction toward females. This epiphany brought intense internal conflict - a battle between my religion and my sexuality. I desperately searched for answers.

Scott Kugle is the first Muslim to publish widely on the issue of homosexuality and transgender identity in Islam. Like some gay Muslim advocates, I expected a very emotionally-driven writing to defend queers when I bought this book. Instead, I was delightfully surprised by his neutral-sounding, critical and objective writing, reflecting years of careful research and synthesis of valid ideas. This book is divided into systematic sections, bringing readers into natural progression across his arguments. His introductory chapter is a wonderful summary of his whole book, telling readers what to expect in this book. He begins soon with discussion into the nature of human sexuality (including inherent nature of homosexuality) as a basis for his argument throughout the rest of the book.

The next chapter is all about the Qur'an's stand on the issue of homosexuality. It's about liberating the Qur'an from shackles of previous traditional/classical (mis)interpretation of this issue, which I had come to accept as an absolute "fact" from my years of study. The arguments are laid out logically and coherently, free from "twisting of the fact" as accused by the majority of Islamic authorities. This chapter changed my view of the scholars' interpretation of the Qur'an as almost infallible. A very eye-opening section of the book.

The following chapter talks about the hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings). In desperation to make syaria laws and rulings, jurists have used weak and (highly possibly) false/fabricated hadiths to justify condemnation of homosexuality and punishments for homosexual acts. Throughout my Islamic studies, I have surprisingly discovered many weak or fabricated hadiths that the "common Muslims" have accepted to be truth, so this chapter of the book serves to reinforce my discovery. Another eye-opening chapter if you aren't familiar with the studies of hadiths.

Next comes the chapter on assessing fiqh (Islamic legal reasoning). It focuses on the legal standing of homosexuality and male-male anal intercourse, some female-female relations. This chapter and the next chapter is tightly linked, as the idea to legalise homosexual relationships (in the eyes of God) via marriage (nikah) is explored, which requires critical reassessment of the current (patriarchal) idea of nikah between man and woman. This chapter provides solutions to the "problem" of homosexual relationships, and I commend the author for providing solutions too instead of simply presenting his arguments for homosexuality. The last chapter before the conclusion presents points for transgender individuals, which is also a great read.

Overall, this book is simply a superb buy, and in retrospect, I would have gladly paid even more for the quality of writing that I receive from this book. Who do I recommend it too? Well, of course for LGBTIQ Muslims this book is a must-read. I'd also recommend all Islamic teachers, imams, scholars, and authorities to give this book a read and please do so with an open and neutral mind, as I have forced myself to do (due to my classical/traditional Islamic understanding). For LGBTIQ Muslims, I would also recommend borrowing/buying this book for your Muslim friends and family members who might have trouble understanding our position. I also think that non-Muslims can benefit from this book, to help them understand that Islam is accommodating to queers. Basically, "Homosexuality in Islam" deserves a place in everyone's bookshelf.

It has helped me to reconcile with my religion and sexuality. Scott Kugle has probably saved my life from one of constant internal conflict and depression with his writing. What are you waiting for? Now go buy this book!

I am very proud and extremely happy to finally see this book online. After reading a number of excerpts from this book, as a gay Muslim, Siraj provides the GLT Muslim community thoroughly researched theological points of view, providing a diversity of understandings grounded in Quran, ahadeeth, fiqh, shari'ah and cultural traditions starting in antiquity to the present. I can't wait until I receive my copy of Siraj's book so I can read it cover to cover. This will be one that I keep in my library for life. Thanks, Siraj and looking forward to your next book.

Male homosexuality is a great sin in Islam, even a greater sin than adultery.
Islam means total submission to God's will. Nobody is allowed to modify and alter Islam.
The writer either accepts Islam, or can go and follow one of the religions were people altered and modified the religion to suite their desires, or even invented the whole thing!
It is either you worship the only God, and accept His laws, including those forbidding homosexuality, to be a Muslim, or go and worship humans, angels, wood, rocks, idols, animals ... etc, or even be religion-less! It's your choice! But DO NOT LIE about Islam!