The Constitutional Court's ruling in favour of same sex 'marriages' as well as the majority vote of the parliament of this country in favour of it, is a cause of great concern for the people of this country. Now the NCOP has also voted in its favour. Once the President of the country signs the bill, it becomes law. That is more of a formality. As Muslim citizens of this country, we are duty bound to raise our objections in the strongest possible way towards this development, as an act of Nahi- anil-Munkar. All of this is being done in the name of human rights, equality, liberty, freedom of expression, constitutional principles and so forth.

At present, there is a global tendency to legitimise homosexuality through legislation. Many countries seem to be moving towards the idea of accepting same sex 'marriages'. Lots of politicians, journalists, law makers and opinion makers are calling for this, thereby wanting to make homosexuality appear to be normal and acceptable in society. Spurious arguments are forwarded to try to justify this deed by attributing it to a variety of causes such as hereditary factors, genetic reasons, personal preferences, emotional inclinations, failed experiences, etc. Yet, all of these are baseless arguments. If this is assumed to be true then every crime on earth can be attributed to one or more of the above factors, and hence no criminal should be considered guilty of any crime. But n body would accept such a foolish argument. So the same must be said regarding the arguments in support of homosexuality. Man has been granted the faculty of intelligence, rational thinking and freedom of choice or willpower. He is required to use these to suppress any unnatural or immoral or criminal instincts that may develop within himself at any time, otherwise he must be ready to face the consequences and repercussions of his doings.  

Very unfortunately, some Muslims are caught up in this issue. Some openly profess to be 'Muslim gays', others are not homosexuals, but are sympathetic towards them, calling for tolerance and acceptance of this abominable act. Some have even supported it through the vote.    

The Holy Qur'an states: "And remember Lut when he said to his people: 'Do you commit the worst sin such as no people in creation ever committed before you? Verily, you practise your lusts on men in preference to women. You are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." (Surah Al-A'araaf, 81)  

The punishment that descended upon this deviant nation was extremely severe. Their cities were turned upside down, and rains of rock and stone lashed them, until it piled into mounds around them. Elsewhere it is mentioned that a dreadful sound, like a scream was part of their punishment. "Then when Our decree came to pass. We turned the cities upside down, and We rained thereon stones of baked clay, piled up." (Surah Hud, 82)   

The community of Hazrat Lut (Alaihis Salaam) inhabited about five towns or localities, the two main being Sodom and Gomorah. These people enjoyed numerous bounties of Allah, in the form of agricultural prosperity, but instead of becoming grateful and obedient, they overstepped all limits, and indulged in the most depraved and immoral act possible for humanity. Through this act, man has descended to such a degenerate level, that even the beasts have not stooped to such a level.  

Today, the Dead Sea in Palestine stands as a stark lesson for humanity till Qiyamah as a sign of Allah's punishment upon the corrupt nation of Lut (Alayhis-Salaam). It is called the 'dead sea' because no fish or organisms can live in it. This is perhaps because of the effects of the La'nat or curses that have descended upon this land. Will man not take heed, Almighty Allah asks in the Qur'an?  

The Islamic position on this is as clear as daylight. There is no difference of opinion, or interpretation of any sort. Homosexuality has been severely condemned in the Holy Qur'an as a major sin, a huge transgression, an unnatural act and a heavily punishable crime. The scourge of HIV AIDS which has been associated with immoral sexual acts, especially sodomy, is yet another grim reminder of Allah's wrath and the devastation that it reeks. Muslims are duty bound to raise their objections and lend their support in opposing this legislation, otherwise it is feared that everyone may be overtaken by the consequences that could follow. May Allah protect us from His wrath.