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If I'm a Lesbian, Can I Be Muslim? | Shamsi & CCDawah

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUp85C61j5E

A lady came to our Ustadh Shamsi at a street da‘wah table in Shepherd’s Bush, London, and said: “I have feelings of same-sex attraction, and I want to know what the Qur’an says. If a woman is a lesbian, can she still be a Muslim?”

He replied by saying: “I’ll tell you something. Two weeks ago I was in Birmingham speaking to a lady from a Christian background. She said Islam makes sense, but before becoming Muslim she had one question. She asked about LGBTQ. So I told her clearly, Islamically I’m not going to compromise my religion to please anyone. I’m not going to displease Allah for the sake of people. I will tell you what Islam teaches: it is a sin, and no doubt it is a major sin. However, having a feeling does not make you evil. But just because you feel something does not mean you have to act upon it.”

He continued: “I gave her an example. I said, imagine I feel like I don’t have an arm. Would you help me cut off my arm? You would say no. So just because I feel something, it doesn’t mean it should be acted upon. Likewise, there are people who may have other forbidden feelings, but we don’t say act upon them. As long as you don’t act on it, you are not sinful. And if you fight against it, what is your reward? Paradise.”

He said: “Don’t let this life deceive you. Let’s say you fulfill your desires for 30, 40, or even 80 years. Are you going to choose that over an eternal Paradise? Even if someone falls into this sin, it does not take them out of Islam, as long as they don’t believe it is permissible. It remains a major sin, but the better path is to turn away from it and struggle against it.”

He added: “When I came to prison, there were things that were very hard for me to stop. But I struggled against them because I knew the reward. Allah does not command something except that it is within your ability. So yes, it is a major sin, but feeling something does not mean you must act upon it.”

He said: “Some people say they are born with it, that it starts from birth. But even if someone feels something, that does not make it right. There are people who may have feelings that are clearly forbidden, like being attracted to their own family members. Are you going to say to them, ‘because you feel it, go and act upon it’? No. So just having a feeling does not mean it should be implemented. As long as you do not act upon it, you are not sinful, and if you fight against it, then there is a reward for that.”

He also said, “Some people try to justify it by saying that animals do it. But animals also relieve themselves openly, so does that mean we should do the same? Some animals behave in ways driven purely by instinct, but that does not mean humans should follow them. Allah has honored the children of Adam with intellect and the ability to distinguish between what is beneficial and what is harmful. So just because something exists in animals does not make it a justification for human behavior.”

He continued: “If a Muslim commits this sin, we do not say they go straight to Hellfire. They are under the threat, yes, but as long as they don’t believe it is halal. But if someone believes it is allowed and acceptable before Allah, then that is a serious matter. So fight against your desires.”

He said, “How long are we going to live? 60, 70 years? Is it worth sacrificing eternal Paradise for temporary desires? This life is a test. Some people are tested with wealth, others with desires. You fight it. There are people who had these feelings and became Muslim, and they continue to struggle and practice Islam.”

Then the lady asked a follow-up question: “What if someone is committing the act but does not believe it is permissible and is struggling to stop? Can they still practice Islam?”

He replied: “Yes, they can still practice Islam, but they must fight against their desires. One does not cancel the other. Some people say, ‘I commit sins so I won’t practice.’ No. Even if someone takes drugs, we don’t tell them to leave Islam. Rather, we tell them to keep practicing and try to stop. If you try to do good and struggle against your desires, you will be rewarded.”

He concluded: “Don’t let Satan deceive you into choosing temporary desires over eternal Paradise. We are not perfect, but when we fall, we seek forgiveness. Take things step by step. The most important thing is to submit to Allah, then continue improving. Nothing should stop you from becoming Muslim or practicing Islam. Remember, death can come at any time, so use your time to do righteous actions and return to Allah.”

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BreakDown:

If I Am a Lesbian, Can I Be a Muslim?

🔹 The Situation Presented

A woman approached Ustadh Shamsi at a street da‘wah table in Shepherd’s Bush, London. She explained that she has feelings of attraction toward the same gender and wants to know what Islam says about it.

➡️ Main point: The question is not just about actions, but about identity, feelings, and faith.

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🔹 Initial Context (Birmingham Story)

Shamsi begins by mentioning a similar encounter in Birmingham with a woman from a Christian background who was interested in Islam but had concerns about LGBTQ issues.

➡️ Explanation:
This shows that such questions are common among people exploring Islam. It also sets the tone that accepting Islam sometimes comes with personal struggles or doubts.

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🔹 Not Compromising Islamic Principles

He clearly states that he will not change or soften Islamic teachings to please people.

➡️ Explanation:
The emphasis here is that truth, from his perspective, is not adjusted based on societal pressure. The goal is to convey what Islam teaches as it is understood traditionally.

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🔹 Feelings Do Not Equal Sin

He explains that having a feeling does not make someone evil.

➡️ Explanation:
This is a key distinction:

• Feelings = not sinful
• Actions = accountable

Islamic teaching often separates internal thoughts from external behavior.

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🔹 Example of Not Acting on Feelings

He gives an analogy: if someone feels like they don’t have an arm, it doesn’t mean they should cut it off.

➡️ Explanation:
The purpose of this example is to argue that:

• Not every strong feeling should be acted upon
• Feelings alone are not justification for actions

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🔹 Extreme Example (Forbidden Desires)

He mentions that some people may feel attraction toward clearly forbidden things (like incest), but society does not accept acting on them.

➡️ Explanation:
This is used to reinforce the idea that:

• Having a feeling does not make it acceptable
• Moral boundaries exist regardless of feelings

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🔹 Reward for Resisting Desires

He emphasizes that resisting such desires brings reward, including Paradise.

➡️ Explanation:
This introduces the concept of:

• Life as a test
• Struggle (jihad an-nafs) being rewarded

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🔹 Life is Temporary vs Hereafter is Eternal

He contrasts temporary worldly pleasure with eternal reward.

➡️ Explanation:
The message is:

• Short-term desire should not outweigh long-term consequences
• The Hereafter is the ultimate goal

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🔹 Sin Does Not Remove a Person from Islam

He clarifies that committing such an act does not take someone out of Islam unless they believe it is permissible.

➡️ Explanation:
This is an important theological point:

• Sin ≠ disbelief
• Declaring sin as halal = serious issue

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🔹 Personal Story (Struggle with Sin)

He shares his own past struggle to show that overcoming desires is possible.

➡️ Explanation:
This makes the message relatable:

• Everyone has struggles
• Change requires effort and patience

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🔹 Fighting Desires Brings Greater Reward

He emphasizes that resisting desires is rewarded by Allah.

➡️ Explanation:
This reinforces:

• Struggle is meaningful
• Reward is tied to effort, not perfection

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🔹 Criticism of Scientific Justifications

He mentions a scientist discussing pedophilia to argue that not everything “natural” or “inborn” is acceptable.

➡️ Explanation:
The intended point:

• Just because something may have a biological basis does not make it morally acceptable

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🔹 Test from Allah

He explains that desires are part of life’s test.

➡️ Explanation:
This reflects a core belief:

• Everyone is tested differently
• Tests may involve desires, hardships, or circumstances

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🔹 Satan’s Role

He mentions that Satan beautifies and justifies sinful actions.

➡️ Explanation:
This highlights:

• Internal struggle is also spiritual
• Temptation is seen as part of the test

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🔻 Follow-Up Question Explanation

🔹 Can Someone Still Practice Islam While Struggling?

The woman asks if a person committing the act but struggling can still practice Islam.

➡️ Answer Explained:

• Yes, they can still practice Islam
• Sin does not cancel worship

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🔹 Example of Other Sins (Drugs)

He compares it to someone taking drugs but still being Muslim.

➡️ Explanation:
The idea is:

• People may commit sins
• That should not stop them from doing good

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🔹 Balance Between Sin and Worship

He stresses continuing good deeds while trying to stop the sin.

➡️ Explanation:
Islam encourages:

• Continuous improvement
• Not giving up بسبب sin

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🔹 Step-by-Step Approach

He advises gradual change rather than instant perfection.

➡️ Explanation:
This reflects a practical approach:

• Faith and practice develop over time
• Immediate perfection is unrealistic

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🔹 Final Reminder (Death and Accountability)

He ends by reminding about death and returning to Allah.

➡️ Explanation:
This serves as:

• A wake-up call
• Encouragement to prioritize faith and actions now

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🔹 Core Takeaways

• Feelings alone are not sinful
• Actions are what matter
• Sin does not remove someone from Islam
• Struggle is rewarded
• No one should abandon Islam بسبب personal difficulties
• Growth in religion happens step by step

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Summarized:

If I Am a Lesbian, Can I Be a Muslim?

Source: “If I'm a Lesbian Can I Be Muslim? | Shamsi & CCDawah”

Question

A lady asked our teacher, Ustadh Shamsi, at a street da‘wah table in Shepherd’s Bush, London:

She said: “I have feelings of same-sex attraction, and I want to know what the Qur’an says. If a woman is a lesbian, can she still be a Muslim?”

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Summary of the Response

Ustadh Shamsi responded based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, without compromising Islamic principles:

1. Feelings vs Actions

He clarified that:

• Having feelings or inclinations does not make a person sinful by itself.
• A person is accountable for actions, not involuntary thoughts or desires.

2. Homosexual Acts in Islam

• Acting upon same-sex desires is considered a major sin in Islam.
• However, committing a sin does not automatically take a person out of Islam, as long as they do not believe the sin to be permissible.

3. Struggling Against Desires

• A person who struggles against such desires and resists acting upon them is rewarded by Allah.
• Life is a test, and controlling desires is part of that test.

4. Importance of Obedience Over Desire

• Islam teaches that not every desire should be followed.
• A person may feel something strongly, but that does not justify acting upon it.

5. Hope and Repentance

• Even if a person falls into sin, they can still:

• Practice Islam
• Seek forgiveness
• Continue doing good deeds

• No sin should prevent a person from turning back to Allah.

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Follow-Up Question

What if someone is committing homosexual acts but does not believe it is permissible and is struggling to stop? Can they still practice Islam?

Answer

• Yes, they can still practice Islam.
• Committing a sin does not prevent a person from worshipping Allah.
• However, they must:

• Recognize it as a sin
• Strive to stop
• Continue seeking forgiveness

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Key Message

• Islam distinguishes between desire and action.
• A Muslim may struggle with certain desires, but what matters is:

• Not justifying the sin
• Fighting against it
• Turning back to Allah

• One should not abandon Islam due to personal struggles. Rather, they should continue practicing and improving step by step.

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