An Analysis Of Islamic Homosexualities

Islamic Homosexualities

Culture, History, and Literature

By : Stephen O. Murray and Will Roscoe

In the book Islamic Homosexualities Murray tends to focus predominantly on

homosexuality among men. Meanwhile, there is one small chapter dedicated to

lesbianism and sex between two women. As one may see from the book, the Islamic

norms greatly differ from the Western ones and Murray shows us that through the text by

making several important points. Murray begins by explaining the origins of condemning

homosexuality which are in the story of Lot and Muhammad's views on it. Islam is not as

harsh in treatment regarding homosexuality as Christianity and Judaism. sex among men

tends to be the result of being segregated from women and in part from the poetic and

folk heritage that the act of penetrating a pretty boy is the best in sexual delight. Another

important point Murray make is that sex among men although frowned upon, is accepted

is those participating in the sex so long as they bear children and get married, as well as

keep silent about what they are doing. Also, that men are expected to "seek" to penetrate

and not be penetrated because that would be taking the female role because it is

shameful. Furthermore, Murray displays the affection between men in Islamic mystical

literature as well as in comparison to the Christian faith.

Romantic love among males, if chaste, seems to have an accepted place in

Islam culture in a way that was not seen in Judeo­Christian ones. ( Murray 91). The

reason why sex between males proposes an issue is because the masculinity of a man is

on the line. This is an attempt to explain the Prophet's "supposed" prohibition of

homosexual relations as well...

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homosexualities. Murray begins by explaining the context in which Islam views

homosexuality and the prophet, and continuing by explaining within many of the chapters

the role of men­men love within Islam and how it differs from Judeo­Christian religions.

Murray also portrays the existence of male homosexuality within Islamic mystical

literature and poetry. Although most of the excerpts refer to Male­Male love there is one

excerpt in reference to lesbianism, because it was rare and not recorded. The Qur'anic

verses that prohibit homosexuality are open for interpretation and one may see that even

within the story of Lot there are loopholes and homosexuality has been present with in

Islam culture for centuries at a time.

Works cited

Murray, Stephen O., and Will Roscoe. Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History, and

Literature. New York: New York UP, 1997.