Thank you for writing to the Ask About Islam section and for your question. Here are some thoughts for your consideration.
First, we appreciate your interest in learning more about Islam's stance on homosexuality. You have asked a two part question related to homosexuality, namely why it is considered a sin and why homosexuals are, in your own words, "to be murdered."
To begin with, you should know that Muslims believe in Allah as the One and Only Creator of all that exists and therefore accept that Allah has full knowledge of His creation. Allah Most High knows about every aspect of human life and has knowledge of even the inner, unexpressed thoughts of human beings.
Therefore, in Islam, the understanding is that Allah Most High has created mankind from a male and a female, the first human pair being Adam and Eve. All subsequent generations to emerge from Adam and Eve have been possible because of the natural reproductive process, that is, the union of a male and a female. In the context of society, even this union between a male and a female is regulated, and according to Islam, should not exist outside of the institution of marriage.
As humans were created of two sexes to be able to reproduce sexually (as opposed to asexually as some lower creatures do), what is considered most unnatural in Islam is the existance of non-platonic relationships (i.e., involving sexual attraction) of men to men and women to women. What is acceptable, of course, is platonic, entirely non-sexual, love expressed by men to men and by women to women in a brotherly and sisterly manner.
This does not mean, however, that Islam turns a blind eye to the existence of homosexuality. In fact, the Qur'an does not deny that some men and women might be inclined towards homosexual and lesbian behavior, but it is quite clear from Islamic teachings that when and if such behavior becomes manifest, it has to be stopped because it is both unnatural and destructive to the social fabric.
We are reminded for example in the Qur'an of the statement of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) who found his people engaged in homosexuality and said what means:
*{And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: "Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway and practice wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth."}* (Al-`Ankabut 29:28-29)
In another verse in the Qur'an, Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) also said to them:
*{Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!}* (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:165-166)
So, the Qur'an in general regards homosexuality as unnatural and informs us that it was not known among the creation before the people of Lot practiced it. Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) attempted to advise his people to refrain from this unnatural behavior lest they incur the wrath of God.
Salam, Thomas.
Thank you for writing to the Ask About Islam section and for your question. Here are some thoughts for your consideration.
First, we appreciate your interest in learning more about Islam's stance on homosexuality. You have asked a two part question related to homosexuality, namely why it is considered a sin and why homosexuals are, in your own words, "to be murdered."
To begin with, you should know that Muslims believe in Allah as the One and Only Creator of all that exists and therefore accept that Allah has full knowledge of His creation. Allah Most High knows about every aspect of human life and has knowledge of even the inner, unexpressed thoughts of human beings.
Therefore, in Islam, the understanding is that Allah Most High has created mankind from a male and a female, the first human pair being Adam and Eve. All subsequent generations to emerge from Adam and Eve have been possible because of the natural reproductive process, that is, the union of a male and a female. In the context of society, even this union between a male and a female is regulated, and according to Islam, should not exist outside of the institution of marriage.
As humans were created of two sexes to be able to reproduce sexually (as opposed to asexually as some lower creatures do), what is considered most unnatural in Islam is the existance of non-platonic relationships (i.e., involving sexual attraction) of men to men and women to women. What is acceptable, of course, is platonic, entirely non-sexual, love expressed by men to men and by women to women in a brotherly and sisterly manner.
This does not mean, however, that Islam turns a blind eye to the existence of homosexuality. In fact, the Qur'an does not deny that some men and women might be inclined towards homosexual and lesbian behavior, but it is quite clear from Islamic teachings that when and if such behavior becomes manifest, it has to be stopped because it is both unnatural and destructive to the social fabric.
We are reminded for example in the Qur'an of the statement of Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) who found his people engaged in homosexuality and said what means:
*{And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: "Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway and practice wickedness (even) in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth."}* (Al-`Ankabut 29:28-29)
In another verse in the Qur'an, Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) also said to them:
*{Of all the creatures of the world, will you approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, you are a people transgressing (all limits)!}* (Ash-Shu`araa' 26:165-166)
So, the Qur'an in general regards homosexuality as unnatural and informs us that it was not known among the creation before the people of Lot practiced it. Prophet Lot (peace be upon him) attempted to advise his people to refrain from this unnatural behavior lest they incur the wrath of God.
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