Title: Inclination Toward Homosexuality... Question: I have a Muslim friend who just kisses and cuddles with men and some oral sex and has done nothing else beyond that point (at least that is what he says). I know he is committing a sin in the eyes of Islam, but what would be the consequences for him if he has feelings for other men and not women? And what if he is forced to marry a girl? Should he do that? Thanks. Answer: According to the Qur'an, homosexuality is against the nature of man [nature here implies the design on which God created man]. For the satisfaction of our sexual instincts, God created the opposite sex - man for a woman and woman for a man. However, man has been designed in such a manner that he may spoil his nature through continual mental or physical indulgence in acts that are against that nature. In the initial stages, indulgence in such acts may seem to be cases of perversion. Nevertheless, if kept unchecked such perverse activities may develop into an ailment. Take the case, for instance, of pain. Avoidance of pain is a natural instinct of man. However, a person may through continual - mental or physical - indulgence in activities that are against this nature start taking pleasure in bearing and/or inflicting pain. Such perversion may ultimately develop into a grievous ailment, in which a person may start taking sexual pleasure in mercilessly killing others. When a perversion develops into an ailment, it no longer seems [for the sick person] to be against his/her nature. At this stage, the path of nature may seem to be unattractive and boring. It seems that your friend has apparently reached the level of sexual perversion where it has now developed into an ailment. I would, therefore, suggest that first of all you should try and help your friend in realizing and appreciating the fact that such deviation from nature's path can develop into an ailment, which takes man away from the path that his Creator has liked for him. If and when this point is fully appreciated and realized, he should then consult a psychiatrist - who considers homosexuality to be at least a social evil, if not a sin - and try to get himself treated for his ailment. It may encourage your friend to know that I personally know people who have been cured of this perversion. However, an important factor, which played a major role in their successful treatment, was their perception of the inclination toward homosexuality as unnatural and therefore an ailment. A person who does not consider such deviation to be an ailment should first be made to realize that it is one. As far as marriage is concerned, I would suggest that the decision be made in the light of the advice of a qualified psychiatrist. 4 th January 2000