Thread by @sasa_ghada

Last week, I promised to share a🧵dismantling the Navigating Differences (ND) queerphobic statement recently released by a group of Muslim leaders. I will draw from the Quran & hadiths to substantiate my arguments while offering some resources.
#Islam #LGBT #Pride #Women

First, this statement dehumanizes queer people just by mentioning "LGBT-centric values", "practices" & "proponents". It's like condemning "female proponents". The existence of our queer kin, & our obligation to love & respect them are not up for debate (2/).

The first surah/chapter of the Quran, Al-Fatiha (The Opening), also refers to the opening of the heart/mind. It is a du'a/supplication that begins by emphasizing Allah's mercy/compassion, gratitude & asks for Their guidance. We read it at the start of every prayer (3/).

We say bismillah (In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful) to begin surahs & consecrate actions. @DrAishaYMu66587 also explains that the primary function of marriage according to the Quran (7: 189) is to foster love; not procreation (4/).

In the same clip, Islamic scholar @DrAishaYMu66587 outlines that "what makes sex lawful is a solemn covenant of loving friendship between two mature people who are not closely related" (verses 4:21; 30:21; 4:6; 4:22-24) (5/).

The Quran warns us not to transgress & make haram what is not clearly forbidden (6:138-45; 7:32; 16:116; 2:190; 7:55) as outlined in the Study Quran. The ND statement claims that the Quran "explicitly condemns sexual relations with the same sex", which is blatantly false (6/).

The ND statement refers to 4:16, 7:80-83 & 27:55-58, but 4:16 condemns fahisha committed by 2 individuals - not necessarily men. In Arabic, the masculine is the default gender in the dual form. Islamic scholars have generally NOT interpreted this verse in a homophobic way (7/).

Further, fahisha is a broad term that refers to misconduct & in this verse, it is likely to be of financial rather than sexual nature, since preceding & proceeding verses focus on monetary matters, as outlined by this brilliant article (8/).
thefatalfeminist.com/2020/12/07/pro…

The other two verses referenced are very similar, referring to the story of Lot. However, I'm linking the same article, which details how the people of Lot were punished for rape, xenophobia, & inhospitality; NOT same-sex love (9/).
thefatalfeminist.com/2020/12/07/pro…

Where I slightly disagree with the Nisa tafsir is I don't think the verses around the people of Lot address same-sex love at all. Rather, God clarifies that rape is a greater evil than adultery, & that rape is based on power, not lust. Until today, rape victims are gaslit (10/).

Several scholars found that all hadiths regarding same-sex love are weak. The ND statement also references a Bukhari hadith banning immitating the opposite gender, but Mufti Abu Layth challenges the authenticity of the Bukhari hadith collection (11/).

Transphobic arguments made, such as calling gender-affirming care haram, are also unspported, extremely violent, & unscientific. (12/)
blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/stop-us…

These leaders gatekeep Islam & curtail Tadabbur (critical reflection) to keep power and $$$. You don't need credentials, to speak Arabic, etc. to understand the Quran, as long as you have the text & an open heart. Ultimately of course, we are all imperfect & God knows best (13/).

Couple more verses to quickly highlight:
24: 31 says women do not need to draw their veils to "male attendants with no desire".
39: 18 asks us to interpret the Quran in the most just way.
3: 7 warns us about those who try to distort the faith & divide the Ummah (14/).

More scholars/sources to recommend:
The Study Quran (far from perfect but gives a good translation & Sunni, Shiite & Sufi commentary)
Homosexuality in Islam (Scott Kugle)
Before Homosexuality in the Arab-Islamic World, 1500-1800 (Khaled El-Rouayheb)
@mpvusa @Ladyimam (15/)

There is no way I could've done this topic justice on Twitter. I hope to write an article some day but there are many other Muslim scholars & activists paving the way for sexual/gender liberation. To my queer siblings, don't let anybody dictate who you are/how you should live.