First Muslim Narrative: Homosexuality is not natural, but a deviation caused by Satan
According to Islamic belief, homosexuality is not something rooted in human nature. Instead, it is often described as a deviation introduced through the misguidance of Satan. This perspective is based on Quran 7:80, where Prophet Lut says to his people:
“Indeed, you commit such immorality as no one among the worlds has ever done before you.”
(Quran 7:80)
Classical scholars interpret this verse to mean that homosexuality did not exist before the people of Lut. They believe Satan was the first to lead people into such acts. From this viewpoint, same-sex attraction is not seen as a natural human variation, but rather a corruption of instincts caused by evil whispers.
Islamic teachings advise Muslims who feel tempted or morally confused to recite specific supplications to protect themselves from Satan’s influence. One of the most frequently mentioned is:
"لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ"
("There is no power and no strength except through Allah")
The Prophet Muhammad described this phrase in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim as:
"A treasure from the treasures of Paradise."
(Bukhari 6384; Muslim 2704)
In another narration found in Musnad Ahmad and authenticated by scholars like Al-Albani, it is stated that when a person feels the presence of Satan or is disturbed by harmful thoughts, they should say:
“A‘ūdhu billāhi min ash-shayṭāni r-rajīm” (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan)
and
“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”
These words are believed to make Satan run away, making one free from Satanic influence.
However, this raises an important question:
- There exists millions of homosexual Muslims, who firmly believe in Allah.
- And if homosexuality is truly the result of Satan’s whispers only, why do then these homosexual Muslims find that these prayers do not remove their feelings? These poor homosexual Muslims recite them sincerely and repeatedly, yet their orientation remains unchanged.
This is an ample proof that this Islamic claim that homosexuality is caused solely due to Satanic whispering, is absolutely false.
The false belief that homosexuality is caused only by Satan has led to damaging consequences in Muslim communities. Popr Muslims, who identify as gay are sometimes accused of being possessed by jinn. In response, families subject them to Ruqyah rituals or even full Quranic exorcisms.
These experiences never bring healing. Instead, they cause deep psychological harm. The person is made to feel cursed, invaded, or spiritually defective, simply for experiencing something they did not choose. Rather than offering understanding or support, such practices reinforce only feelings of shame, guilt, and despair.
Second Muslim Narrative: Homosexuality is a Disease
When the prayer "لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ" (meaning, There is no power and no strength except through Allah) fails to change a person’s sexual orientation, and when homosexual Muslims continue to experience the same feelings despite sincere efforts, the earlier narrative of Satanic misguidance quietly fades into the background.
In its place, Islamic apologists introduce a new claim. This new narrative asserts that homosexuality is not a result of Satan’s whispers but is instead a physical or psychological illness.
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Zakir Naik has repeatedly claimed that homosexuality is a “disease” or “mental disorder” caused by external influences.
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Yusuf al-Qaradawi stated that homosexuality is an “abnormal condition” that must be treated.
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Bilal Philips has referred to it as an “evil illness.”
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Saudi and Egyptian fatwas have often called it a "psychological problem" that needs "treatment" or "correction."
Based on this new narrative, the recommended solution shifts. Instead of Ruqyah or religious exorcism, individuals are now pressured into conversion therapies, medical treatments, or psychological counseling. However, these so-called treatments have brought nothing but deep psychological harm and despair to many. The result is often severe depression, self-loathing, and emotional trauma.
Please remember that this disease-based narrative is not rooted in Islamic scripture. It is a relatively modern idea, emerging primarily in the 20th century when some doctors, who were influenced by social and religious pressure, attempted to "cure" homosexuality using medications and psychotherapy. These attempts eventually failed, and decades of scientific research later confirmed that homosexuality is not an illness and cannot be changed through therapy or medication.
Third Muslim Narrative: Being gay is a "TEST" and it is not a sin itself but practising it is a sin and crime
The first two narratives failed miserably.
Love became a witness that homosexuality is natural.
Yes, it became apparent that homosexuality is deeply rooted in the human experience of love, emotional intimacy, companionship, and connection between individuals of the same sex. Sexual expression is just one aspect of that broader relationship, not the entire picture.
Consider the following:
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Homosexual individuals fall in love just like heterosexual individuals do.
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They dream about their partners, long for emotional closeness, and often build lives together. It is about forming families.
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Living with a same-sex partner can offer emotional fulfilment, comfort, and shared joy.
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Their intimate relationships are filled with affection, trust, and mutual care.
Many Muslims who identify as gay continue to believe in Allah sincerely. They pray, they fast, and they strive to live moral lives. Yet they cannot deny the love they feel, or the natural pull of attraction toward someone of the same sex. These are not rebellious people. They are honest souls, carrying a truth they never chose, and cannot suppress.
It became impossible for modern Islamic apologists to deny millions of testimonies of these millions of Muslim gay people.
This ultimately compelled modern Islamic apologists to come up with a new narrative (/excuse), i.e.:
"Although one may feel helpless when they fall in love with someone of the same sex, nevertheless, Allah prohibited it, considering it a Test or Trial. You are not committing a sin simply because you are gay and feel attracted to someone of your own sex and fall in love with them, but engaging in sexual acts with them would be considered a sin and you must be killed in most horrible ways.. "
This position, while appearing more tolerant on the surface, still reduces love to temptation and turns a genuine human bond into a moral crime. It asks people to live without affection, without partnership, and without ever being touched with love, not for a short time, but for their entire lives.
Gay Muslims are then forced to marry the opposite sex people, and it is told to them that it is also a Test/Trail for them to keep their partners happy their entire lives.
We must not accept this third narrative either.
This is not compassion. This is not truth. It is simply a new excuse to avoid confronting the overwhelming evidence of real human experience.
We have seen this pattern before. When science revealed the dangers of cousin marriages, many Muslim voices rejected it and accused researchers of spreading lies. Yet with time, more and more people accepted the findings, because reality cannot be silenced forever.
The same will happen here. Attitudes toward homosexuality are already shifting. The voices of LGBTQ Muslims, along with scientific understanding of sexuality, are reshaping the conversation. The truth is finding its way into the hearts of those willing to listen.
Fourth Muslim Narrative: Homosexuality is caused by external factors like childhood trauma
Islamic apologists also come up with this narrative:
Childhood trauma from abuse can influence how you view things later in life and it may push you towards homosexuality.
Our Response:
If you are a true Muslim and believe in the words of Allah in the Quran, then you can never use this argument of "childhood trauma".
Yes, if you really believe in the words of the Quran, then homosexuality is not caused by childhood trauma, but due to the whispering of Satan. That is why there existed no homosexual before the nation of Lut.
“Indeed, you commit such immorality as no one among the worlds has ever done before you.”
(Quran 7:80)
There are many who never had any childhood trauma, yet they are still attracted to homosexuality.
On our ex-Muslim subreddit, there are thousands of testimonies from Muslim boys and girls who come from religious families, yet they are still homosexuals. They have religiously brainwashed their entire life that homosexuality is a sin and crime, but still, religion got defeated against their nature.
Hassan Radwan