Identity politics has become a huge part of our society and many Muslim parents are confused on how to navigate through it especially as it relates to their children, who are constantly being exposed and socially conditioned to accept ideas that directly contradict their religious values. Muslim kids face challenges today that many of us never came across growing up. One of these main challenges is the widespread acceptance of the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. It is constantly emphasized through the media, entertainment industry, school, and of course the internet.
There is no escaping it at this point. Our kids will most likely come across it one way or another especially in the West. The most important thing we can do, in addition to making lots of supplications, is talk to our kids by having meaningful discussions on the topic. We must teach them our own value system and prepare them for the real world. They must realize that they take their religious values from home and certainly not the irreligious society around them nor their peers.
I wanted to put together a short list of articles and videos that Muslim parents can use to understand what the LGBTQ+ philosophy is and how to navigate through it. And most important of all, how to protect your kids from it. If you go through all of the links below and comprehend the materials presented, then insha’Allah you will have a much better understanding of how to move forward with your kids. The list below is not complete and I plan to keep adding as I come across more relevant material that I feel may be helpful for Muslim parents in dealing with this issue.
The Modern World – This is an excellent lecture on the topic of what it means to have a “worldview” by Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui. Whether we like it or not, there are competing worldviews struggling against each other in the modern world. Our religion, based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, is also presenting a particular worldview. Dr. Sharif discusses the differences between the Islamic worldview and the modern worldview. Whenever I talk to someone about modernity, I struggle to explain to them the concept of competing worldviews and how it impacts the way we perceive and build opinions about different matters because it requires more than just 10 minutes to break it down! However, Dr. Sharif has done a decent job in 1.5 hours breaking it down in this PowerPoint presentation.
Islam and LGBTQ: Gender, Sexuality, Morality, and Identity – This is probably the most detailed and comprehensive discussion of the topic from Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui. It discusses the history, meaning, implications, and ways to counter the narrative.
The Gender and Gender Identity – This is a presentation by Mobeen Vaid who has done extensive research on the topic. In this presentation, he shares what it means to have a gender and gender identity and whether there is a difference between genders or not. He also gets into the LGBTQ+ agenda and their influence and ways to protect ourselves and kids from it.
Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 1) – An essay by Mobeen Vaid on the Islamic rulings and positions of various forms of gender nonconformity held by Sunni jurists.
Sunni Islam and Gender Nonconformity (Part 2) – This is the second part of the above essay. In it, Mobeen joins forces with Waheed Jensen, a physician, medical researcher, blogger, and the producer and host of “A Way Beyond the Rainbow,” a podcast series dedicated to Muslims experiencing same-sex attractions who want to live a life true to Allah and Islam and to helping Muslim families, communities, and institutions navigate questions related to Islam and homosexuality in the contemporary world. They discuss contemporary discourses surrounding the issue of gender identity (in comparison to biological sex), gender roles, and transgenderism with a focus on the multifarious ways in which modern discourses surrounding these topics can or cannot be accommodated given the legal, ethical, and moral boundaries established by Islamic law.
Straight Struggle – This is a short talk by Waheed Jensen, who struggles with same-sex attractions but has been able to manage his desires in order to live according to Allah’s laws. He shares his story. He also has a more detailed discussion on the topic here.
Sacred Activism – This is an article I wrote for those young Muslims who are involved in social justice work and may come across ideologies, especially LGBTQ+ lifestyles, that contradict their faith teachings. How do we navigate that space? What are our limits and restrictions? Can we work with such groups on mutual issues or no? I did a video podcast with Imam Dawud Walid on this topic as well which is available on YoutTube.
Response from Dr. Yasir Qadhi – A booklet on transgenderism was being distributed to Muslim students at his son’s university so his son brought it home to show it to him. Dr. Qadhi responds to the arguments being made in that pamphlet.
Fatwa on Gender Dysphoria – Fatwa given by Darul Qasim on gender dysphoria. It was given in response to the following questions: Would I be considered a male because of my brain, a female because of my genitals, or intersex because of the incongruence between the two? Would I be allowed to live as the opposite sex and seek HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy) and surgery? If I am not allowed to transition, would it be permissible for me to have my friends and family use male pronouns for me in private, or for me to use a chest binder?
When the State Comes for Your Kids – An essay by Abigail Shrier on how some U.S. states are changing laws in a way that they can come after your kids under 18 and take them away if you do not “affirm” their chosen gender even if they have a history of mental illness! They even permit sex change surgeries without parental consent as long as the child wants it.
The LGBTQ Movement – This is a discussion by Dr. Yasir Qadhi on the background of the movement, pronouns, gender fluidity, current conception, and the harms it has for the Muslim community.
Pitfalls of Engaging in Secular Liberal Politics & Activism – In this candid podcast of the Blood Brothers Podcast, Dilly Hussain speaks with Mobeen Vaid on the topic of Muslim groups unconditionally aligning themselves with the left and its negative repercussions. In addition, I would also recommend this discussion by Imam Marc Manley which is critiques ‘wokeness’.
One Contemporary Issues and Shar’i Perspectives – This is part I of a 2-episode series with Sh. Mustafa Umar addressing contemporary issues and Shar’i perspectives related to same-sex attractions and gender identity issues. How can parents, family members and friends support and embrace individuals with same-sex attractions and/or gender dysphoria without compromising their values and Deen? How do we deal with men or women in our families/circle of friends who have “come out” as part of the LGBT community and are living the lifestyle? From an Islamic legal perspective, what are the punishments of same-sex sexual behaviors and some of the common misconceptions surrounding that? Do same-sex sexual acts, the declaration of such acts as halal, or being in a same-sex marriage put one out of the fold of Islam? These and other relevant questions are explored in this episode. You can listen to part II here.
Muslims and LGBT Activism – Mobeen Vaid discusses the rise of LGBT in the West and its influence on the Muslim community.
Gender Roles – Dr. Yasir Qadhi discusses the issue of gender roles in Islam.
Last Stand Against Woke Liberalism – Dr. Ali Ataie discusses the weakness of the new postmodern woke movement.
How Muslim Families Can Navigate Pride Month – Islam recognizes the individual rights of every Muslim and gives high regard to the preservation of one’s dignity. That’s a fact that cannot be disregarded. But for a long time now, the Muslim community has tiptoed around the topic of homosexuality. The materials available are either outdated or too generic which results in further confusion and misinterpretation. Is homosexuality a sin? Is it an act against one’s faith? How do Muslim parents teach their kids about these various identities if they, themselves, are conflicted in their understanding of homosexuality in the Islamic context?
Pride in Islam? – Dr. Tahir Wyatt discusses dealing with LGBT lobby and their quest to normalize the abnormal.
Islamic rulings on transgenderism – Dr. Yasir Qadhi discusses rulings related to gender dysphoria, transgenderism, and how to deal with cases of this nature in accordance to Islamic law.
Islam and LGBTQ – A detailed discussion on the topic of LGBTQ from various Muslim academics and speakers.
Talking to Our Children About Gender and LGBT – A detailed discussion on the topic by Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Mobeen Vaid, and Dr. Carl Sharif El-Tobgui.
Other resources:
I am a Pakistani-American Muslim blogger. I hold a B.S. in Information Technology and a B.A. in Islamic Studies. I am also a follower and a student of the Hanbali school of Islamic law. Read more