Homosexuality is a sin punishable by death, according to the Quran, hadith, and Islamic Law.
Within many Islamic societies, such a stance on homosexuality is unequivocal: It is a major sin with no room for reinterpretation. The Australian National Imams Council, representing over 200 imams in a country that prides itself on its liberalism, asserts that homosexuality is a forbidden action and anyone who partakes in it is a disobedient servant to God. Their view represents the rule rather than exception among Islamic scholars and institutions.
The ramifications of such doctrinal positions are profound. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, governed by strict interpretations of Islamic law, same-sex relations are punishable by penalties up to and including death. These legal frameworks are not theoretical; they are actively enforced, creating environments in which LGBTQ+ individuals live under constant threat.
The dangers extend beyond legal repercussions. In February 2025, assailants shot Imam Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam, in Gqeberha, South Africa. Hendricks had established a mosque intended as a haven for LGBTQ+ Muslims, challenging prevailing norms and advocating for inclusivity. His assassination underscores the perils faced by those who attempt to reconcile their faith with their sexual identity.
In countries such as Saudi Arabia, governed by strict interpretations of Islamic law, same-sex relations are punishable by penalties up to and including death.
While some argue for a re-examination of Islamic teachings on same-sex relationships, suggesting that traditional interpretations may be misinformed or contextually outdated, these perspectives remain marginal within the broader Muslim community. The Yaqeen Institute, for example, maintains that Islam’s prohibition of homosexual acts is categorical, emphasizing that its teachings on gender relations and sexual norms are foundational and inseparable from belief in God and His revelation.
Efforts to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ Muslims, such as the establishment of Unity Mosques in various U.S. cities by Muslims for Progressive Values, seek to challenge prevailing narratives. However, these initiatives often face significant opposition and are not widely accepted within mainstream Islamic discourse.
The systemic exclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within Islamic contexts is not merely a matter of theological debate; it has tangible, often devastating, consequences. The prevailing interpretations of Islamic texts have fostered environments in which LGBTQ+ individuals are marginalized, criminalized, and, in some cases, targeted for violence. The murder of Imam Hendricks reflects the risks faced by those who challenge entrenched norms.
Across many Muslim-majority countries, legal codes and political authorities criminalize same-sex relations, often accompanied by social stigmatization, violence, and state-sanctioned persecution. In several Arab states, the criminalization of homosexuality is embedded in penal codes derived from colonial-era laws, classical Islamic jurisprudence, or modern shari’a-inspired legislation.
In Saudi Arabia, for example, the legal system explicitly punishes homosexual acts with death, flogging, or imprisonment. Human rights organizations document cases of arrests and harsh sentences targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, reinforcing an atmosphere of fear and invisibility.
In 2024, the United Nations expanded its investigations into human rights violations in Iran, including those affecting LGBTQ+ individuals.
Similarly, Iran imposes the death penalty for sodomy. There are numerous reports of crackdowns on perceived homosexual activity. In 2024, the United Nations expanded its investigations into human rights violations in Iran, including those affecting LGBTQ+ individuals. The U.N.’s fact-finding mission found that gross violations of human rights, some amounting to crimes against humanity, are ongoing, and recommended continued investigations into the country’s human rights situation.
In Egypt, homosexuality is not explicitly outlawed, but authorities prosecute LGBTQ+ people under vague charges such as “debauchery” and “immorality.” Police raids on private gatherings and arrests of activists are frequent.
The Palestinian territories present a complex picture: While Israel recognizes LGBTQ+ rights legally and socially, including allowing Pride events and protecting against discrimination, Palestinian society and leadership maintain conservative positions. The Hamas-governed Gaza Strip criminalizes homosexual acts with imprisonment or death. There are numerous cases of extrajudicial violence against suspected LGBTQ+ individuals.
Other countries such as Sudan, Yemen, and parts of North Africa continue to apply criminal penalties, often based on Islamic legal traditions fused with nationalist laws.
Governments rarely show tolerance or create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, whose rights are actively suppressed. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) provides extensive data on criminalization of LGBTQ+ acts in these countries. Religious leaders and institutions frequently issue statements condemning homosexuality, framing it as incompatible with Islamic values and societal morals.
Governments rarely show tolerance or create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people, whose rights are actively suppressed.
Such legal and social conditions contribute to a pattern of violence, discrimination, and marginalization. LGBTQ+ individuals in many Muslim-majority countries face threats not only from legal systems but also from family, communities, and extremist groups. Reports from international human rights organizations highlight cases of harassment, torture, and murder.
This confluence of state policies, religious decrees, and social hostility leaves few spaces within many Islamic societies where LGBTQ+ Muslims can live openly or claim protection. Attempts at religious reinterpretation or reform, while present, are often met with legal and social backlash.
The voices within the Muslim community who advocate for an inclusive understanding of Islam remain exceptions rather than the rule. The dominant narrative continues to be one of exclusion, with little room for LGBTQ+ individuals to live openly and authentically within their faith communities. Addressing this systemic issue requires not only theological re-evaluation but also a broader cultural shift toward acceptance and inclusion.
