(Original Source: http://power-dawah.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-does-islam-say-about-homosexuality.html )

Islam recognizes various genetically-based sexualities other than the norm, such as hermaphroditism/androgyny (khunutha) = having the sexual organs of both the male and the female. There are rules that apply for the role of such individuals in the society just as for others.

Islam also recognizes “epicenes”, belonging to one sex physically but having characteristics of the other, or of neither; e.g. effeminate men or manly women.

What Islam rejects is the social normalization of these categories and their invasion of the universally shared values pertaining to the couple and the family.

“Gad advocacy” in the West is an attempt to equalize between all statues as morally indifferent, equally valid under the law, equally worthy of respect, and equally deserving of benefit and entitled to a place in the sun whether in subtle ways or as exhibitionistic and aggressive proselytism in the public space including schools. And the supposed keepers of faith are all caving in to the chime of “gay rights.”

Islam provides the only unchanging moral compass that is being lost slowly but surely by all the other communities, as conservative as they try to be over the values they once cherished.

Islam teaches that homosexual acts are sinful and punishable by God. This teaching comes not from human beings, but from the Creator of all humans. God tells us in His own words how He punished the people of Lot for their homosexual behaviour.

The story of prophet Lot, on whom be peace, finds mention in several Qur'anic passages, especially Chapter 26:160-175 which reads:

"The people of Lut rejected the apostles. Behold, their brother Lut said to them: "Will ye not fear (God)? "I am to you an apostle worthy of all trust. "So fear God and obey me. "No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the lord of the Worlds. "Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, "And leave those whom God has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!" They said: "If thou desist not, O Lut! thou wilt assuredly be cast out!"

He said: "I do detest your doings." "O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!" So We delivered him and his family,- all Except an old woman who lingered behind. But the rest We destroyed utterly. We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)! Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might Most Merciful."

From these passages we learn that God saved Lot and the righteous ones of his family, and rained on the rest a shower of brimstone, so they were utterly destroyed. We also see that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were not held in any respect by God but rather were destroyed, as all three Abrahamic faiths say. God mentions this in the Quran to serve as a warning to anyone who dares to repeat such acts.

There are also other verses in the Quran which mention this, such as in Chapter 7, verse 80-81, God says:

"We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: "Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For ye practise your lusts on men in preference to women : ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds."

According to Ibn Kathir's tafsir (exegesis), the above verses show that homosexuality was unknown to humanity until the men of Prophet Lut's tribe manifested this sin by approaching men instead of women. The Prophet, Lut, peace be upon him, went on to express his astonishment that the men of his tribe had forsaken their natural mates, females, to practice their lusts with males. The commentary goes on to describe this practice as ignorance and transgressing the limits.

Muslim believe that every human action leads to consequences. Good actions entail good results, and evil actions entail evil consequences. Some of these consequences may not become known for many years after a certain action. The consequences of some actions will become manifest only after death when one enters a new, everlasting life.... A common mistake among humans is that if they don't see any negative consequences for their actions they consider it harmless. Human experience has taught us that a source of superior knowledge can be of tremendous benefit to humans.... God, the source of all knowledge, warns us of His punishment if people perpetrate homosexual acts. Let us pay attention and learn the easy way.

Some will say that a person may be born with homosexual tendencies. This is really just a way to give in to their desires without addressing the underlying causes of their behaviour. People when they are young can be exposed to something that predisposes them towards homosexuality, so we must take these environmental factors (which can predispose someone to certain types of behaviours) into account.

My (Yaqub's) addition: [The study of nature clearly shows that the reason for sex is to reproduce the species. Some supporters of homosexuality will say that it is found in other species (such as in some species of birds and mammals) and is therefore natural and acceptable. If we go by this understanding, then wouldn’t it be ok for humans to eat their own offspring (such being the case in some spiders and many fish species)? Clearly this type of behaviour would not be accepted.

Back my first point (about sex and reproduction). If one were to place a group of homosexuals in a secluded place without contact to the outside world, let’s say an Island, with everything needed to live (food, shelter, etc). If you came back after, let’s say, 100 years, there would be none of the homosexuals alive. So from this wouldn’t it be more logical to conclude that it is going against nature to be homosexual? It goes against the natural preservation of the species.]

Even if we concede that there might be a genetic component to homosexuality, in the same way that some alcoholics have genes that predispose them to alcoholism, this doesn't mean that one has to give in to these desires. It is possible that someone might feel that they have a desire to kill someone, steal, set fire to something, or abuse children. Does that mean they should act on these feelings because they can't help it? Certainly not!

I will also add that God, the Exalted, has stated quite emphatically in the Quran that homosexuality is a sin. If homosexuality were something natural and congenital (meaning that you're born with it), then Allah would not have made it a sin and destroyed the people of Lut (peace be upon him) for it.

We say that everyone is a free agent. God lays before us two paths and has given us knowledge of where these paths lead. One is the path to which the devil calls us. We must avoid that. One is the path leading to paradise. We must stick to that one. Everyone experiences evil prompting from time to time. We must resist those with all our might. If one feels a tendency to do something that God prohibits, he or she should seek help from a community of loving, caring, believers who would understand his or her difficulty and help him or her overcome it.

Guarding one's sexuality from unlawful sexual intercourse is the duty of every Muslim. If it is unlawful for a man and woman to have sexual intercourse outside of marriage, then it is even more egregious for a man to approach another man, or a woman to approach another woman.

The purpose of life is to surrender ourselves to God Most High. Our desires must be in accordance with Sacred Law. We do not fashion law to follow our desires. Therefore, issues such as gay marriage, are completely antithetical to both the letter and the spirit of Sacred Law, which defines marriage as being between one and one woman. The only exception to this provision is the allowance for a man to marry up to four women, with the condition that he be able to treat them all equally.

A common ploy of the devil is to convince people that they cannot avoid sin. Then they do not even try. But God promises that the devil can have no lasting power over those who sincerely seek God (see Qur'an 15:42)

Our bodies are given to us in trust from God. One should not use his or her body contrary to the user guide provided by its Maker. Consenting adults also need God's consent.

Finally, as far as associating with homosexuals is concerned: As Muslims living in Western societies, we recognize that there is a need to interact with many different people. With the example of the Prophet, God bless him and give him peace, before us, we know that we are required to deal with people with justice, compassion, and dignity. We avoid insulting or abusing homosexuals. And we also exercise caution about who we take as close friends. The basis for close friendships in Islam is the existence of God-fearingness and righteousness. Thus, a Muslim is courteous in his dealings with non-Muslims, but also realizes that close companionships are reserved for those who are upright in their beliefs and character.