Homosexuality in the Islamic World | Al Muqaddimah

Summary

In this video, Syawish from *Al Muqaddimah* delves into the complex history of homosexuality in the Islamic world. While the Quran and Islamic scholars have traditionally prohibited homosexual acts, historical evidence reveals that homosexuality was often practiced secretly, particularly among rulers and in Sufi traditions. Poets like Rumi and Hafiz incorporated homoerotic themes, and social norms allowed same-sex relationships, though often between individuals of different social classes. However, with the rise of conservative movements and foreign influence in the 19th and 20th centuries, attitudes toward homosexuality became increasingly repressive, leading to a cultural shift where such behaviors were hidden and criminalized.

Takeaways

• 😀 Homosexuality in the Islamic World was historically practiced but never fully accepted, often becoming an open secret despite religious prohibitions.
• 😀 In medieval Islamic societies, there was no fixed sexual identity, and homosexual acts did not define an individual's identity, making room for fluid expressions of sexuality.
• 😀 Poetic and literary traditions in the Islamic World, especially in Sufi poetry, often featured homoerotic themes, though these were not always sexual in nature.
• 😀 Monarchs like Abbasid Caliph al-Amin and Cordoban Caliph al-Hakam II had documented preferences for men, with some taking male lovers openly.
• 😀 Relationships between people of different social classes, such as between monarchs and their slaves or courtiers, were common, reflecting a hierarchical social structure.
• 😀 The concept of Shahidbaazi in Sufism involved loving God's creations, often interpreted as beautiful men or boys, though it was debated whether this love was sexual.
• 😀 Islamic society generally tolerated homosexuality in private, where acts were less likely to be prosecuted without witnesses, creating an environment where same-sex relationships were allowed but unspoken.
• 😀 The idea that homosexual love was natural but to be resisted in piety was supported by some scholars, such as Ibn Hazm, who acknowledged its presence in Islamic society but urged avoidance.
• 😀 Female homosexuality was less commonly mentioned in Islamic sources, though there were reports of women taking lovers in spaces like bathhouses or in poetic expressions, particularly in the Ottoman Empire.
• 😀 The shift toward criminalization and repression of homosexuality in the Islamic World occurred in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, influenced by foreign rule, Islamic reform movements, and Victorian moral values.

Q & A

How was homosexuality viewed in the Islamic world historically?

Historically, homosexuality was forbidden in Islam according to religious texts, but it was still practiced and often regarded as an open secret. While not openly accepted, homosexual acts occurred without contributing to one's sexual identity. The social taboo existed, but the acts were often tolerated in private, especially among elites.

Why does the script mention that homosexuality was never fully 'allowed' but became an 'open secret'?

The phrase 'open secret' refers to the fact that although homosexual acts were forbidden by Islamic teachings, they were often practiced in private, particularly among monarchs, courtiers, and other elites. Despite the official stance, these relationships were sometimes tacitly accepted or overlooked, especially when they didn’t challenge the social order.

What does the video say about the role of Islamic philosophers like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in understanding homosexuality?

Ibn Sina (Avicenna) is noted for considering homosexuality as a state of being rather than just an act. However, he viewed it as an 'incurable disease,' reflecting a medicalized and somewhat negative perspective on the issue in early Islamic thought.

How did the practice of homosexuality intersect with social class in the Islamic world?

Homosexual relationships in the Islamic world were typically not between equals in terms of social class. They were usually between monarchs and their servants or slaves, with a power imbalance often present. Relationships between two people of similar social status were rare.

How did Sufi poetry relate to homosexuality, and how is it often interpreted?

Sufi poetry frequently contains themes of love between men, which can be interpreted as either platonic or romantic. While some modern interpretations suggest sexual connotations, it's important to note that Sufis were often more concerned with divine love, and references to male lovers could symbolically represent devotion to God, rather than literal romantic relationships.

What is Shahidbaazi, and how did it relate to views on male beauty in the Islamic world?

Shahidbaazi is a concept in which love for a beautiful man or boy could be seen as a form of devotion to God. It represented an idealization of male beauty, which was prevalent in some Sufi traditions. Although not explicitly advocating for sexual relationships, it created a cultural space where admiration of young men was seen as part of spiritual expression.

Why was there a lack of focus on female homosexuality in the Islamic world?

While male homosexuality was relatively common and documented in historical sources, female homosexuality was less discussed. Few records exist about lesbian relationships, and those that do are often brief or indirect. Some accounts, like those of women in Ottoman bathhouses or poets writing about female lovers, indicate that same-sex female relationships did exist but were less visible or discussed.

How did the colonial period influence Islamic attitudes toward homosexuality?

The colonial period significantly impacted Islamic views on homosexuality. As many parts of the Islamic world came under foreign rule, particularly Western powers, Islamic scholars began to focus on the idea that the decline in moral and social norms was linked to deviation from God's path. This led to the rise of reformist movements that pushed for stricter punishments for homosexuality, influenced in part by Victorian attitudes toward sexuality.

What role did Greek philosophy play in the normalization of homosexuality in the Islamic world?

Greek philosophy, which often featured homoerotic themes, had a significant influence on Islamic intellectual traditions. The study of Greek works, particularly in poetry and philosophy, helped normalize the idea of love between men in Islamic poetry, gradually shifting from metaphors involving female lovers to those involving male lovers.

How did the laws in the Ottoman Empire regarding homosexuality evolve?

While it’s commonly thought that the Ottoman Empire decriminalized homosexual acts in 1858, the truth is that homosexual acts were already criminalized under Suleiman the Magnificent's law code, though the punishment was typically a fine. The confusion stems from the fact that the 1858 penal code only addressed public acts of indecency, not private ones. Thus, private homosexual acts were tolerated in practice, as long as they weren't publicly visible.