Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I am a practicing Muslim, and I have love for the same gender in my heart. I love her, kiss her, hug her, in short, we do everything that couples do except have intercourse. I want to know about the limitations of same-gender interaction. Can we wear immodest clothes in front of each other for the sake of the fulfillment of our desire to look at ourselves in that dress because we can’t wear it outside?

Answer

Thank you for your question. Homosexual behavior is not allowed in Islam, and I pray that you gather the courage to cease your activities with her, for the sake of Allah, in sha Allah, your reward will be tremendous.

Interaction

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “What I fear most from my Umma is the behavior of the people of Lut.” [Tirmidhi] It is well-known that the people of Lut committed the crime of homosexuality, and they are mentioned in the Quran: “Why do you men lust after fellow men, leaving the wives that your Lord has created for you? In fact, you are a transgressing people.” [Quran, 26:166]

I encourage you to treat your friend like a friend, and not be romantic with her in any way. You must stop hugging, kissing, and touching her because it is stimulating desire, and instead, you must reduce your desires. Dressing immodestly with her at home is out of the question, as it is also sinful. When the time is right, I urge you to consider marriage. Until then, it will bring much good and blessings to your life to learn about your religion, renew your dedication to your worship, and keep the company of the God-fearing.

I recommend that you say this du`a from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) daily:

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.