Same-sex marriage is legally recognised in many countries, symbolising progress despite cultural and religious barriers. Views vary, balancing tradition with calls for inclusion.

Love Without Borders

Bin Careem

A same-sex marriage denotes a legal union of two same-gender individuals. Similar to heterosexual couples, it also bestows the same rights, deification, and advantages.

Marriage Equality and Challenges Around the World

37 countries have made strides towards marriage equality. Netherland was the first that legalised same-sex marriage in the year 2001. 

The years in which same-sex marriage became lawful across various nations:

Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Iceland (2010), Portugal (2010), Argentina (2010), Denmark (2012), Uruguay (2013), New Zealand (2013), France (2013), Brazil (2013), United Kingdom (2014), Luxembourg (2015), Ireland (2015), United States (2015), Greenland (2016), Colombia (2016), Malta (2017), Finland (2017), Australia (2017), Germany (2017), Austria (2019), Taiwan (2019), Costa Rica (2020), Slovenia (2022), Switzerland (2022), Cuba (2022), Chile (2022), Mexico (2022), Andorra (2023), Nepal (2023), Estonia (2024), Greece (2024). [

However, Same-sex marriage equality in developing countries is very complicated. It involves many cultural, religious, legal, and social challenges. These challenges vary significantly from one nation to another. Progress has been uneven, with substantial variations among areas and countries. While some nations have made historic steps forward, others maintain restrictive laws and social attitudes.

Key factors influencing Same-Sex Marriage

: Many developing countries inherited colonial-era laws that criminalize same-sex relationships, creating fundamental barriers to marriage equality

: Religious institutions often play a significant role in shaping public policy and social attitudes

: Traditional family structures and cultural norms can affect acceptance of marriage equality

In contrast to other religions, from the diktats of Islam marriage is both a contract and sacred union between a man and woman. Islamic teachings do not consider same-sex marriages.

This is a clear indication of the reality that Allah, in the beginning, made the most appropriate design of a man and a woman by His infinite Wisdom and Power. He then made arrangements that under that design countless men and countless women should be born along with their separate individual qualities in the right proportion. Thus, Marriage holds a significant place in Islam. It is also seen as a holy covenant, as it unites a man and a woman in a bond of mutual rights and responsibilities, love, and compassion.

According to the Qur’an, marital relationship is based upon companionship, love, and mercy, and the Hadiths elaborate on the respective conduct of a married couple. In conjunction, these two documents lay out the contracts that guide husbands and wives to work together as a team for a successful family life.

The Quran has directly stated the creation of pairs and male-female relationships.

وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوۡجَيۡنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰ

"And He created the pairs—male and female—"

وَمِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

"And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember." [Surah Zariyat, 51:49]

وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةًۭ وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

"And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect." [Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21]

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further elaborated on marriage through his sayings and actions:

إِذَا تَزَوَّجَ الْعَبْدُ فَقَدِ اسْتَكْمَلَ نِصْفَ الدِّينِ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ فِي النِّصْفِ الْبَاقِي

“When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of the religion; so, let him fear God regarding the remaining half.” [Mishkat al-Masabih 3096]

‏ أَكْمَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا وَخِيَارُكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ لِنِسَائِهِمْ خُلُقًا ‏

“The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi, 1162]

النِّكَاحُ مِنْ سُنَّتِي فَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِسُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي

“Marriage is part of my sunnah, and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me." [Sunan Ibn Majah, 1846]

The Narrative of Prophet Lut (AS) and Same-Sex Relationships

وَتَذَرُونَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمۡ رَبُّكُم مِّنۡ أَزۡوَٰجِكُمۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمٌ عَادُونَ

"Leaving aside those whom Allah has created for you as your mates. Nay, you are a people that has transgressed all limits.” [Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:166]

It is nonetheless a perennial point in the Islamic story of Prophet Lut (AS), which is commonly referenced in conversations on the topic of same-sex relationships. Islamic tradition holds that the people of the town of Prophet Lut (AS) — generally identified as Sodom and Gomorrah — were in all sorts of immoral doings, including same-sex relations. Allah sent Prophet Lut (AS) to bring his people back from the wrong path and to warn them of the consequences of their actions. In vain Prophet Lut (AS) tried to convince the people to give up this evil but they did not accept his call.

Their actions were considered a serious violation of the natural order and divine commandments. Consequently, the community received tremendous punishment as a lesson for following moral norms and means of divine conduct. This story led many to emphasize the importance of preserving moral values and the natural order established in Islam.

For Muslims, the story of Prophet Lut (AS) should be a reflection of the importance of staying within the boundaries set by Allah, as disobedience to God's command has dire consequences. It stresses the need to maintain the sanctity and worth of marriage and marital relationships as outlined by Shariah. Maintaining such relationships under Islamic teachings ensures that the family remains a strong and supportive foundation for all its members.

Traditional Islamic scholars have largely interpreted these texts as clear prohibitions against same-sex relationships and, by extension, same-sex marriage. The majority consensus among classical scholars is that marriage is a union exclusively between a man and a woman. This perspective is supported by various legal schools (madhabs) within Islam.

However, it is essential to recognize that interpretations can evolve. Some contemporary scholars and activists advocate for a more inclusive understanding of Islamic teachings. They argue that compassion, justice, and human dignity are core principles of Islam that should guide the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Muslims are not a monolith, and opinions on same-sex marriage vary widely within and between Muslim communities. Same-sex relationships remain illegal in many Muslim-majority states and pushing for LGBTQ+ rights can be met with considerable opposition. On the other hand, in more progressive Islamic communities, acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and their rights is on the rise.

However, some progressive organizations in the Muslim community are working towards making spaces more accepting for LGBTQ+ Muslims. Organizations, such as Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) and the Inclusive Mosque Initiative are committed to the practice of the faith by and for LGBTQ+ individuals without discrimination. These groups work tirelessly to demonstrate that Islam can indeed recognize and accept LGBTQ+ rights, and also that its very nature is one of mercy, compassion, and respect for all individuals. Their efforts challenge traditional views while also shaping the main narrative. They are looking to bring about an environment wherein everyone feels valued and respected in their places of worship.

The Islamic view on same-sex marriage is nuanced and multilayered. While many traditional interpretations stress the value of marriages between a man and a woman and the need to maintain strong families, others are turning to the principles of compassion and justice to practice a weighted marriage aligned with the principles they set. For many adherents, this insistence on preserving the natural order of male-female relationships is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the family unit as outlined in the Quran.

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