HAVE WE CONVINIENTLY FORGOTTEN ALLAH’S WARNING, DECREE AND COMMANDMENT IN THE STORY OF LOT?

I sometimes wonder with amazement - DSAI’s sodomy investigation seemed to have been treated lightly while the Opposition members could still regard him as a PM-in-waiting irrespective of the decision of that Federal Court of Appeal in 2004 were had been convinced, from evidence presented, that he was involved in homosexual actives.

It then bothers me that the wife of PKR’s right hand man had been proven sexual relations with DSAI via DNA evidence. It further bothers me that Azmin Ali and DSAI’s wife as head of the opposition coalition, the Pakatan Rakyat, should be aware of DSAI acute repugnant sexual behaviour and yet they both robustly support DSAI’s political ambitions to lead our Muslim nation. Then there are some supposedly staunch Muslims amongst the Opposition and members of the public who accuse the Government of political conspiracy, they seemed to care little about his already established sexual background, rather they would insist on eye witness proof of such wrong doing or a verdict from a criminal court.

While there could be several reasons for such support for DSAI against his sodomy investigation notably under the pretext of the human rights’ slogan of “rights to privacy”. I had to convince myself of my conservatism with regard to sodomy I have been upholding; as I remember I was taught never use the “back hole” way, otherwise Allah never be forgive me. I took time and look out for published articles by reputable Muslim scholars on what Allah has prescribed regarding the sin called sodomy re homosexuality.

Among my books, I found one on “Stories of the Prophets” by Imam Imaduddin Abul-Fida Ismail Ibn Kathir Ad-Damishqi 700-774 H, published by Darussalam, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Rendered by Rashad Ahmad Azami.

In sharing a reminder to my Muslim brothers and sisters on the sin called sodomy and homosexuality, I set out extracts from the said book which gives a very clear insight

1. Chapter 7 – The Story of LOT (PBUH)

Prophet Lot was the nephew of the Prophet Abraham (PBUH),

Lot went to the city of Sodom after Abraham had asked him to do so. It was the main city of the region with suburbs and satellite villages. Its people were the most immoral and insolent nature. They practised homosexuality first ever in human history.

Lot called them to heed Allah’s Command and to worship Him Alone and forbade them from this unnatural practice and abhorring act. But they ignored and rejected Lot’s appeal and continued in their erroneous indecency. As a result, Allah destroyed them by a severe punishment.

Allah says in Surat Al-A’raf:
“And (We sent) Lot, when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit such indecency as never any being in all the world has committed before you? You indeed approach men lustfully instead of women; indeed you are a people who are transgressors.’ And the only answer his people gave was they said ‘Expel them out of your town; surely they are a people who want to be pure’. So We rescued him and his family, except his wife, she was one of those who were destroyed. And We rained upon them a rain, then behold how was the end of the sinners” (7:80-84)

He also says in Surat Hud:
“Our angels came to Abraham with glad tidings. They said: ‘Peace’. He said ‘Peace’ and soon he brought a roasted calf. When he saw their hands not extending towards the meal, he deemed it strange and felt afraid of them. They said: ‘Fear not! We have been sent to the people of Lot’. And his wife was standing by and she laughed, then we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and from him of Jacob. She said: ‘What wonder! How shall I bear a child now that I am an old woman and my husband is an old man? That would indeed be an unusual thing. (11:69-72)

“They said: ‘Do you wonder at Allah’s Decree? The Mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you O family of Abraham!’ Surely He is Worthy of all praise and Full of all glory. So when the fear had passed from the mind of Abraham, and glad tidings came to him, he began to plead with Us for the people of Lot, Surely, Abraham was forbearing, compassionate, penitent. ‘O Abraham! Relinquish this, the Decree of your Lord has gone forth, and surely, there is coming a chastisement upon them which cannot be turned back;” (11.73-76)

“And when Our angels came to Lot, he was aggrieved and felt unable to protect them, and he said: ‘This is a distressful day.’ And his people came to him, rushing towards them, and they were accustomed to shameful deeds. He said: ‘O my people! Here are my daughters; they are purer for you (if you marry them). So fear Allah and do not disgrace me about my guests. Is there not a single man among you right minded?’ They said: We know that we have no desire towards your daughters, and you know what we desire.’ He said: ‘Would that I had the power to set you right, or I could find some strong support for refuge’.” (11:77-80)

“The angels said: ‘O Lot! We are messengers of your Lord; by no means shall they reach you. So depart from here with your family, late in the night and let not anyone of you turn around, except your wife, surely, what befalls them will befall her. Morning is their appointed time (for their destruction), is not the morning almost nigh?!’ When Our Command came to pass, We turned the habitation upside down, and rained upon them brimstones, hard as baked clay, layer on layer. Each one assigned from your Lord, and never from evildoers.”

And Allah said in Surat Al-Hijr:
“And inform them about the guests of Abraham, when they entered before him and said: Peace’. He said: We feel afraid of you.’ They said: Fear not, we give you glad tidings of a knowledgeable son.’ He said: ‘Do you give me glad tidings after my old age? What glad tidings is this?’ They said: ‘we gave you glad tidings in truth, so do not be among those who despair.’ He said: ‘And who despairs of the Mercy of His Lord except those who have gone astray?’ Abraham said: ‘What concern has brought you here, O you messengers?’ They said: ‘We are sent to a sinful people, except the followers of Lot, we shall certainly save them all. Except his wife, it has been decreed that she shall be of those who stay behind’.”

“And when the messengers came to the followers of Lot, he said: ‘You are a people not known to me!’ They said: ‘We have come to accomplish that which they dispute. And we have come to you with the Truth, and most certainly we speak truly. So depart with your family in the late hours of the night, and you follow behind them, and let not anyone look back, and go to where you are commanded.’ And We decreed him this command that the last remnant of those should be destroyed in the morning.” (15:61-66)

“And the people of the city came in joy. Lot said: ‘These are my guests, do not disgrace me. And fear Allah, and do not put me to shame.’ They said: ‘Have we not forbidden you to plead for the people?’ He said: ‘There are my daughters (to marry), if you are intent.’ By your life (O ProphetI! They wander blindly I their intoxication. And the thunderous Cry seized them at sunrise, and We turned it upside down, and rained upon them brimstones of baked clay. Surely, in this are signs for those who reflect upon events. And the city is right on a high-road. And surely there is a sign in this for those who believe.” (15:67-77)

And it is said in Surat Ash-Shu’ara:

“The people of Lot disbelieved the Messengers, when their brother Lot said to them: ‘Will you fear Allah? I am for you a faithful Messenger. So fear Allah and obey me. And I do not ask you any reward for it, surely my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds. Of all the creatures in the world, do you approach males? And leave those whom Allah has created for you as your mates? But you are a transgressing people.’ They said: ‘O Lot! If you do not desist, you shall surely be expelled.’ He said: I surely detest what you do’.” (26.160-168)

“My Lord! Rescue me and my family from what they are doing.’ So We rescued him and his family all together, except an old woman who was among those who stayed behind. Then We destroyed the others. And we rained upon them a rain, and evil was the rain of those were warned. Surely, there is a sign in this, but most of them are not believers. Indeed, your Lord is the All-Mighty, the All Merciful.” (26:169-175)

The story in Surat An-Naml is in these words:
“And Lot when he said to his people: Do you commit abomination while you are aware? Do you approach men rather than women? But you are a most ignorant people.’ The only answer his people gave was: ‘Expel the family of Lot from your town; they are people clean and pure!’ So we rescued him and his family, except his wife, We ordained that she should be of those who stayed behind. And we rained down on them a rain, and evil indeed was the rain of those who were warned.” (27:54-58)

The Qur’an talks about his people further in Surat Al-‘Ankbut:
“And Lot when he sad to his people: ‘Indeed, you commit such abomination as none have ever committed before of the worlds, And you approach males, and cut off the highway, and you practise indecency even in your assemblies.’ But the answer of his people was: Bring upon us the chastisement of God, if you are truthful!’ He said: ‘My Lord! Help me against these corrupters.’ And when Our messengers came to Abraham with glad tidings, they said: ‘We are to destroy the people of this town, sure, they are evildoers’.” (29:28-31)

“He said ‘But Lot is therein.’ They said: ‘We are well aware of who is there, we shall save him and his family, she shall be of those who stay behind.’ And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was aggrieved and felt powerless on their behalf, but they said: ‘Do not fear nor grieve, we shall save you and your family, except your wife, she shall be of those who shall stay behind. We shall bring down upon the people in this town torment from the sky for the wickedness.’ And we have left a clear sign of it for people who possess understanding.” (29:32-35)

And it said in Surat As-Saffat:

‘And Lot was also one of the Messengers, when we rescued him and his family all together except an old woman who was among those left behind. Then We destroyed the others. And indeed you pass by the day, and by night, will you not understand?!” (37:133-138)


In Surat Adh-Dhariyat, the Qur’an says about them:
“He said: ‘On what matter have you been sent? They said: ‘We have been sent to a sinning people. So We can send down upon them stones of clay, marked by your Lord for the wanton.’ Then we evacuated the believers whom were therein, but We not therein any but one Muslim household. And We left therein a sign for those who fear a painful chastisement.” (51:31-37)

And lastly, it is said in Surat Al-Qamar
“The people of Lot rejected the warning. Surely, We sent against them a storm of stones, except the family of Lot, We saved them at early dawn, as a blessing from Us. Thus do We reward those who are thankful. And he warned them of Our punishment, but they disputed the warnings. And they even sought to make proper advances towards his guests, but We blinded their eyes. So taste My punishment and My warnings. And indeed, an abiding chastisement seized them by the morning. So taste My punishment and My warnings! And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand. Is there any who will receive admonition?!” (54: 33-46)


2. The Punishment
Some scholars hold the opinion that homosexual should be stoned, whether he was married or not. This is also the opinion of Iman Shafi’i and others.

They also supported their opinion with the Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad from Ibn’ Abbas that the Prophet (PHUH) said:

“WHOEVER YOU FIND COMMITTING THE ACT OF THE PEOPLE OF LOT, THEN YOU SHOULD KILL THEM BOTH, THE ONE WHO DID IT AND THE ONE WITH WHOM HE DID IT (BALIGH Al-MARDAM).

The opinion of Abu Hanafiah is that whoever practiced it, should be thrown from top of a hill, and then to be stoned, as Allah said “And never far from the evildoers.’ (11:83).

3. Malaysia a free and liberal Society
Malaysia has indeed advanced and developed well among the Muslim countries. The bulk of its population are considered religiously conservative, however the advance of technology in particular the media and internet accessibility threatens it. The latest movies and TV programmes, especially those sourced from Hollywood displays much lewdness and vulgarity. The internet gives easy access to phonographic materials and triple X movies which blatantly promotes anal sex.

Most international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty also ruled that such laws against homosexuality/ sodomy violated the right to privacy guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights International, condemn laws that make homosexual relations between consenting adults a crime. In US, the world’s greatest proponent of freedom and liberty rules that private sexual conduct is protected by the liberty rights implicit in the due process clause of the United States Constitution. The laws in most US states relating to homosexuality are no longer enforced, or were very selectively enforced.

Thus while the influence of this international “right to privacy” permeates into our political and social structure, some of local population forget while others capitalizes for worldly gains in the DSAI sodomy issue, parroting the west.

To me, the issue of sodomy re homosexuality should never be taken lightly lest we forget the story of Lot and Allah’s many warning, decrees and commandments to us. So unforgivable is this sin that no one practising such derogatory sexual act can ever be a leader of a Muslim nation; the “right of privacy” has no relevance or the outcome of this second case to convict since DSAI has already been proven to have practiced sodomy / homosexual activities both overseas and locally. DSAI can say this is not 1998 but Allah has spoken so clearly in the numerous Surahs and Allah knows best.