Islam provides set of rules for Muslims to follow in their individual, family and social lives. The rulings in regards to liable people can be listed under five main categories: Wujub (obligatory) Nadb (Recommended) Haram (unlawful), Makruh (disliked) and Mubah (permissible). Hanafi scholars divide wujub into two sub-categories as Fard (definite obligatory) and Wajib (speculative obligatory), also Makruh (dislike) into two sub-category as Tahriman Makruh and Tanzihan Makruh. All rulings related to acts of liable people is under one of these categories. The authority which makes something halal (lawful) and others haram (unlawful) completely belongs to Allah, the Lawgiver (Shari). If Allah declares something as Haram no one has authority to say opposite. Similarly, if Allah explains the ruling for something as Halal no one can change its ruling. After this introduction I will try to answer the question;
In the Qur’an Allah mentions some prophets and their people. One of the prophets mentioned in the Qur’an is Lot. His story with his people mentioned in several places in the Qur’an, one of them is as follows;
And (remember) Lot (Lut), when he said to his people : “Do you commit an indecency such as no people in all the world have ever done before
you? You come to men with lust in place of women. You are a people committing excesses and wasteful (of your God-given faculties).” But his people’s response was only that they said (to one another): “Banish them from your settlement, for they are a few persons who make themselves out to be pure! Then We saved Lot and his household (who left the land upon Our command) except his wife, who was among those who stayed behind. And We rained a destructive rain (of stones) upon them (those who stayed behind). Then, look, how was the outcome for the criminals committed to accumulating sins.” (the Qur’an, 7: 80-84)
As it is clearly stated in the Qur’an, Allah declared same sex relations unlawful, so, same sex marriage is not permissible in Islam, there is no doubt about it. However, there is one point that needs to be cleared here. Islam prohibited many acts besides same sex relations and called the perpetrator of such acts as sinners but not as apostates, infidels or unbelievers. If people who commit such acts are not Muslims there is nothing we can say to them for they do not believe in Islam. Moreover, Muslims cannot harm them due to their sins. They have to be respectful to the law that belongs to the country in which they live in. Moreover, Muslims should have good relations with non-Muslims regardless of their sins, mistakes and shortcomings. Indeed, Allah sent His Prophet Lot to people who were practicing same sex relations. Prophets are the best among people and Allah sent one of His best servants to people who were committing sins due to His compassion and mercy towards humanity. When they resorted violence, transgression, cruelty and oppression towards Lot and Believers Allah punished them. It can be said that, the effective cause which brought punishment upon the people of Lot was their transgression, oppression and cruelty towards Lot and Believers. In other words, if the people of Lot did not oppress Lot and Believers Allah may not punish them in this world. We do not know if Allah forgives them in the Afterlife or punishes them. Moreover, the Prophet Lot and Believers did not try to punish the people who were committing sins. This indicates that Believers should treat people kindly in spite they commit sins. They should represent the beauty of Islam in their lives in the best way as much as they can. Thus, Muslims who meet people who are practicing same sex relations should not insult them, not humiliate them or not harm them in any way. Rather, they should pray for those people who commit sins. Allah gave people freewill and let them to choose their own way of life. We need to respect to the decisions of people in spite we do not like those acts. If some people commits sins, it is up to Allah, if He wills He punishes and if He wills He forgives. Allah created all human beings. He will judge among them in the Afterlife. Although as Muslims we do not approve certain acts for Allah prohibited them we should love all human beings due to their Creator. We should treat all human beings equally without any prejudice.
Muslims who live in western countries meet this type of problems and they do not know how to deal with them. First of all, all human beings deserve respect, love, mercy and care. If some people do not believe in Islam or do not accept Islamic manners it is not our job to force people to accept them. There is no compulsory in religion. Everyone is free to choose their own lifestyle. If some people choose same sex marriage with their own freewill it is their decision in spite it is not acceptable by Islam. In the western countries such as America and Australia the law permits same sex marriage. Although Muslims do not approve the act they should respect the law. Indeed, western countries provides many rights to Muslims to practice their religion freely. Some biased people hate Islam and Muslims but the law recognizes Muslims’ rights and protects their dignity. If we enjoy our freedom and practice our religion freely in America and in other western countries this is because of the law and democracy, thus, we should be thankful to them. we should work very hard to contribute the development of the country as a way of showing our gratitude and thankfulness.
In short, we must respect the law, observe everyone’s right and give everyone their due right. When dealing with people who practice same sex marriage we should deal with them kindly in spite the act they practice is not permissible in Islam.