Does Believing Homosexuality Exists in Paradise Constitute Disbelief?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Does believing that homosexuality may be permitted in Paradise constitute disbelief, or is it merely sinful?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Believing that homosexuality may be permitted in Paradise does not, in itself, constitute disbelief (kufr). However, such a belief is inappropriate and reflects a misunderstanding of the nature of Paradise as described in Islamic teachings.
In Paradise, Allah removes all impure and unlawful desires from the hearts of believers. The Quran states,
“Give good news (O Prophet) to those who believe and do good that they will have Gardens under which rivers flow. Whenever provided with fruit, they will say, ‘This is what we were given before,’ for they will be served fruit that looks similar (but tastes different). They will have pure spouses, and they will be there forever.” [Quran, 2:25]
This indicates that in Paradise, believers will only desire that which is pure and pleasing to Allah. Any unlawful inclinations present in this world will be purified, and the inhabitants of Paradise will experience complete contentment without any sense of deprivation or wrongdoing.
It is essential to understand that the pleasures of Paradise are beyond human comprehension and are free from any form of impurity or sin.
Allah (Most High) says,
“There they will never hear any idle or sinful talk, only good and virtuous speech. [Quran, 56:25-26]
A Heartfelt Counsel
Allah is All-knowing, and one cannot imagine how much pleasure and joy are in store for the believer who holds back for His sake. In the meantime, one should attach themselves to Allah as much as possible and find solace in knowing that suffering is of many types. Yet, forbearance and gratitude only bring about the Pleasure of Allah and will be a formidable light for the person on the Day of Judgement, insha’Allah.
May Allah grant you strength, patience, and the ultimate reward of His eternal pleasure.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
