𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (467)

Overcoming Lesbianism (Sihāq) Question: A sister seeks advice concerning the matter of romantic affection between girls, which has become widespread in recent times. She also inquires: what is the ruling and the punishment for committing this sin (lesbian acts)? And how may one repent? For she repents, yet returns to the sin repeatedly, and seeks a means to be rid of it completely. They both regret their actions after committing the sin, and were not previously inclined toward such behaviour — so how should they act? They memorise the Qur'ān and do not understand how their condition has reached this state. And does Allāh accept her supplication? For she stands in prayer at night, beseeching daily that Allāh may forgive her and turn her away from this sin — or has Allāh’s wrath fallen upon her because she repents and then relapses? Is this act, known as sihāq (lesbianism), the same in ruling as liwāṭ (sodomy between men), or is it something else? Sheikh Najeeb Ash-Shar’abi ḥafidhahullāh: Sihāq is defined as one woman engaging sexually with another woman. It is prohibited by unanimous consensus. Ibn Ḥajar Al-Haytamī classified it among the major sins in Az-Zawājir (vol. 2, p. 235). The scholars have unanimously agreed that sihāq does not incur a prescribed legal punishment (ḥadd), as there is no explicit textual basis for it; however, it warrants a discretionary punishment (taʿzīr), the extent of which is left to the judgment of the ruler or judge, who may impose whatever penalty he deems suitable and deterrent for her and others. Ibn Qudāmah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said in Al-Mughnī (vol. 9, p. 61): “There is no ḥadd upon them, because it does not involve penetration; it therefore resembles physical contact short of intercourse. Both are subject to taʿzīr.” End quote. It is incumbent upon any woman who has fallen into this sin to hasten to repentance before Allāh, and she must not despair of His mercy, for despair is from Shayṭān, whose aim is to weaken and hinder her. Whoever repents sincerely, Allāh will surely accept her repentance. Allāh the Exalted says: ‘Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh forgives all sins; indeed, it is He who is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’ [Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53] And in Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim from Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allāh accepts the repentance of whoever repents.” And in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (no. 2759), from Abū Mūsā (may Allāh be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allāh stretches out His hand by night to accept the repentance of those who sinned by day, and stretches out His hand by day to accept the repentance of those who sinned by night — until the sun rises from the west.” Al-Ḥākim (no. 7615) narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar (may Allāh be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “Avoid these filthy acts which Allāh has forbidden. Whoever has been involved in any of them, let him conceal himself with the concealment of Allāh and repent to Allāh.” Al-Ḥākim said: “Authentic according to the criteria of Al-Bukhārī and Muslim,” and Adh-Dhahabī agreed. Al-Albānī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said in Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (no. 663): “It is as they said.” Repentance from sihāq and from a woman’s infatuation or love for another woman requires: avoiding situations of temptation and refraining from being alone with another woman — especially one with whom the sin has been committed; lowering the gaze from a woman’s charms; engaging oneself in acts of obedience and abundant istighfār (seeking forgiveness), as Allāh the Exalted says: ‘Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds.’ [Surah Hūd, 11:114] And the Prophet ﷺ said: “Fear Allāh wherever you are; follow a bad deed with a good one — it will erase it; and treat people with good manners.” [Narrated by Aḥmad (nos. 21354, 21403) and Abū Dāwūd (no.