The Curse for Those Who Commit the Acts of the People of Prophet Lut in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad
The prohibition of same-sex sexual relations in Islam is not only explained in the Qur’an but is also emphasised through a number of hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. In one narration, the Prophet referred to the acts of the people of Prophet Lut as one of the immoralities he greatly feared would befall his followers. Indeed, the Prophet stated in his sayings that Allah curses the person who commits the acts of the people of Prophet Lut, namely homosexual acts.
A hadith explaining the curse of Allah SWT upon homosexual and sodomite acts, and which was greatly feared by the Prophet Muhammad: From Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Uqail, that he heard Jabir say that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Indeed, what I fear most for my followers is the act of the people of Prophet Lut.’ (Narrated by Imam At-Tirmidhi).
From Ibn Abbas, that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Allah curses the one who commits the act of the people of Prophet Lut, Allah curses the one who commits the act of the people of Prophet Lut, Allah curses the one who commits the act of the people of Prophet Lut.’ (Narrated by Imam An-Nasai and Imam Ahmad).
The decree of Allah SWT prohibiting same-sex sexual relations and describing them as an act of fahisyah (extreme abomination), excess, and transgression, is cited from the Fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Number 57 of 2014 concerning Lesbians, Gays, Sodomy, and Sexual Abuse.
In Surah Al-A’raf, Verses 80 and 81, same-sex sexual relations are described as an abominable act never before committed by any people prior to the people of Prophet Lut. Thus, the people of Prophet Lut are described as a people who transgressed boundaries, earning them punishment in this world and the hereafter. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: ‘And [We had sent] Lut when he said to his people, “Do you commit such immorality as no one has preceded you with from among the worlds? Indeed, you approach men with desire, instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people.”’ (QS Al-A’raf: 80-81).
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: ‘Then We destroyed the others.’ (QS Ash-Shu’ara: 172). When the appointed time arrived, Allah rained down upon the people of Sodom a devastating shower of stones from hardened clay, and their land was turned upside down by Allah. Thus, the people of Sodom and their city were destroyed. Not long after the people of Prophet Lut were annihilated, their land was submerged in water. Recently, the ruins of the city of Sodom were discovered on the shore of Lake Lut, in the southern part of the Dead Sea (al-Bahrul Mayyit). As for Prophet Lut and his followers, they moved to Zoar, an ancient city in Canaan (Tafsir of the Ministry of Religious Affairs).
In Surah Ash-Shu’ara, Verses 165 and 166, same-sex relations are described as a transgressive act. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says: ‘Do you approach males among the worlds, and leave what your Lord has created for you as mates? But you are a people transgressing.’