Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 196
196 Islam says that marriage is a pure and holy institution of such sanctity that it is above and beyond mere sexual attractions. It is a union, which seeks to secure the future of our children and society at large through a sound and healthy family unit. Marriage is not about feeding and satisfying our base desires, it is a relationship forged between man and woman, so that both may become the strength of one another and so they may both assist one another in fulfilling their responsibilities to the world at large. A union based largely on carnal passions is one that lays the foundation for selfishness; but Islam is a religion, which instills selflessness. With appropriate grounding for our children in our family values based on our faith, Islam, they will realize that the Islamic position regarding homosexuality is logical and in full concordance with biology, psychology, history and reason. Our goal in Tabligh and Tarbiyat matters is to put forward what we believe, by first being good public role models, attracting people to us. To simply call other people immoral and telling them to convert or to change their personal practices, especially in the sexual arena, will likely be fruitless. Continue to interact with society around you and be inviting, standing firm in your principles and not wavering. In the end, love and compassion will win people over to our faith, as spirituality transforms us despite our imperfections, channeling our base desires and inclinations, regardless of nature and/or nurture, toward the right and positive direction.