Q. why cant Muslims have girlfriends and boyfriends? Can a Muslim person hang out with a gay man? sorry my questions are a little weird!!

A. Your questions are not ‘weird.’ Your questions are product of our current environment. If you feel your environment is ‘weird,’ then you must change your social setting, so as to create thoughts that would promote greater awareness.

A1) Muslims cannot have boyfriends and girlfriends because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) forbids such relations. The Nobel Quran states:

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And go not go near to fornication; surely it is an indecency and an evil way. 17:32

As you can note, the Quran does not say, do not merely refrain from adultery. It states, do not ever get close to it. This means not having friends of the opposite gender, also we are to refrain from friends of the same gender that would entice you towards adultery, as well as anything that takes you towards any type of corruption. All things that take you to evil are forbidden in Islam. Islam wants us to have a healthy lifestyle. Having a carefree lifestyle, inclusive of girlfriend/boyfriend makes us prone to an illicit lifestyle, prone to affairs, diseases, disrespect of ourselves and future spouses, and contributes to living a life of disrespect.

Living a chaste life brings value to self. For students, a chaste life helps to focus on studies, helps one get ahead with things that are necessary ourselves. Boyfriends/girlfriends distract us from successful worldly and religious activities.

The Quran prohibits it, and as faithful Muslims, we should take our religion seriously enough to listen to the advice it commands upon us.

A2) If gay is defined as a person who resorts to homosexuality, then this is viewed as wrong according to all major religions. One should help the ‘friend’ (that is if they are true friends) understand the value of healthy lifestyle choices. Help this ‘friend’ understand that homosexuality is an unnatural process. Homosexuality has been prohibited by all religious. It is a lifestyle filled with greater levels of ill effects then positivity.

Choose your friends wisely.

Allah certainly knows best.