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Transcript: Positions the development of the Islamic tradition historically Marginalized Individuals: Same-sex Acts and The Making of The Islamic Tradition 1- Existing social attitudes Consider theoretical frameworks used in other fields of study while attempting to avoid the projection of modern categories onto historical moments. 2. Pirke De Rabbi Eliezer (8th century CE) Islamic Jurisprudence of same-sex acts Munkar = pelting & mocking Exegetical elaborations: 1- Have intercourse with men 2- They stopped travelers through their lands to do the evil act to them 3- Group orgies Two preliminary conclusions: 1- These acts existed in the Prophet's Arabia 2- Viewed negatively to the extent that it was used as an insult What is the Qur'ānic Lot narrative? Conditional Death Establishes a foundation for comparative work across religious & geographic boundaries Qur'ānic Lot Narrative: A Desperate Prophet Tales of the Prophets: Qisas al-Anbiyā' Mu'āwiyya (d. 680 CE) attributes the Prophet with saying: "the people of Lot used to sit in their gatherings and each one of their men had with him a sack that contained pebbles, whenever a wayfarer would pass them by, they would all pelt him. Whomever of them had struck him [the wayfarer], then he [who had struck him] was entitled to him [kanā awlā bihı]." - In reading scriptural texts Their sins in the Qur'ān: 1- Lust after men (tashtahūna al-rijāl) 2- Commit highway robbery 3- Practice wickedness in your assemblies (ta'tūna fī nādīkum al-munkar) No Death Penalty Implications of this Study 1- Muḥammad b. Isḥāq (d. 150/767 CE) 2- Abū Ḥudhayfa Isḥāq Ibn Bishr (d. 206/821 CE) Talmud, Mishna and commentaries: Leviticus 18:22, "Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman," Leviticus 20:13, "... both of them have committed an abomination [to'evah]: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." A death penalty should be inflicted by lapidation. 1- In what ways did the interaction between the Jews and Muslims of early Arabia shape the formation of the extra-scriptural Islamic Lot narrative? Roman Law: Theodosius (d. 395CE) punishes with amelioration. Justinian (d. 565 CE) in his Institutes punishes with death through castration or insertion of sharp reeds into the organ's pours. Silent on punishment for females Read primary texts across and within multiple genres in their historical context to gain a comprehensive web of meanings: Result in various punishments Current & Future Research 2- What role did Jewish converts play in transmitting lore? Research Interests and Goals When guests arrive, Lot declares, "Truly this is a distressful day." When townspeople get wind of the news he begs, "These are my guests, disgrace me not, and fear God and do not shame me." His people respond saying, "Did we not forbid you to associate with (other) people" and 'Have we not told you not to interfere [with us and] anyone else? "Oh my people, 'My daughters are here, if you must.' So fear God, and do not put me to shame with my guests. They respond, "You know that we have no right with your daughters, and you know quite well what we want" The Qur'ān and its Exegetical Treatments What were some of the factors that shaped the jurists' adjudication of same-sex acts? The Companions are each attributed with holding Conflicting positions Approach and Methodology Connect the past with the present: Exegetical Developments Identify the historical roots of modern Muslim ideologies, movements, and praxis. 1- Modern Muslim discourses over homosexuality 2- Non-state sponsored Egyptian preachers 3- Countering violence with tradition Prophetic Reports and Circulation Sexual desires- "homosexuality," Pederasty Physical state- Elderly, Young, Disabled Social status- Free, Slaves, Freedman Religious affiliation- Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, etc. Gender- Women, Men, Intersex Uncover the logic, context, and heritage that have shaped early Islamic discourse and continue to shape modern Muslim doctrine and praxis. "He [Lot] also said to them, ‘You practice abominable acts [fāḥishāt] that no people before you have ever committed. You lust after men, commit highway robbery, and practice wickedness in your assemblies." (29: 28-29) Pre-Islamic legal Treatments Biblical narrative- Genesis 19:1-38 1- What were some of the laws regulating same-sex acts in neighboring regions? 2- “A woman does not have “intercourse” (tubāshir or ta'tī) with another woman except that they are both zānīyatān, and a man does not have intercourse (yubāshir/ya'tī) with another man except that they are both zānīyān.” "He [Lot] also said to them, ‘You practice abominable acts [fāḥishāt] that no people before you have ever committed. [1] You lust after men, [2] commit highway robbery, [3] and practice wickedness in your assemblies." (29: 28-29) 3- Exegetical treatments of Qur'ānic Lot narrative 5- Jurists' legal framework, reasoning, & methodologies Context: The Near Eastern Landscape and Social Attitudes Liwāt - male-male anal
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