3 Ways on How We Can Approach the Repeal of Section 377A Better as Muslims

This article is based on the ‘APER K’S?! Episod 2: Mansuh Punya Hal’ programme that was first premiered on 10 September. Watch the full video on YouTube here, and on Facebook here.

TL:DR there is a need for us to equip ourselves with accurate knowledge of something before we form an opinion on the matter. Moving forward, we also need to remember how prophet Muhammad s.a.w. would interact with sinners, as a guide for us as we navigate through life today.

During the National Day Rally speech, the Prime Minister of Singapore announced that Section 377A of the Penal Code will be repealed. This caused mixed reactions within the Singaporean community at large, with supporters and detractors swinging on both extremes. Today, let us look at how we can approach the matter better as Muslims.

1. Ensure accuracy of any information received

While the repeal of the Act may not be something that we are in favour of, one thing that we saw and heard in the aftermath of the announcement was reaction based on inaccurate information. At the heart of this perhaps is the misunderstanding of the Act to be repealed itself.

From the desk of APER K’s?! we are not here to try and explain at length about the Act. We are no law experts ourselves! But there is a general need for us to make sure that we are well informed about an issue before we dive in and share our thoughts on it.

This is what Allah has reminded us in surah al-Hujuraat verse 6 where He said: “ascertain the truth, for fear of harming others unwittingly”. This is what we have seen over the past few weeks after the announcement was made. Insinuations and shades were thrown left and right at perceived wrongdoings or what they feel it means. Instead, what should have been done was to find out what the repeal meant and what the Act was in the first place.

2. Understand the issue at hand objectively

One of the narratives that came out after the announcement was encapsulated in a viral screengrab from an overseas news programme that read: ‘Singapura halalkan hubungan seksual sesama lelaki’ (Singapore legitimizes sexual relations between men). The problem there is the use of the term ‘halal’.

By using a term that has a religious connotation to it, the news title somehow made it looks like what happened is that Muslims in Singapore have now declared having same sex relations as halal and accepted by the religion. Which we know is not!

The repeal of 377A is an issue of civil law in Singapore. It has got nothing to do with our religion. It does not change the fact that same sex marriage is still considered as a sin. This much was highlighted by the mufti of Singapore in his statement: that while we cannot stop the existence of alternative lifestyle choices, we do not condone it nor do we agree with it.

3. Learn from Prophet Muhammad s.a.w on how to interact with wrongdoers

So if we do not condone the act itself, how then are we supposed to approach and interact with someone who identifies him or herself with such lifestyles? Again, on the web we see people admonishing, hurting, and even demonizing such people.

Yet, have we forgotten what Allah has told us in the Quran? That we should “call people to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good teaching”? (An-Nahl: 125). Is it then a wise move to alienate people for what they have done? Are we following in the words of Allah and of the beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w by saying such words to these people?

Looking at the life of the prophet, he taught us a lot of things. One of it is the story of Nu’aiman that was shared in the video of a companion who was a drunk. The prophet even told off a group of companions who were admonishing him! Imagine! The prophet not only did not say hurtful things to Nu’aiman, he even defended him from others who did so. Does this means that the prophet s.a.w condoned what he did? Surely not!

All in all, looking at the whole episode of 377A’s repeal, we have to make sure that while we want to protect our religion and our children, we do not do so at the expense of forgoing what the religion has taught us.

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