You Must Be Layla: does it promote LGBTQIA+?
As part of my study for my book Smart Teenage Muslimah, I recently read the novel 'You Must Be Layla.' I had seen online that Muslims were saying the feminist author Yassmin Abdul Magied was promoting homosexuality by including a gay character in the book. So I wanted to fact-check it.
Layla, a bright young Sudanese Muslimah who resides in Australia, is the book's protagonist. She lives with her loving family, who have instilled in her Islamic principles, and they frequently visit the neighbourhood mosque. Layla switches schools after previously attending an Islamic school. Since she is the sole hijabi student at the school, she must contend with racism, Islamophobia, and bullies. It's excellent to see the author tackling these topics because hardly many books do. Islamophobia and racism are serious issues that young black Muslims must not be overlooked.
Let's now turn our attention to the other major focus of the book: Ethan. He is Layla's crush, and at the end of the book, he comes out to Layla as gay, and Layla feels 'happiness for her friend' and 'honour of being chosen to be confided in'. Throughout the novel, she has intimate thoughts about him and comforts and hugs him when he cries; they get very close physically. At one point, she even asks herself, 'Rahhhhh, I don't even know if this is halal. Ah well, he's my friend, and he's sad. Allah can forgive that!' but still continues. Magied portrays Ethan as sympathetic to Layla; he is not racist. He's a good guy. Non-Muslim liberals and feminists love the book, and it shows Muslim girls in a good light, so what's the big deal?
Firstly, Magied is a Muslim and knows that the actions her Muslim character is undertaking are forbidden. She is also aware that it is forbidden to be gay. Therefore, why is a Muslim author promoting the idea that it's acceptable for Muslim teenagers to have a very intimate friendship with a boy and accept qawm Lut as the norm?
We all know Allah punished qawm Lut for their unnatural, perverted behaviour.
'What! Of all creatures, do you approach males and leave the spouses whom your Lord has created for you? Indeed, you are people transgressing (all limits)!' (Ash-Shu'araa: 165-166)
Also, Lut's (as) wife was destroyed, not because she took part in homosexual acts but because she was their ally.
'Set out with your family during a portion of the night and let not any among you look back, except your wife. Indeed she will be struck by that which strikes them. Indeed, their appointment is [for] the morning. Is not the morning near?" (Hud, 11:81)
We need to reflect seriously on who we support and love because we will be with them on the Day of Ressurection. "You will be with those whom you love." (Bukhari and Muslim). I am sure you are aware that feminists love and support LGBTQIA+. They believe no one can tell a woman who she should love. Muslim feminists encourage teenage Muslims to accept LGBTQIA+ as normal. Other examples are Malala Yousefzai, and Riz Ahmed, who endorsed the pro-trans movie Joyland and said it should not be banned in Pakistan. Unfortunately, Magied has also joined the queer bandwagon.
So how should we react to Muslims who publically promote LGBTQIA+ to Muslims? Firstly do dua that Allah guides them and don't abuse or insult them. Should we promote their books on our bookstagram accounts? Should we give platforms to Muslims who publically promote haram lifestyles because we want to amplify the voices of Muslim women? I know Muslim women want to support other sisters because we know how much Islamophobia we face. If we do that, we will be accountable on the Day of Judgement if people listen to them because we recommended their books or asked them to speak at an event. Instead, promote and support Islamic content creators so you can share in their reward.
Is this censorship or cancelling individuals? No, it is called enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and it's obligatory to do this with wisdom, not hatred.
'Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'roof (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. (Quran 3:104)
The Islamic Sex Education for Muslim Girls includes video lessons, to help you understand the following topics:
Intentions
Female and male anatomy
Sexual intercourse
LGBTQIA+ and Gender Identity
Islamic sexual ethics and morals
Prohibited sexual relations
Please note we do not offer refunds for any of our courses.