Salaam.

My understanding was that these verses refer to punishment for homosexuality (for both men & women). I know Yusuf Ali says so in his footnotes but he acknowledges that it's not a commonly held view. It makes sense to me though. The fact that there needs to be 4 witnesses means that the punishment happens only in extremely rare scenarios (because there are verses that ask people to enter other people's houses only with permission). So unless they're "doing it" in a pubic space I cannot imagine many scenarios where people are caught and punished for homosexuality.

Also the fact that there is only one punishment mentioned here would indicate that the punishment is the same for both men and women (that they be held in their houses till they repent or God makes a way for them). I confess I cannot think of what "the way" might be in a real life situation )

God knows best. Please do point out if there are mistakes in my understanding above.

@Arman - bingo! The first part of your post clearly gives the exact same reservation I have about the translations / understandings I've come across so far. Even when you take into consideration the other verses from the Quran, there's no escaping the "if - then" condition here. How does marriage resolve the problem of being unfair to orphans? Odd things to be coupled together, you know??

However I'm not entirely convinced by your current understanding either (as of now, at least). No offense ) In any case it's food for thought. IA the correct understanding will come, by grace of God.

Thanks to everyone who replied and if anyone has different thoughts on this, please do share. Salaam.

Salaam everyone!

I need some thoughts / advice please..

So I'm from a Sunni background but have been a Quranist for over 10 years now. My parents know I follow only the Quran and of course worry that I'm going to hell ) Met a guy (thru my parents btw) who's not from a Sunni background (to get the context, consider a Shia who most Sunnis consider as non-Muslims). My parents allowed us to talk only due to my "advanced age". He's not religious at all which honestly bugs me, but at least this means he's open to the whole Quranist concept instead of automatically thinking I'm a horrible person because of that, as many Sunnis would.

Well we talked, and decided to get married. Yay, right? Nope. After (reluctantly) allowing us to talk earlier, now my parents have gone the other way and say they cannot accept this guy since "he's not Muslim". Never mind the fact that in their thoughts, I'm not a Muslim either.

I'm so confused - I don't want to go against my parents or hurt them, but I think they're being ridiculous here. If the same guy was Sunni, they'd have no problems whatsoever agreeing to him.

The major thing that's holding me back is his lack of religious leanings. Which need not be all negative as I mentioned earlier. We're compatible in general in other ways as far as I can see.

If somebody else asked me this question, I'd say never hurt your parents, be patient etc. BUT I mentioned my advanced age (trust me, it really is advanced) so I worry that if I let go of this one, I wouldn't meet someone else on time to have kids. Some part of me says having kids should not be my main worry, it should be that the guy is not religious (he believes in doing good but does not think religion is all that great based on what the religious people are up to).

My guy and I are fighting since he believes I won't get married without my parents agreeing (which they won't) and he accuses me of wasting his time. I want some more time to hopefully convince them, cuz no matter how I try I cannot bring myself to go marry him without their consent, no matter how reluctantly given.

I need some perspective here. Please help!

Salaam,

Can someone please help me understand this ayah? I?m not an Arabic speaker, and I?m going by the literal translation from <a href="http//www.internetmosque.net/read/english_translation_of_the_quran_meaning/4/3/">this</a> site. Here?s what they give as the meaning ?

And if you feared that you not be just/equitable in the orphans , so marry what (was) allowed/permitted for you from the women two twos/twos, and threes, and fours, so if you feared that you not be just/equitable, so (marry) one or what your rights owned/possessed, that (is) nearer that you not side away from justice .

I know there are different interpretations on this verse (the site gives these as well), but try as I might, I just cannot come up with a situation where marriage serves as a ?solution? to unjust treatment. So here are my questions -

1. What is the ?unjust? behaviour referred to here ? is it financial?
2. If not, what else?
3. If you think you?re not going to be just with orphans, how does marriage (whether it is with the orphans themselves or their mothers or someone else) help?

Basically, what exactly is the problem referred to here and what is God?s solution?

Losing a bit of sleep over this one ) Please help!