What is the ruling for a woman who has a relationship of sexual nature with another woman?

In Islamic law, same gender sexual relationships are strictly forbidden by unanimous consensus of scholars. It is considered a major sin that involves exposing and touching the private parts (Awrah) unlawfully, and it contradicts the natural order established by Allah for human relations.

Islam establishes clear boundaries to protect modesty, moral purity, and the natural structure of the family, strictly prohibiting intimacy outside of a lawful marriage between a man and a woman.

Is the prohibition of same gender relationships limited to men in Islam?

No. The historical texts and the unanimous consensus of Islamic scholars confirm that such relationships are equally forbidden for both men and women, as it involves major sins and contradicts the natural human order.

Are women allowed to see each other's private parts (Awrah)?

It is strictly forbidden for a woman to look at the Awrah (the area from the navel to the knee) of another woman, just as it is for men. An exception applies for a valid necessity or recognized need, such as medical care, limited to what that need requires.

What did Imam An Nawawi say about touching or looking at the Awrah?

Imam An Nawawi stated that there is absolute scholarly consensus that a person looking at or touching the Awrah of someone of the same gender is Harām (forbidden), and warned against any actions that could lead to immorality.

The Prohibition and its Grounds

1. Unanimous Consensus on Prohibition

The scholars have unanimously concurred that same gender relationships are forbidden, and it is considered one of the major sins. It encompasses that the private parts are revealed to the other person and exposed without need. That also includes touching the private parts lustfully, and that is forbidden by the consensus of Muslims.

2. The Historical Example

Al-Suyuti records in Al-Durr al-Manthur, under Al-A'raf 7:80, a report attributed to Hudhayfah concerning the conduct of the men and women of Lut's people. He also records a report from Abu Hamzah in which Muhammad ibn Ali answers that the women sought women and the men sought men.

3. The Prophetic Command on Awrah

Abu Sa'id reported that the Messenger of Allah pbuh said: "A man must not look at another man's Awrah, nor must a woman look at another woman's Awrah; neither should two men lie undressed and touch under one cover, nor should two women lie undressed and touch under one cover" (Sahih Muslim 338).

4. The Quranic Warning

(As for those of your women who commit illegal intercourse call four witnesses from among yourselves. If they testify, confine the offenders to their homes until they die or Allah ordains a different way for them.) An Nisa 4:15.

Scholarly Insight: In Islamic Jurisprudence, the preservation of lineage and morality is a primary objective. Imam An Nawawi explicitly explained the Prophetic Hadith, stating: "It is Haram for a man to look at another man’s Awrah and for a woman to look at another woman’s Awrah, which there is no doubt about. Also not permissible is that a man looks at a woman’s Awrah, and a woman to look at a man’s Awrah. That is Haram by consensus" (Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, commentary on Muslim 338). Scholars emphasize that the boundaries of modesty apply to all genders equally to prevent the normalization of major sins.