Abu Al-Faraj Al-Isfahani’s Kitab Al-Aghani Records The Lives Of A Number Of Individuals Including One

Contrary to Claims of Anti-Trans Muslims, LGBTQ+ Acceptance is Widespread in the History of Islam
Religion Dispatches
In recent weeks, school boards across the country have become sites of conflict as organized anti-trans and anti-gay protests allied with ca

Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani records the lives of a number of individuals including one named Tuways who lived during the last years of Muhammad and the reigns of the early Muslim dynasties. Tuways was mukhannathun: those who were born as men, but who presented as female. They are described by al-Isfahani as wearing bangles, decorating their hands with henna, and wearing feminine clothing. One mukhannathun, Hit, was even in the household of the Prophet Muhammad. Tuways earned a reputation as a musician, performing for clients and even for Muslim rulers. When Yahya ibn al-Hakam was appointed as governor, Tuways joined in the celebration wearing ostentatious garb and cosmetics. When asked by the governor if he were Muslim Tuways affirmed his belief, proclaiming the declaration of faith and saying that he observes the fast of Ramadan and the five daily prayers. In other words, al-Isfahani, who recorded the life of a number of mukhannathun like Tuways, saw no contradiction between his gender expression and his Muslimness. From al-Isfahani we read of al-Dalal, ibn Surayj, and al-Gharid—all mukhannathun—who lived rich lives in early Muslim societies. Notably absent from al-Isfahani’s records is any state-sanctioned persecution. Instead, the mukhannathun are an accepted part of society.

...

Far from isolated cases, across Islamic history—from North Africa to South Asia—we see widespread acceptance of gender nonconforming and queer individuals. - Later in the Ottoman Empire, there were the köçek who were men who wore women’s clothing and performed at festivals. Formally trained in dance and percussion instruments, the köçek were an important part of social functions. A similar practice was found in Egypt. The khawal were male dancers who presented as female, wearing dresses, make up, and henna. Like their Ottoman counterparts, they performed at social events.

- In South Asia, the hijra were and are third-sex individuals. The term is used for intersex people as well as transgender women. Hijra are attested to among the earliest Muslim societies of South Asia where, according to Nalini Iyer, they were often guardians of the household and even held office as advisors.

- In Iraq, the mustarjil are born female, but present as men. In Wilfred Thesiger’s The Marsh Arabs the guide, Amara explains, “A mustarjil is born a woman. She cannot help that; but she has the heart of a man, so she lives like a man.” When asked if the mustarjil are accepted, Amara replies “Certainly. We eat with her and she may sit in the mudhif.” Amara goes on to describe how mustarjil have sex with women.

...

Historian Indira Gesink analyzed 41 medical and juristic sources between the 8th and 18th centuries and discovered that the discourse of a “binary sex” was an anachronistic projection backwards. Gesink points out in one of the earliest lexicography by the 8th century al-Khalil ibn Ahmad that he suggests addressing a male-presenting intersex person as ya khunathu and a female-presenting intersex person as ya khanathi while addressing an effeminate man as ya khunathatu. This suggests a clear recognition of a spectrum of sex and gender expression and a desire to address someone respectfully based on how they presented.

Tolerance of gender ambiguity and non-conformity in Islamic cultures went hand-in-hand with broader acceptance of homoeroticism. Texts like Ali ibn Nasir al-Katib’s Jawami al-Ladhdha, Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani’s Kitab al-Aghani, and the Tunisian, Ahmad al-Tifashi’s Nuz’ha al-‘Albab attest to the widespread acceptance of same-sex desire as natural. Homoeroticism is a common element in much of Persian and Arabic poetry where youthful males are often the object of desire. From Abu Nuwas to Rumi, from ibn Ammar to Amir Khusraw, some of the Islamic world’s greatest poets were composing verses for their male lovers. Queer love was openly vaunted by poets. One, Ibn Nasr, immortalizes the love between two Arab lesbians Hind al Nu’man and al-Zarqa by writing:

“Oh Hind, you are truer to your word than men. Oh, the differences between your loyalty and theirs.”

...

Acceptance of same-sex desire and gender non-conformity was the hallmark of Islamic societies to such a degree that European travelers consistently remarked derisively on it. In the 19th century, Edward Lane wrote of the khawal: “They are Muslims and natives of Egypt. As they personate women, their dances are exactly of the same description as those of the ghawazee; and are, in like manner, accompanied by the sound of castanets.”

A similarly scandalized CS Sonnini writes of Muslim homoerotic culture:

“The inconceivable appetite which dishonored the Greeks and the Persians of antiquity, constitute the delight, or to use a juster term, the infamy of the Egyptians. It is not for women that their ditties are composed: it is not on them that tender caresses are lavished; far different objects inflame them.”

In his travels in the 19th century, James Silk Buckingham encounters an Afghan dervish shedding tears for parting with his male lover. The dervish, Ismael, is astonished to find how rare same-sex love was in Europe. Buckingham reports the deep love between Ismael and his lover quoting, “though they were still two bodies, they became one soul.”

...

Today, vocal Muslim critics of LGBTQ+ rights often accuse gay and queer people of imposing a “Western” concept or forcing Islam to adjust to “Western values” failing to grasp the irony of the claim: the shift in the 19th and 20th century was precisely an alignment with colonial values over older Islamic ones, all of which led to legal criminalization. In fact, the common feature among nations with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation isn’t Islam, but rather colonial law.

Don't talk to me I'm weeping. I'm not Muslim, but the grief of colonization runs in the blood of every Global South person. Dicovering these is like finding our lost treasures among plundered ruins.

Queer folk have always, always been here; we have always been inextricable, shining golden threads in the tapestry of human history. To erase and condemn us is to continue using the scalpel of colonizers in the mutilation and betrayal of our own heritage.

More Posts from Bluberrimuffintop and Others

7 months ago

girl this better work

good things will happen 🧿

things that are meant to be will fall into place 🧿

1 year ago

it's the bisexual curse pasi 😓😓

all i talk about is pussy😭


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1 year ago

imma be SO inappropriate rn

You Can Trust Him, He's A Good Guy...

You can trust him, he's a good guy...


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1 year ago

Intro to Mineralogy is nottttt makiiingggg senseeeeee 😮‍💨

is this what i get for hyperfixating on steven universe when i was 12 ....

i just wanted to see pretty gems !! not !!! this !!!!


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10 months ago

Your Tumblr username decides your profession. How is your first day at work?

1 year ago

˚。୨♡୧ ˚。 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑴𝒀 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑺 𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝒀 𝑩𝑼𝑻...

 ˚。୨♡୧ ˚。 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑴𝒀 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑺 𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝒀
 ˚。୨♡୧ ˚。 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑴𝒀 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑺 𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝒀
 ˚。୨♡୧ ˚。 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑴𝒀 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑻𝑺 𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑻𝒀

@osamwah is caring like an angel

@xoxokirby is as sweet as cotton candy

@yuujispinkhair reminds me of swans in love

@desi-the-blue-eyed-kakushi is that friend who cheers you on no matter how shitty life is

@mikage-rehoe is so cat coded i love it

@kitashousewife brings me peace like the greenest field

@saenora is an art made by god that he cherishes

@qichun reminds me of berries. epecially blueberries they are my favorite.

@tetzoro reminds me of the Valentine's because everytime i look at her, she is always filled with so much love and joy

@cosmicstarlatte is my favorite grape soda because she's sweet and tangy all at once

@sugumimi is as pretty as those white ribbons i always tie my hair with

@dabisqueen reminds me of thunderbolt. she is strong and so bright. she brings me strength.

@zorosdimples is a clover because i feel like everyone gets lucky when she appears on dash

@canwenotdothis is my favorite banana and avocado sock that i show off to everyone

@driaswrld is my favorite song who's melody makes me hop and dance

@devoti is my favorite orange cat because she is so unpredictable and unhinged but a sweet little thing

@papersirens is the comic book on my shelf that i rarely read but always admire the art of

@sachiyoh is my favorite milktea boba

@gojoest reminds me of the cerulean blue of gojo's eyes

@rizzmin is the blood you i suck off my loved ones when they're hurt

@snowberi is the prettiest sunset ever

@fuyuaika reminds me so much of pretty tulips i see down the flowershop

@kentoangel reminds of the cute clouds in a clear sky

@strawberrystepmom is fall season and everything autumn related.

@doobea is my favorite plushie

@half-baked-biscuit is my favorite holiday festival

@linpunny is a sweet and sour neon pink candy floss

@margumis is my favorite sentence that i draw hearts around in my book

@yuta-nation is as comforting as my winter sweater

@princess-okkotsu reminds me of saturn

@dreadsuitsamus is my favorite laugh and joy

@vagabond-umlaut is the castle built on a foundation of belongingness

@renhoeku is as strong and pretty as the ring around jupiter

@elusivemoon is blue hour on a chilly night

@bluberrimuffintop is rose quartz crystal

@ringasm reminds me of the constellations in a night sky

@sleepy3 reminds be of the color lilac

@moshimochis is a vanilla icecream that brings me comfort after a hectic day

@shoyostar is a planet that rains diamonds

@oreo-creampie is my favorite dark academia aesthetic

@gojo-mochi is my favorite sweet shop to visit

@nyimasu is a cherry wine giving me company on a lonely night

@moonlit-mizukage reminds me of rain

@vampgloss is the prettiest butterfly i have ever seen

@deskaisers reminds me of stargazing

@eros-lives is the night club i love going to

@benkeibear is my favorite cute lil hamster

@unknownspecies is a tiger shark


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8 months ago

kento's a real man.

a man who uses your purse with no shame, even if everyone stares at him.

a man who does not feel ashamed in doing 'feminine' activities, in his eyes, it's just an activity. since when is cooking or knitting shameful?

a man who doesn't have the need to control your every move. he doesn't always need to be in a position of power over you.

a man who flaunts your achievements, even if they're greater than his. in fact, he could never be prouder.

a man who understands the decision of the amount of children to have entirely is up to you.

a man who isn't scared to buy feminine products and in fact volunteers to buy them when you are in need.

a man who understands that housework is a shared activity and that being a housewife is a real job.

a man who understands the sacrifice of becoming a full-time mom and makes sure you know you're appreciated in every single moment.

note: beabadoobee reference, got an idea while listening to her song

1 year ago

Uhm??? HELPPP?????

Facebook wins

Facebook Wins

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2 years ago

If ever a man was deserving of a blow job it’s Joel Miller

If Ever A Man Was Deserving Of A Blow Job It’s Joel Miller

A/N: joel x f!reader. blow job duh.

He comes home at odd hours and sometimes he doesn’t come home at all. It’s not even your place–it’s his. His shitty room with four walls and a peach couch sprouting stuffing. It’s not a Joel couch. He probably would have had a La-Z-Boy. 

You wait. You wait and listen to the radio. Get really well acquainted with the 80’s catalogue. You're his ears when he’s gone. It really isn’t a job, but it’s the small things you can do for him.

***

“Move over,” he mutters in a low voice. It’s the middle of the night, his hands are cold as he pushes you to the edge of the mattress. You’re an inch from rolling off before his strong arms wrap around your waist and haul you back to his chest. 

“How was today?”

“Shitty.”

“Did you eat?”

He mumbles something noncommital into your hair and squeezes you, sealing you to his front to leach your warmth.

You trace his scars that drag across his forearm. You prod the dry skin, sunspots and freckles. His mouth is nearly latched to the nape of your neck, his breath puffing evenly. He’s exhausted, which isn’t a surprise. He works day in and day out in addition to all the illegal shit he’s running. 

He’s always running. 

***

In the morning, you push him onto his back. The sun filters through his windows, spouting through moth-eaten curtains. There are dust motes in the air. The smell of dirt and Joel, which is something like sawdust and gunpowder. Wood finish. The interior of an old car. He grunts when you slide between his legs, docile because he's still threaded with grogginess. He slept in his clothes, and you take care as you gingerly remove them. 

He does peek one eye at you to make sure you aren’t some creep who’s slipped into his room to take advantage.

"It's me," you grin, and he blinks before shutting his eyes again. Typical.

You like to study him like this. He’s ruddy and baked from the sun. He’s all scrapes and silver-dark hair and his middle is soft from age. He's unnaturally strong, but some parts of him just don't tighten anymore.

Your gaze flickers from his face to the sparse hairs at his chest and then to his groin. You touch his cock, skating your nails over the shaft. It twitches, hardens almost immediately. You lower your head and take him into your mouth.

Joel stiffens, jerks a little as his knees come up and his hand flies to your scalp. “What’re you–”

You release him for a moment. “Relax, baby. Let me do this for you.”

His eyes are still foggy and unfocused, his brow furrowed so deep it might crack his skin. He’s so serious all the fucking time and you’d wish he’d just unknot himself for once. Loose the strings that bind him so painfully to his past.

You settle onto your knees before you wrap your lips around his cock, swallowing him down until the head hits the back of your throat. You gag, drool bunching around your gums as you clench the inner walls of your mouth. 

He does not expect that because he arches.

“Fuck,” he growls. “Jesus–honey–”

You place one hand on his belly and the other at his balls. You tug them, massage their weight just as you draw back enough to dip your tongue into the slit at the tip of his cock. A rumble burns through his chest. The hand on your head tightens. 

You hollow your cheeks and utilize a deliberate suction. After fucking Joel for months, you understand the things he likes: roughness, a dash of pain, and the promise of filth. You ease off before you return with a vengeance. You gently scrape your teeth along the frenulum, soothing the graze with a lick. It’s a sloppy blow job for sure, but that’s what he needs. His brown eyes stay locked on your own, his pink tongue sweeps over his lower lip as his hips buck against your chin. A muscle in his jaw spasms and his heels are digging into the mattress. He looks incredibly young as if you're seeing a Joel invigorated with his old youth because you're sucking him off like a porn star.

“You’re fucked,” he groans, head tipping back as he shudders through another round of you playing with his balls while deep throating him. “You’re so so fucked, sweetheart.”

You watch his belly tense, the tendons in his arms and throat snap to attention as you escalate the pressure, gag a little louder, stroke him faster while he stares at you with incredulity. 

You? This? Where the fuck did you learn how to suck dick like that?

“Shit,” he hisses as you feel him swell, his cock is pulsing in your mouth and against your palm like a living thing. His fingernails are scratching beneath your hair. He’s breaking….

And then he does.

He goes all stiff and hot before you feel the warm rush of his spend salt your tongue and throat. You nearly choke on it before you pull away, hand subtly pressed to your lips. You try and leave the bed, but he's already sitting up on his knees. His cock red and hanging between his legs, all flushed and wet with your spit. 

“You’re dead, girl,” he husks as he beckons you toward him. “Get back on here and turn the fuck around.”

He’s kind of smiling.


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bluberrimuffintop - what's the use of feeling blu ?
what's the use of feeling blu ?

(๑>؂•̀๑) {Blue/Blu} {20} {she/her} ‼️MDNI‼️ age in blog b4 following me or *get fucking nuked* 🙄

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