The equivalent of genetic traits in Qur’anic terminology is fitrah. One of the most important concepts of the Holy Qur’an, fitrah, means the creation of something for the first time, physical and biological characteristics, character, temperament, the ability to recognize Allah, etc. Fitrah signifies the creation codes of creatures determined by Allah at the moment of the first creation and their initial state that has not yet been affected by external influences (Hokelekli, “Fitrat”, DIA, 13/47). In the tafsir of the 30th verse of Surah al-Rum, the mufassirs, while explaining the word fitrah, mostly emphasize the creation of human beings with the ability to recognize Allah and the harmony between the religion sent by Allah and the fitrah created in human beings. One of the issues that need to be emphasized in the context of fitrah, especially today, is the fact that people are born with the gender of male or female. Allah determines whether a person is male or female with the formation of “xx” and “xy” chromosomes in the womb. In the Holy Qur’an, it is stated that efforts to change the characteristics created by Allah, such as biological sex, are the instigations of Satan: “Allah has cursed Satan, who said, ‘I will certainly mislead them and delude them with empty hopes. Also, I will order them and they will slit the ears of cattle and alter Allah’s creation.’” (Nisa, 4:119). The expression “altering Allah’s creation” in the verse has been interpreted by mufassirs as an interference with the first code of creation, the fitrah. Tafsir scholars have interpreted the interference with fitrah as permanent changes in the human body, such as tattooing, women trying to resemble men and men trying to resemble women, homosexuality, and people trying to alter their biological male and female gender. Based on these interpretations, we can summarize interference with fitrah as people using their bodies for purposes other than the purpose for which they were created and trying to change their innate characteristics for the sake of this purpose. This is considered a grave deviation and a major sin in Islam. 

It is also possible to explain the fact that the fitrah must not be corrupted with the values that Islam commands to be protected. Islam has set the protection of religion, life, lineage (nasab), intellect, and property as the main goal for the happiness of individuals in this world and the Hereafter, as well as for the stability of society. The principle of “protection of life”, one of these values, initially appears to entail obligations such as refraining from unjustly taking life and avoiding harm to others’ bodies. However, this principle also includes provisions such as preserving the mental health of individuals and not interfering with their bodies except for treatment. In this context, biological sex should be considered within the framework of what Islam commands to be protected. In addition, the ideology of desexualization violates the principle of protecting lineage. In a desexualized society, the institution of the family will be destroyed and it will become impossible to raise healthy generations. 

Unfortunately, in contemporary times, there are external groups, often supported from outside our faith, tradition, and cultural norms, that reject the concept of biological sex. They actively promote the ideology of desexualization within society through various means in pursuit of their objectives. This ideology is instilled in the minds of young people, especially through some foreign music groups, iconic characters, TV series, and social media influencers. What this ideology wants to do in the world is to build a society where biological sex is trivialized and where people live according to the gender they identify with. For those who support this idea, principles of faith, traditions, customs, and cultures are characterized as impositions and oppressions on human beings. It is argued that no matter what sex a person is born with, the choice of gender should be left to the individual. Therefore, raising children according to their biological sex is considered wrong. It is claimed that this ideology will eliminate the inequality between men and women in societies. However, mistakes made in the past cannot be compensated by making bigger mistakes. The West is grappling with the consequences of its historical treatment of women as second-class citizens, which included portraying them as demonic beings during the Middle Ages. However, in attempting to rectify these past injustices, some have made grave errors by corrupting the natural order (fitrah) and denying the physiological realities of women in the name of so-called freedom and equality. 

This ideology has brought many new terms to the agenda. Non-binary (behaving and living as neither male nor female), agender, non-gendered, gender-free, and gender fluid (a non-fixed gender identity that shifts over time or depending on the situation) are some of these terms. All of these are based on a denial of biological sex and a non-discrimination between men and women in terms of sexuality. Such thinking and approach are aimed at creating a society without boundaries where faith-based values and moral principles are ignored. It’s crucial to recognize that these ideas often target the family as one of their primary institutions. People who adhere to such ideologies often struggle to maintain a healthy family life due to the inherent conflicts with traditional family structures and values. Therefore, the spread of such deviant movements in society is actually aimed at destroying the institution of the family, which is the core of society. 

Our religion’s perspective on this issue is clear: Allah created human beings as male and female and wanted them to live according to their biological gender. Allah has set boundaries for male-female relationships and prohibited transgressing these limits. He has permitted sexual intercourse between a man and a woman only within the bounds of a legitimate marriage. Engaging in sexual relations with one’s own sex is considered heresy and a major sin. As all of Allah’s commandments and prohibitions are in harmony with human nature, any attempt to disrupt them is defined as paving the way for evil and sin. 

When considering this critical issue, the paramount message to convey is that individuals must strive to preserve their fitrah, their natural disposition, and avoid social environments and ideological circles that may lead to its corruption. It will not be possible for people whose fitrah has been corrupted, whose genetic codes have been manipulated, and whose psychology has been distorted to hear the truth of al-Haqq and turn to Him. Perhaps this is why the malicious circles that regard Islam as the greatest threat consider it their greatest duty to destroy the fitrah and strive to spread deviant tendencies that are contrary to it. In fact, these circles are waging war against both the biological existence of human beings and Allah the Almighty, Who created this existence. However, it should be known that one cannot emerge victorious from a war against Allah.