There
is much talk of homosexuality, and how much it is forbidden. I find this
topic “almost” totaly solved. You say it is haram to be a
homosexual. The are two main factors which come to mind. My question is,
is the act of having homosexual relations haram, or the though of being
homosexual/having homosexual thoughts? Is there a way to repent for those
unfortunate?

Praise be to Allaah. 

There
is no doubt that homosexuality and lesbianism are forbidden, as mentioned
in the question, and doing these actions is a major sin which deserves the
wrath of the Lord and His painful punishment. The Lawgiver is wise and
does not forbid anything to people unless it is harmful and damaging to
them in this world and in the Hereafter. As far as merely thinking about
such sins is concerned, a person will not be punished for that, so long as
he does not do it or talk about it, as the Prophet
(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah will forgive my Ummah for
whatever crosses their minds, so long as they do not act upon it or speak
about it.

 But
thinking a lot about something could lead to a person doing it; at the
very least it distracts a person from thinking about something useful that
he could do. The scholars of Islam used to call for reform of one’s
thinking and striving against bad thoughts, because they may gradually
lead one to disastrous consequences. The “doctor of the hearts” Ibn
al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Ward
off passing thoughts, for if you do not, they will become ideas. Ward off
ideas, for if you do not, they will become desires. Fight them, for if you
do not, they will become resolve and determination, and if you do not ward
them off, they will become actions. If you do not resist them with their
opposite, they will become habits and it will be difficult for you to get
rid of them.” (Al-Fawaa’id
by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 33).

 The
way to repent is clear: give up the sin immediately; regret what has
happened; resolve never to go back to it; do a lot of good deeds, for they
wipe out bad deeds; keep away from the people with whom you used to commit
this sin and shun them if they do not repent; keep away from bad company
and everything that calls you to this sin. And Allaah will accept the
repentance of those who repent to Him.