Is foreplay between two young men without penetration considered sodomy (liwat), and what is its ruling?

Sodomy, Islamically, is the insertion of the glans (the sensitive tip of the male organ) into the anus of another male. As for physical contact between two men, or the insertion of only part of the glans, or its insertion into a female, these do not constitute sodomy that necessitates a hadd punishment. However, they are among the gravely forbidden acts, based on Allah's saying: "And those who guard their private parts, (5) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed – (6) But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors" (Al-Mu'minun: 5-7). Such acts involve deviance and a contravention of natural disposition (fitra).