Q.

Assalamu Alaikum-

I need to know what the ruling of female circumcision is before I say things I may regret.  I believe I have already criticized and said things I regret about how female circumcision is not allowed because of what I have heard from ignorant people who present themselves knowledgeable.  Anyway, in my country, there is a wide practice of female circumcision.  What is the Islamic view, and specifically, what did the Allah Ta’aal command and his beloved (SAW) teach us?  Jazakalahu khair and may Allah subhana wataalah brighten your face in this world and in the hereafter!

Time: Wednesday October 7, 2009 at 9:39 pm

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There is nothing in the Quran or Hadith that stipulates circumcision is obligatory upon female. However, multiple viewpoints exist pertaining to female circumcision. It is viewed from the range of preferable to obligatory (obligatory would NOT be defined as fard, but rather as a highly recommended practice). As the Hadith of Umm Atiyyah states “A woman used to perform circumcisions in Medinah. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) advised her: “Do not cut (so) severely as that is better for the woman and more desirable for the husband.”(Abu Dawood)

Do not confuse matters:

Many confuse female circumcision with female mutilation. Cutting to the extent of a nick, or a little more cannot be equated to the practice of female mutilation of genitalia. Mutilation is forbidden in Islam. The manner in which certain cultures adhere to this practice is not part of Islam. Some cultures adhere to this practice in such a manner that a woman becomes deprived of adult related pleasures later on in life. Islam does not want any person deprived of halal pleasures. People that practice female circumcision without care and consideration, lack the skill and qualification to do so are in essence practicing that which is abhorrent and brutal. To do so with the intent to limit the pleasure of woman with the fallacy that she is promiscuous by nature, and must therefore be removed of her rightful gratification is haram. Such and similar thinking remain baseless.

No choice for men!

Overall, men do not suffer such loss of pleasure. For boys it is obligatory to have them circumcised in their childhood. Here obligatory would be defined as a necessary function for boys.

Choice for woman!

Female (and male) circumcision is allowed by qualified professionals without elements of brutality. It must occur without it facilitating pain later in persons life. If this cannot be ensured, then it is would best to not have it done upon the female. The idea of this  sunnah for woman is not pain or discomfort to the rest of their lives! The same excuse would not apply towards males. They must make a greater effort to make this sunnah possible.

For woman, if laws of a country oppose this practice for woman, laws of the country should be adhered to. Doing so would not be a sin.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

May Allah (Subhanahu Wata’Ala) accept your daus for all muslims, Ameen.