Female Circumcision Options

[Jim]

I am categorically opposed to female circumcision. It is a vile practice among many African regions and promoted by some Islamic scholars. I also heard a scholar from Al-Azhar university say that it is a favorable and recommended practice that serves the purpose to keep a woman chaste so that she doesn't desire the pleasures of sex and follow after them like western women do.

I think it is backwards, barbaric, harmful and against Islam altogether.

Here is a fatwah from Islam QA that supports it:

Praise be to Allaah. Just as Allaah has created mankind, He has also guided them that which is best suited to their interests in this world and in the Hereafter, so He sent them Messengers and revealed Books to guide mankind to what is good and urge them to follow it, and to teach them what is evil and warn them against it.

Islam may enjoin or forbid something and the people – or most of them – may not be able to see the wisdom behind this command or prohibition. In that case we are obliged to obey the command or heed the prohibition and to have certain faith that the laws of Allaah are all good, even if we cannot see the wisdom behind them.

Circumcision is one of the Sunnahs of the fitrah, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "The fitrah is five things – or five things are part of the fitrah – circumcision, shaving the pubes, plucking the armpit hairs, cutting the nails, and trimming the moustache." narrated by al-Bukhaari (5889) and Muslim (257).

Undoubtedly with regard to the Sunnahs of the fitrah, some of the wisdom behind them is obvious, and that includes circumcision. There are clear benefits to it which we should pay attention to and understand the wisdom behind it.

In the answer to question no. 9412 we have discussed circumcision, how it is to be done and the ruling on it. In the answer to question no. 7073 we have explained the health and shar’i benefits of circumcision for males.

Circumcision is prescribed for both males and females. The correct view is that circumcision is obligatory for males and that it is one of the symbols of Islam, and that circumcision of women is mustahabb but not obligatory.

There are reports in the Sunnah which indicate that circumcision for women is prescribed in Islam. In Madeenah there was a woman who circumcised women and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to her: “Do not go to the extreme in cutting; that is better for the woman and more liked by the husband.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (5271), classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Female circumcision has not been prescribed for no reason, rather there is wisdom behind it and it brings many benefits.

Mentioning some of these benefits, Dr. Haamid al-Ghawaabi says:

The secretions of the labia minora accumulate in uncircumcised women and turn rancid, so they develop an unpleasant odour which may lead to infections of the vagina or urethra. I have seen many cases of sickness caused by the lack of circumcision.

Circumcision reduces excessive sensitivity of the clitoris which may cause it to increase in size to 3 centimeters when aroused, which is very annoying to the husband, especially at the time of intercourse.

Another benefit of circumcision is that it prevents stimulation of the clitoris which makes it grow large in such a manner that it causes pain.

Circumcision prevents spasms of the clitoris which are a kind of inflammation.

Circumcision reduces excessive sexual desire.

Then Dr al-Ghawaabi refutes those who claim that female circumcision leads to frigidity by noting:

Frigidity has many causes, and this claim is not based on any sound statistics comparing circumcised women with uncircumcised women, except in the case of Pharaonic circumcision which is where the clitoris is excised completely. This does in fact lead to frigidity but it is contrary to the kind of circumcision enjoined by the Prophet of mercy (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said: “Do not destroy” i.e., do not uproot or excise. This alone is evidence that speaks for itself, because medicine at that time knew very little about this sensitive organ (the clitoris) and its nerves.

From Liwa’ al-Islam magazine, issue 8 and 10; article entitled Khitaan al-Banaat (circumcision of girls).

The female gynaecologist Sitt al-Banaat Khaalid says in an article entitled Khitaan al-Banaat Ru’yah Sihhiyyah (Female circumcision from a health point of view):

For us in the Muslim world female circumcision is, above all else, obedience to Islam, which means acting in accordance with the fitrah and following the Sunnah which encourages it. We all know the dimensions of Islam, and that everything in it must be good in all aspects, including health aspects. If the benefits are not apparent now, they will become known in the future, as has happened with regard to male circumcision – the world now knows its benefits and it has become widespread among all nations despite the opposition of some groups.

Then she mentioned some of the health benefits of female circumcision and said:

It takes away excessive libido from women

It prevents unpleasant odours which result from foul secretions beneath the prepuce.

It reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections

It reduces the incidence of infections of the reproductive system.

In the book on Traditions that affect the health of women and children, which was published by the World Health Organization in 1979 it says:

With regard to the type of female circumcision which involves removal of the prepuce of the clitoris, which is similar to male circumcision, no harmful health effects have been noted.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

[jaba]

I never liked Islam Q&A and here is another reason why

[Jim]

yeah.. every scholar I read on this admits its based on unauthentic hadith.

[Jim]

From Islamonline.net

There is nothing in the sources, either the Qur'an or the Sunnah, to suggest that it is a PRESCRIBED ritual of initiation for women in Islam.

While one finds a number of traditions from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, which clearly indicates that he ordered pagan males who converted to undergo circumcision, it is not stated anywhere that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered any woman who entered Islam to undergo this practice.

Because there is no absolute proof from the sources of Islam prescribing female circumcision, the vast majority of scholars do not include it in the OBLIGATORY rituals of Islam.

It is common knowledge in Islam that if the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had wanted female circumcision to be an integral aspect of religious practice in Islam the same way that male circumcision is, he would have said so clearly. Since he did not do so, we can safely assume it is not a prescribed ritual of Islam."

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satelli...d=1119503543886

[Coexist]

Yet another thing put off on women.... cover so men won't look at you. Men tend to 'look' more than women do. And this-Mutilate your genital area so you won't fall into illegal sexual practices. Men tend to be the ones who desire sex more than women.

These men tend to push their faults off on women, and in the worst ways. And what is worse, is that the women comply. No way in hell would I ever hold my daughter down, and let anyone cut her. Her future sex life is none of my business, but I will never agree to ruin her relations with her husband. Nor would I ever agree to torture a little girl in such a horrible way.

IslamQA... so many things I would like to say about them and their chauvinistic ways, but those who know me know what I'm thinking.

[Mai moslemah]

Islam QA, has a lot of fatwa which i dont agree about, it is more a salafi site.

I know also scholars from al Azhar who were against this culture even more they shared in a programme to stop it

[Jim]

Islam QA, has a lot of fatwa which i dont agree about, it is more a salafi site.

I know also scholars from al Azhar who were against this culture even more they shared in a programme to stop it

True Mai.

Al Azhar has a diverse scholar base; they dont all say the same things on a number of issues. So, this shouldnt reflect on the University I dont think.

[jazain]

mai, my husband told me that its illegal in egypt now....he actually had one sister who had it done but the younger one who came 10 years later....not, alhamdullilh.

i told him if anyone even TRIED to talk to me about such a lunatic idea with our daughter i would go to prison because i would go beserk on them.

[Honu]

Then she mentioned some of the health benefits of female circumcision and said:

It takes away excessive libido from women

That she gives this as the first reason is very telling.

[Rhoda]

Then she mentioned some of the health benefits of female circumcision and said:

It takes away excessive libido from women

It prevents unpleasant odours which result from foul secretions beneath the prepuce.

It reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections

It reduces the incidence of infections of the reproductive system.

She forgot to mention that abstaining from sex also brings about these results.

This topic makes me SO ANGRY.

I've never heard a man chastise his partner because of excessive libido. Has anyone?

This is a power thing, nothing else.

What's wrong with snipping the guy's thing some more so that HE doesn't have 'excessive libido?'

[LadyGarnetRose]

Why would a man want to have sex with a woman that receives no joy in the act?

I mean, really...

Think about it....

don't we call them Rapists?

[MagnaCarta]

This is the one that oozed ignorance to me:

Circumcision reduces excessive sensitivity of the clitoris which may cause it to increase in size to 3 centimeters when aroused, which is very annoying to the husband, especially at the time of intercourse.

These men are totally clueless, their women ARE perceived to be just cattle, for their pleasure only, and they treat them like such. Disgusting, dispicable mentality.

[elji]

i agree 100% with you magna

[Jim]

Well, again, this is a salafi fatwah and most all salafi will agree to this.

Women who are salafi or married to salafi's often are the one to bear the brunt of the burden to prevent men from acting on their sexual whims.

Thus why niqab is made obligatory, women are prevented from working and travelling, women (who are married to a salafi) cannot smile at non-maharam men even in an exchange of pleasantries while conducting business (say at the supermarket), when talking to non-maharam men they must distort their voice with rocks of marbles, and the list goes on.

lastly, sex is not seen as something to be enjoyed by a woman but for procreation instead. In this extreme view, women are not to have enjoyment in sex but to bear children. Enjoyment belongs to the man alone it seems in their view.

All of this of which is contrary to the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) and Islam.

[elji]

Yes BrJ but nearly all salafi women accept this and d will justify that this act is right for them.. if you challenge them on this note you will be viciously opposed by the women too lol

This post has been edited by elji: Jul 16 2008, 10:22 AM

[Jim]

Yes BrJ but nearly all salafi women accept this and d will justify that this act is right for them.. if you challenge them on this note you will be viciously opposed by the women too lol

Thats very true E. However, it wouldn't be the first time that a group of people allowed themselves to be victimized in the name of religion.

[burningmoon]

If men can be circumcised, why can't women be circumcised ?
It is permissible and I do not see anything wrong in it if it is done under proper medical supervision.
There are two problems, people sticking to traditional or tribal doctors who do not use safe methods and then the western media blowing it out of proportions.

For those self styled intellectuals who oppose it, instead of reading a fatwa, its better to read some fiqh and gain proper knowledge of such issues, instead of issuing emotional rants.

[Jim]

If men can be circumcised, why can't women be circumcised ?
It is permissible and I do not see anything wrong in it if it is done under proper medical supervision.
There are two problems, people sticking to traditional or tribal doctors who do not use safe methods and then the western media blowing it out of proportions.

For those self styled intellectuals who oppose it, instead of reading a fatwa, its better to read some fiqh and gain proper knowledge of such issues, instead of issuing emotional rants.

There is no justification in Islam for female circumcision.

It does not have the medical benefits as with men, most medical professionals caution against it as unsafe and unnecessary, it is harmful to women (source, page 47) and destroys the woman's ability to enjoy sexual relations within marriage, which is also against Islam.

Let me ask, which of the Prophet's wives or daughters were circumcised?

[Jim]

Short-term complications include severe pain and a risk for hemorrhage that can lead to shock and death. In addition, there is a very high risk for local and systemic infections, with documented reports of abscesses, ulcers, delayed healing, septicemia, tetanus, and gangrene.

Long-term complications include urine retention resulting in repeated urinary infections; obstruction of menstrual flow leading to frequent reproductive tract infections and infertility; and prolonged and obstructed labor. In addition to the physical complications, there are psychological and sexual effects.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/fgc.htm

Pay attention to the long term complications because these will exist regardless of it being a tribal or proper medical procedure. These complications exist after healing.

[Rhoda]

I do not see anything wrong in it if it is done under proper medical supervision.

Exactly who would provide this proper medical supervision? Not any doctor I know of. One who will should receive a prison term.

If an adult woman wants to pay to have this procedure done on herself, I have no problem with it, but harming a little girl in this fashion is despicable. It makes me want to believe in hell for the parents who permit it and the people who perform it. In any case, all should be jailed.

Moon, what do you think is the purpose of this procedure?