Excessive Circumcision of Girls Is Not Permissible
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Fatwa No. ( 20118 )
Q: We are Somali Muslim women living in Canada , and we suffer greatly from a practice imposed on us by custom and tradition, namely Pharaonic circumcision, in which the circumciser removes the entire clitoris along with part of the small labia and most of the large labia, which amounts to the removal of all of the woman’s external genitalia, resulting in complete disfigurement of the vulva. Afterwards, the opening is sewn shut entirely, which is known as (infibulation), causing the woman severe pain on her wedding night and during childbirth. In many cases, the situation requires surgical intervention. It also leads to sexual coldness and causes medical complications that result in the loss of the woman’s life, health, or ability to bear children. We have attached a portion of the medical research that demonstrates this. We want to know the ruling of the Shari'ah on this act, and your ruling is the key to saving Muslim women in many countries. May Allah guide you and reward you, and make you a treasure for Muslims and Muslim women.
A: If the situation is as described, then this circumcision is not permissible in the manner described, due to the severe harm it causes to the woman. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 2340Da'if (Darussalam) . The prescribed circumcision is to remove a small portion of the skin above the site of penetration, not the whole of it; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the circumciser,
who is the one who circumcises females: narrated by al-Hakim and al-Tabarani and others. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We are Somali Muslim women living in Canada , and we suffer greatly from a practice imposed on us by custom and tradition, namely Pharaonic circumcision, in which the circumciser removes the entire clitoris along with part of the small labia and most of the large labia, which amounts to the removal of all of the woman’s external genitalia, resulting in complete disfigurement of the vulva. Afterwards, the opening is sewn shut entirely, which is known as (infibulation), causing the woman severe pain on her wedding night and during childbirth. In many cases, the situation requires surgical intervention. It also leads to sexual coldness and causes medical complications that result in the loss of the woman’s life, health, or ability to bear children. We have attached a portion of the medical research that demonstrates this. We want to know the ruling of the Shari'ah on this act, and your ruling is the key to saving Muslim women in many countries. May Allah guide you and reward you, and make you a treasure for Muslims and Muslim women.
A: If the situation is as described, then this circumcision is not permissible in the manner described, due to the severe harm it causes to the woman. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
It was narrated from 'Ubadah bin Samit that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) ruled: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”
لا ضرر ولا ضرارwho is the one who circumcises females:
Trim it, but do not cut deeply, for it is more beautiful for the face and more pleasing to the husband.
أشمي ولا تنهكي، فإنه أبهى للوجه وأحظى عند الزوج
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.