What is the ruling on the circumcision of a girl?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on the circumcision of a girl?
The Shaykh : The circumcision of women is a recommended practice (sunnah) that was well known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In his time (peace and blessings be upon him), there were women who performed the circumcision of women. Therefore, the aforementioned hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) states that he instructed a circumciser—and I believe it was Umm Atiyyah—that when she circumcises a woman, she should not exaggerate in the circumcision. He (peace and blessings be upon him) explained that this is more beautiful for the face and more pleasing to the husband. This hadith and what is similar to it clarify that circumcision:
First: It was well known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Second: He approved of it.
Third—and finally: He directed the circumciser—also called a *khafadhdhah*—and taught her not to exaggerate in the circumcision of a woman.
It is likely known to all that the circumcision of a woman means cutting a piece of flesh that is usually located above the organ. This piece is usually found in women from hot countries, whereas it is rarely found in women from cold countries. Consequently, circumcision varies from one woman to another. The general rule is based on hot and cold countries. If a woman does not have that extra piece of flesh, she is not in need of being circumcised at that time. Conversely, if that piece is present in the woman or the girl, then she is the one who is circumcised. In doing so, one must observe what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicated regarding not exaggerating in the cutting. Not exaggerating in the cutting means that if there is only a slight amount, there is no circumcision; and if there is an excess, then that excess is what is cut.
This is the summary of what can be said about the circumcision of a woman: it is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the woman who is in need of circumcision. As for the other, there is no need for it, so it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) for her.
The Shaykh : The circumcision of women is a recommended practice (sunnah) that was well known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In his time (peace and blessings be upon him), there were women who performed the circumcision of women. Therefore, the aforementioned hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) states that he instructed a circumciser—and I believe it was Umm Atiyyah—that when she circumcises a woman, she should not exaggerate in the circumcision. He (peace and blessings be upon him) explained that this is more beautiful for the face and more pleasing to the husband. This hadith and what is similar to it clarify that circumcision:
First: It was well known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Second: He approved of it.
Third—and finally: He directed the circumciser—also called a *khafadhdhah*—and taught her not to exaggerate in the circumcision of a woman.
It is likely known to all that the circumcision of a woman means cutting a piece of flesh that is usually located above the organ. This piece is usually found in women from hot countries, whereas it is rarely found in women from cold countries. Consequently, circumcision varies from one woman to another. The general rule is based on hot and cold countries. If a woman does not have that extra piece of flesh, she is not in need of being circumcised at that time. Conversely, if that piece is present in the woman or the girl, then she is the one who is circumcised. In doing so, one must observe what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicated regarding not exaggerating in the cutting. Not exaggerating in the cutting means that if there is only a slight amount, there is no circumcision; and if there is an excess, then that excess is what is cut.
This is the summary of what can be said about the circumcision of a woman: it is a recommended practice (sunnah) for the woman who is in need of circumcision. As for the other, there is no need for it, so it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) for her.
Source
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The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.