Female Circumcision_ Does It Exist in Islam

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Originally sent: 4/19/2025 3:22 PM

No

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Islam: Refuting Common Misconceptions

A Thread…🧵

Female Genital Mutilation is an immoral act that involves cutting away the external female sexual organs including the clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora which causes infection, severe bleeding, unnecessary pain, diminished sexual pleassure for the woman, and even death.

Unfortunately, such an act has become widespread in many african countries and is a widespread problem. Critics of Islam have drawn parrellels between the act of Female Circumcisions allowed in classical Islamic jurisprudence and the barbarism of FGM.

However, not only is there no real strong scriptural evidence in support for FC in Islam itself, but also the type of FC that is known in Islamic law is much different than FGM. So, without further introductions, let’s begin clearing this misconception.

1️⃣ Firstly, there Are Two Viewpoints regarding FC in Islam

1. Classical Position: FC is encouraged with the difference of opinion being whether it is obligatory or not.
2. Contemporary Position: FC is completely prohibited if it leads to harm (Azhar’s position).

Now, one might claim that the classical position is barbaric and requires reform. However, this is due to the misconception that the type of FC referred to by classical scholars is that of FGM, which is not true.

Here, Ibn Al-Qayim explains the correct way that FC should be done, and this seems to be the prevailing classical understanding from what I have read.

What Ibn Qayim refers to here is called “Clitoral Hood Reduction,” which is very different from FGM and is actually legal in the USA and other Western countries.

Available Scientific Evidence Suggests that Clitoral Hood Reduction Not Only Lacks Significant Risk Unique to the Procedure but Also Could Result in Improved Sexual Sensation

What makes Clitoral Hood Reduction different than FGM is that in FGM, the clitoris itself and other important organs are cut entirely, which something like Clitoral Hood Reduction only removes the skin that covers the clitoris while keeping the clitoris.

If we can draw a parallel between Clitoral Hood Reduction and Male Circumcision, we would say that just like how only the forskin of the penis glands are cut to expose the gland itself, clitoral hood reduction cuts the skin that covers the clitoris itself to expose it.

FGM, where the clitoris and labia get cut, would be akin to the male penis gland itself being cut, which is castration (prohibited by the consensus of classical and contemporary scholars).

2️⃣ Secondly, there Truly is No Strong Scriptural Evidence that even FC is Obligatory or Encouraged. Before We Get to That, We Would Say that FGM (not FC) is Completely Prohibited because it is Not FC, and it is a Type of Castration that Leads to Incredible Harm

Now, there are 3 hadiths that are used to support FC. These hadiths are:

The first hadith is not generalized but is meant for men specifically. The reason is that it mentions trimming the mustache, which women don’t grow long mutasches to trim. Therefore, there are parts of the hadith that apply for both genders (like cutting the nails)…

…and there are parts that apply only for men (like trimming the mustache). Now, circumcision may apply for both, but IF and only IF it’s evident that such a practice is harmful for women (which is not in FC), then the correct understanding would be to specify it to men only.

The second hadith actually supports the understanding that what FC is in Islam is akin to Clitoral Hood Reduction and not FGM or Castration. But in either case, the hadith is weak as provided at the end of it. This video also says the same thing in Arabic.

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فتاوى الشيخ مصطفى العدوي

صحة حديث اشمي ولا تنهكي ؟ ؟ الشيخ مصط…

The third hadith only describes that people who are married and circumcised should bathe after intercourse and it does not encourage it nor discourgae it. The hadith doesn’t say anything about the permissiblity of it. Therefore, it can’t be used as good evidence for FC.

SUMMARY

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1. FC in Islamic Jurisdicprudence is not the same as FGM and does not lead to any harm. Rather, it may have many benefits if done correctly by a medical professional.

2. There is no stronge scriptural evidence that encourages FC, even though it is not harmful.

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