Female Circumcision in Islam: Understanding the Rules, Issues, and Benefits

Female Circumcision in Islam: A Comprehensive Guide

Circumcision of Women in Islam – Rules and Issues

Circumcision in Islam is a natural practice, but various questions are raised about it by non-Muslims, primarily due to their enmity towards Islam. They believe that circumcision is a distinct religious marker that makes it difficult for a Muslim to convert to other religions. However, due to its medical benefits, many non-Muslims also undergo circumcision. When it comes to the circumcision of women, non-Muslims tend to exaggerate the issue to incite hatred against Islam. Due to their false propaganda, some less educated or religiously unaware modern Muslims start to see the opposition of non-Muslims as valid and consider the circumcision of women as anti-Islamic and inhumane.

In my article, I am discussing the rules and issues related to the circumcision of women for the knowledge of my Muslim brothers so they can read and understand the truth, and not fall prey to any misconceptions. Several hadiths discuss the circumcision of women, and even the Sahihain (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) provide guidance on this matter. I am presenting these proofs to you, which indicate that there is evidence of circumcision for women.

According to a hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates: The Prophet (PBUH) said…

الفِطْرَةُ خَمْسٌ: الخِتَانُ، وَالِاسْتِحْدَادُ، وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ، وَتَقْلِيمُ الأظْفَارِ، وَنَتْفُ الآبَاطِ

Translation: "Five things are part of natural disposition: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, and plucking the underarm hair." (Sahih Bukhari: 5891)

In this hadith, five things are described as part of natural disposition, meaning that human nature demands these practices; thus, they are not against human nature but rather in accordance with it. Since women are not excluded from these five things, they are also included in this ruling, except for the mustache, which is specific to men.

Similarly, it is narrated in Sahih Muslim from Sayyida Aisha (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said…

إذا جَلَسَ بيْنَ شُعَبِها الأرْبَعِ ومَسَّ الخِتانُ الخِتانَ فقَدْ وجَبَ الغُسْل

Translation: “When a man sits between the four corners of a woman and the circumcised parts meet, then a ritual bath (Ghusl) becomes obligatory. (Sahih Muslim: 349) 

This hadith pertains to intimacy, and it does not explicitly mention the private parts but uses the term ‘circumcision,’ which indicates that women during the Prophet’s time used to undergo circumcision. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) has mentioned a hadith with this meaning in his Musnad.

When the two circumcised parts meet, Ghusl becomes obligatory.’ (Musnad: 26025)

Translation: ‘When one circumcised part meets another circumcised part, Ghusl becomes obligatory.’

The custom of female circumcision among Arab women during the Prophet’s time is also indicated in a hadith from Sahih Bukhari. In a lengthy hadith, it is mentioned that during the Battle of Uhud, when the two armies stood facing each other, Siba’ bin Abdul Uzza stepped forward from the Quraish ranks and challenged someone to fight. Upon this, Hazrat Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib (RA) came forward and said:

يا سِبَاعُ، يا ابْنَ أُمِّ أنْمَارٍ مُقَطِّعَةِ البُظُورِ، أتُحَادُّ اللَّهَ ورَسولَه صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ؟! قَالَ: ثُمَّ شَدَّ عليه، فَكانَ كَأَمْسِ الذَّاهِبِ

Translation: ‘O Siba’! O son of Umm Anmar, who circumcised women! Have you come to fight against Allah and His Messenger?’ Then he attacked him and made it as if it was yesterday that had passed.’ (Sahih Bukhari: 4072)

Therefore, among the Arabs, it was an insult to say ‘O son of the uncircumcised!’ meaning ‘son of one with more lust because she is not circumcised.’

Regarding female circumcision, a famous hadith has been narrated as follows:

أنَّ امرأةً كانت تختِنُ بالمدينةِ فقال لها النبيُّ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ لا تُنهِكي فإنَّ ذلك أحظى للمرأةِ وأحبُ إلى البَعلِ

Translation: Um Atiyyah Al-Ansariyyah (RA) reported: ‘A woman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Prophet (PBUH) said to her: “Lower the clitoris and do not cut it severely, for this is more pleasurable for the woman and more preferable for the husband.”‘ (Sahih Abi Dawood: 5271)

The chain of this hadith includes a narrator named Muhammad bin Hassan, who is unknown, making the chain weak. However, due to supporting evidence and follow-ups, Sheikh Albani has graded it as authentic.

Anas bin Malik (RA) narrated that a woman named Um Ayman used to perform circumcision in Medina. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to her:…”

إذا خفضْتِ فأَشِمِّي ولا تُنهِكي فإنه أسرى للوجهِ وأحظى للزوج

Translation: “When you perform circumcision on a girl, leave some of the skin and do not exaggerate in cutting because this action beautifies the face and makes her more acceptable to her husband.”

Narrated by Umm Alqama (may Allah have mercy on her):

أنَّ بناتَ أخي عائشةَ [ خُتِنَّ ] ، فَقيل لعائشةَ : ألا نَدعو لهنَّ من يُلهِيهِنَّ ؟ قالَت : بلَى ، فأرسَلتُ إلى عَدِىٍّ فأتاهُنَّ فمرَّتْ عائشةُ في البَيتِ فرأَتْه يتغنَّى ويُحرِّكُ رأسَه طرَبًا وكانَ ذا شَعرٍ كثيرٍ فقالَت : أُفٍّ ، شَيطانٌ ! أخرِجُوهُ ، أخرِجُوه

Translation: “The nieces of Aisha (RA) were circumcised. So, Aisha (RA) was asked: ‘Should we not invite someone to entertain them?’ She replied: ‘Yes.’ So, they sent for Adi, who came to entertain them. Aisha (RA) passed by the house and saw him singing and moving his head in delight. He had a lot of hair. Aisha (RA) said: ‘Ugh! A devil! Take him out, take him out!'” (Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad: 945)

After mentioning these evidences, I consider it trustworthy to mention the statement of the author of “Aun al-Ma’bud,” who gathered the hadiths regarding female circumcision and concluded: “The hadiths related to female circumcision are narrated through various chains, but they are all weak, defective, and flawed. Thus, relying on them as evidence is not correct, as you have understood. Ibn al-Mundhir said: ‘There is no hadith concerning circumcision that can be referred to, nor is there any Sunnah to be followed.’ Ibn Abd al-Barr said in ‘At-Tamhid’: ‘The consensus among Muslims is that circumcision is for men.'” (Aun al-Ma’bud: 4/543)

The truth is that even if we disregard the hadiths deemed weak, the narrations in Sahihain (Bukhari and Muslim) still indicate the permissibility of female circumcision. In fact, the narration in Sahih Muslim, which mentions the word “circumcision,” is clear evidence of the permissibility of female circumcision.

Ruling on Female Circumcision:

 There is a difference of opinion regarding the ruling. One opinion is that it is obligatory for both men and women. Another opinion is that it is recommended (Sunnah) for both. The third opinion is that it is obligatory for men and recommended or desirable for women. The third opinion is strong and preferred, meaning that circumcision is recommended for women, and most scholars have adopted this view. Based on this, we would say that if a Muslim woman undergoes circumcision, there is no harm, and if she does not, there is no sin either.

Location, Method, and Time for Circumcision: A portion of the skin that is above the urinary opening and resembles the crest of a rooster is to be cut, but not excessively, meaning the skin should not be cut from the root. A part of it should be removed, as mentioned in the above narrations from Abu Dawood and the Silsilah Sahihah. In different countries, circumcision is performed in various ways that deviate from the Sunnah; some methods are even painful. Therefore, circumcision should only be performed by a knowledgeable and skilled Muslim woman. The appropriate and best time for circumcision is during childhood, as the wound heals quickly, and there is less sensation of pain.

Wisdom and Benefits of Female Circumcision: Circumcision brings a woman’s desires to moderation and enhances pleasure for both husband and wife. From a medical perspective, Muslim physicians and scholars have mentioned various benefits. For example, if the crest becomes large, it may lead to a lack of pleasure or concern for the husband. Removing this crest reduces the risk of dirt accumulation, odor, and infection underneath. A significant benefit is the ease of urination, as this skin covers the urinary opening, making urination difficult. It also protects against many sexual diseases, urinary tract infections, and cancer of the urinary tract and uterus.

Human Health and Female Circumcision: From the above points, we have learned that circumcision was a common practice among Arab women. If it posed a risk of death or was oppressive to women, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would certainly have prohibited it. However, there is no evidence of such prohibition. Thus, the command of the Prophet ﷺ is sufficient for us, indicating that this practice is neither oppressive to women nor a cause of their demise. Islamic teachings are in accordance with nature and are beneficial for humanity. The minor discomfort of circumcision is not objectionable when considering the pursuit of perfection and significant benefits. Some medical institutions have termed female circumcision as harmful and oppressive, leading to bans in various countries, with severe enforcement and penalties in some cases. In reality, these medical reports may reflect religious antagonism and opposition to Islam, or they could be the result of false complaints from malicious individuals. They might also arise from non-Sunnah, oppressive methods of circumcision (as some circumcision practices are incorrect and painful, which has no relation to Islam), lack of expertise in circumcision, or even attempts to discredit Islam by associating it with natural diseases. Circumcision is also practiced in other religions, and objections might stem from their oppressive methods. Thus, it is incorrect to categorically claim that female circumcision is oppressive and harmful based solely on medical reports. Consider that every type of surgery, whether minor or major, involves some degree of pain and risk, yet major surgeries are performed when necessary and are considered minor due to the availability of modern tools and facilities. Why then is there such an uproar over a minor procedure like circumcision?

Receiving Payment for Circumcision: The circumcision should be performed by a skilled practitioner or a medical professional specialized in the procedure, adhering to the Sunnah. Therefore, performing this procedure as a profession and receiving payment for it is permissible and there is no harm in it.