2,743
edits
Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Female Genital Mutilation: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Female Genital Mutilation (view source)
Revision as of 23:35, 29 January 2023
, 29 January 2023Kecia Ali's observations on FGM added to intro + Muslim efforts to stop FGM + sources of help for those at risk
| [checked revision] | [checked revision] |
No edit summary |
Lightyears (talk | contribs) (Kecia Ali's observations on FGM added to intro + Muslim efforts to stop FGM + sources of help for those at risk) |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
The [[Banu Qurayza|Banu Quraysh]], Muhammad's native tribe, appears to have practiced FGM. Muhammad maintained the practice after migrating to Medina and is recorded as approving of the practice in four hadith. Two other hadith record the [[sahabah]] (Companions of Mohammed) engaging in the practice. The FGM hadith give very few clues as to ''the nature'' of the practice they approve. Hence the nature, incidence and distribution of FGM varies between countries and communities. The most significant determining factor appears to be the presiding school of Islam (fiqh). Other factors include the culture's level of anxiety around female sexuality, its proximity to Islamic slave-trade routes (Infibulation is associated with the transportation of slaves), and the nature and degree of historical Christian influence (which tends to eliminate FGM). | The [[Banu Qurayza|Banu Quraysh]], Muhammad's native tribe, appears to have practiced FGM. Muhammad maintained the practice after migrating to Medina and is recorded as approving of the practice in four hadith. Two other hadith record the [[sahabah]] (Companions of Mohammed) engaging in the practice. The FGM hadith give very few clues as to ''the nature'' of the practice they approve. Hence the nature, incidence and distribution of FGM varies between countries and communities. The most significant determining factor appears to be the presiding school of Islam (fiqh). Other factors include the culture's level of anxiety around female sexuality, its proximity to Islamic slave-trade routes (Infibulation is associated with the transportation of slaves), and the nature and degree of historical Christian influence (which tends to eliminate FGM). | ||
It should be noted that those who practice FGM refer to it as '''Female Circumcision''' rather than '''Female Genital Mutilation.''' The Hadith and fatwas reproduced on this page are translations. Which term is used is generally the translator's choice, rather than that of the text's original author. | Professor Kecia Ali remarks that "female circumcision of some type is either recommended or required by the dominant classical view of all Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and seems to have been generally approved by Shi'i jurists as well."<ref>Kecia Ali, ''Sexual Ethics in Islam'', England: Oneworld Publications, p. 102</ref> She also observes that in the Shafi'i school it is obligatory, which may explain why the practice occurs among Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia where that school is pre-eminent and seems not to have existed there before Islam. In other regions where FGM more commonly occurs, Ali says it was a pre-existing custom, while in most parts of the Muslim World FGM is not generally practised.<ref>Ibid. p. 100</ref> In modern times an increasing number of Muslim activist groups and even fatwas have attempted to reduce the occurrence of FGM. Help and advice for those at risk is available from a number of sources.<ref>For example, in the UK the Metropolitan Police maintain [https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fgm/fgm-support-organisations/ a list of organisations] aiming to help those at risk of FGM</BR>A list of international organizations can be found [https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/organizations-fighting-female-genital-mutilation/ here]</ref> | ||
It should be noted that those who practice FGM refer to it as '''Female Circumcision''' rather than '''Female Genital Mutilation.''' The Hadith and fatwas reproduced on this page are translations. Which term is used is generally the translator's choice, rather than that of the text's original author. | |||
==Hadith== | ==Hadith== | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|7|72|777}}; See also {{Muslim|2|495}}|Abu Hurayrah said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The fitrah is five things – or five things are part of the fitrah – '''circumcision''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan], shaving the pubes, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the armpit hairs.”}} | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|7|72|777}}; See also {{Muslim|2|495}}|Abu Hurayrah said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The fitrah is five things – or five things are part of the fitrah – '''circumcision''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan], shaving the pubes, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the armpit hairs.”}} | ||
{{Quote|Ahmad Ibn Hanbal | {{Quote|Ahmad Ibn Hanbal 20:719; Al-Baihaqqy 8:324|Abu al- Malih ibn `Usama's father relates that the Prophet said: "'''Circumcision''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan] is a law for men and a preservation of honour for women'."}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|41|5251}}|Narrated Umm Atiyyah al-Ansariyyah: A woman used to perform '''circumcision''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan] in Medina. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to her: "Do not cut severely as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband".}} | {{Quote|{{Abu Dawud|41|5251}}|Narrated Umm Atiyyah al-Ansariyyah: A woman used to perform '''circumcision''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan] in Medina. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to her: "Do not cut severely as that is better for a woman and more desirable for a husband".}} | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim|3|684}}; see also {{Bukhari|1|5|289}}|Abu Musa reported: There cropped up a difference of opinion between a group of Muhajirs (Emigrants and a group of Ansar (Helpers) (and the point of dispute was) that the Ansar said: The bath (because of sexual intercourse) becomes obligatory only-when the semen spurts out or ejaculates. But the Muhajirs said: When a man has sexual intercourse (with the woman), a bath becomes obligatory (no matter whether or not there is seminal emission or ejaculation). Abu Musa said: Well, I satisfy you on this (issue). He (Abu Musa, the narrator) said: I got up (and went) to 'A'isha and sought her permission and it was granted, and I said to her: 0 Mother, or Mother of the Faithful, I want to ask you about a matter on which I feel shy. She said: Don't feel shy of asking me about a thing which you can ask your mother, who gave you birth, for I am too your mother. Upon this I said: What makes a bath obligatory for a person? She replied: You have come across one well informed! The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When anyone sits amidst four parts (of the woman) and the '''circumcised''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan] | {{Quote|{{Muslim|3|684}}; see also {{Bukhari|1|5|289}}|Abu Musa reported: There cropped up a difference of opinion between a group of Muhajirs (Emigrants and a group of Ansar (Helpers) (and the point of dispute was) that the Ansar said: The bath (because of sexual intercourse) becomes obligatory only-when the semen spurts out or ejaculates. But the Muhajirs said: When a man has sexual intercourse (with the woman), a bath becomes obligatory (no matter whether or not there is seminal emission or ejaculation). Abu Musa said: Well, I satisfy you on this (issue). He (Abu Musa, the narrator) said: I got up (and went) to 'A'isha and sought her permission and it was granted, and I said to her: 0 Mother, or Mother of the Faithful, I want to ask you about a matter on which I feel shy. She said: Don't feel shy of asking me about a thing which you can ask your mother, who gave you birth, for I am too your mother. Upon this I said: What makes a bath obligatory for a person? She replied: You have come across one well informed! The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When anyone sits amidst four parts (of the woman) and the '''circumcised''' [الْخِتَانُ - khitan] | ||
parts touch each other a bath becomes obligatory.}}To '<nowiki/>'''sit amidst four parts'<nowiki/>''' of a woman is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.{{Quote|[https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:108 Jami` at-Tirmidhi 108]|"[Abu Musa has told us that Muhammad bin Almuthanna has told him that Alwaleed Bin Muslim, from Al-Awza'i, from Abdulrahman bin Alqasim from his father from Aisha]: when the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."}}<br />{{Quote|{{Bukhari|5|59|399}}|“[…]Then 'Ubaidullah uncovered his face and said (to Wahshi), "Will you tell us (the story of) the killing of Hamza?" Wahshi replied "Yes, Hamza killed Tuaima bin `Adi bin Al-Khaiyar at Badr (battle) so my master, Jubair bin Mut`im said to me, 'If you kill Hamza in revenge for my uncle, then you will be set free." When the people set out (for the battle of Uhud) in the year of 'Ainain..'Ainain is a mountain near the mountain of Uhud, and between it and Uhud there is a valley.. I went out with the people for the battle. When the army aligned for the fight, Siba’ came out and said, ‘Is there any (Muslim) to accept my challenge to a duel?’ Hamza bin `Abdul Muttalib came out and said, ‘O Siba’. O Ibn Um Anmar, '''the one who circumcises''' [أَنْمَارٍ مُقَطِّعَةِ الْبُظُورِ - muqaṭwiʿaẗi al-ْbuẓūri] other ladies! Do you challenge Allah and His Apostle?’ Then Hamza attacked and killed him, causing him to be non-extant like the bygone yesterday […]”}}أَنْمَارٍ مُقَطِّعَةِ الْبُظُورِ (muqaṭwiʿaẗi al-ْbuẓūri) translates as 'cutter of clitorises'. {{Quote|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224161518/https%3A%2F%2Fsunnah.com%2Fadab%2F53%2F4 Al-Adab Al-Mufrad book 1, hadith 1247]|2=“Umm ‘Alqama related that when the daughters of ‘A’isha’s brother were '''circumcised''' [اخْتُتِنَّ - khitan], ‘A’isha was asked, “Shall we call someone to amuse them?” “Yes,” she replied. ‘Adi was sent for and he came to them. ‘A’isha passed by the room and saw him singing and shaking his head in rapture – and he had a large head of hair. ‘Uff!’ she exclaimed, ‘A shaytan! Get him out! Get him out!'””}} | parts touch each other a bath becomes obligatory.}}To '<nowiki/>'''sit amidst four parts'<nowiki/>''' of a woman is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.{{Quote|[https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:108 Jami` at-Tirmidhi 108]|"[Abu Musa has told us that Muhammad bin Almuthanna has told him that Alwaleed Bin Muslim, from Al-Awza'i, from Abdulrahman bin Alqasim from his father from Aisha]: when the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."}}<br />{{Quote|{{Bukhari|5|59|399}}|“[…]Then 'Ubaidullah uncovered his face and said (to Wahshi), "Will you tell us (the story of) the killing of Hamza?" Wahshi replied "Yes, Hamza killed Tuaima bin `Adi bin Al-Khaiyar at Badr (battle) so my master, Jubair bin Mut`im said to me, 'If you kill Hamza in revenge for my uncle, then you will be set free." When the people set out (for the battle of Uhud) in the year of 'Ainain..'Ainain is a mountain near the mountain of Uhud, and between it and Uhud there is a valley.. I went out with the people for the battle. When the army aligned for the fight, Siba’ came out and said, ‘Is there any (Muslim) to accept my challenge to a duel?’ Hamza bin `Abdul Muttalib came out and said, ‘O Siba’. O Ibn Um Anmar, '''the one who circumcises''' [أَنْمَارٍ مُقَطِّعَةِ الْبُظُورِ - muqaṭwiʿaẗi al-ْbuẓūri] other ladies! Do you challenge Allah and His Apostle?’ Then Hamza attacked and killed him, causing him to be non-extant like the bygone yesterday […]”}}أَنْمَارٍ مُقَطِّعَةِ الْبُظُورِ (muqaṭwiʿaẗi al-ْbuẓūri) translates as 'cutter of clitorises'. {{Quote|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224161518/https%3A%2F%2Fsunnah.com%2Fadab%2F53%2F4 Al-Adab Al-Mufrad book 1, hadith 1247]|2=“Umm ‘Alqama related that when the daughters of ‘A’isha’s brother were '''circumcised''' [اخْتُتِنَّ - khitan], ‘A’isha was asked, “Shall we call someone to amuse them?” “Yes,” she replied. ‘Adi was sent for and he came to them. ‘A’isha passed by the room and saw him singing and shaking his head in rapture – and he had a large head of hair. ‘Uff!’ she exclaimed, ‘A shaytan! Get him out! Get him out!'””}}{{Quote|Mukhtassar Zawa’id Musnad Al -Bazzar of Ibn Hajar, Item 1227, I, 669|[Muhammad said] “Oh women of the Ansâr! Apply henna and circumcise [فَاخْفِضُو - khaffad]! But do not exaggerate for it is more pleasing for your women folks when they are with their husbands."}} | ||
فَاخْفِضُو (khaffad) also translates as 'lower them' or 'trim them'.{{Quote|[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224161859/https%3A%2F%2Fsunnah.com%2Fadab%2F53%2F2 Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, book 1, hadith 1245]|An old woman from Kufa, the grandmother of 'Ali ibn Ghurab, reported that Umm al-Muhajir said, "I was captured with some girls from Byzantium. 'Uthman offered us Islam, but only myself and one other girl accepted Islam. 'Uthman said, "Go and '''circumcise''' [فَاخْفِضُو - khaffad] them and purify them."'}} | |||
{{Quote|[https://web.archive.org/web/20220224161859/https%3A%2F%2Fsunnah.com%2Fadab%2F53%2F2 Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, book 1, hadith 1245]|An old woman from Kufa, the grandmother of 'Ali ibn Ghurab, reported that Umm al-Muhajir said, "I was captured with some girls from Byzantium. 'Uthman offered us Islam, but only myself and one other girl accepted Islam. 'Uthman said, "Go and '''circumcise''' [فَاخْفِضُو - khaffad] them and purify them."'}} | |||
==Scholars== | ==Scholars== | ||
===Maliki Madhab=== | ===Maliki Madhab=== | ||