Re: Female Circumcision
*CIRCUMCISION OF GIRLS *
It is clear that circumcision for boys is obligatory. However, does this apply to females or is it particular to the males? This is what we will discover - if Allah wills.
With regard to females then the scholars have three opinions:
(1) Some scholars - such as the Shaafi'ees, and a narration from Ahmad hold that it is obligatory upon the females.
(2) The majority - such as the Hanafees, the Maalikees, the Hanbalees and others - hold that it is prescribed for women and is recommended (mustahabb).
(3) Others hold that it is not prescribed for them (at all) - and this is a weak saying.
*Discussion and Arrival at the Preferred View *
Perhaps the closest of the sayings to the truth - and Allah knows best - is that circumcision is prescribed for women and allowed for them but it is not an obligation, and that is due to the following:
(1) The Prophet's saying: "When the two circumcised parts unite (in sexual contact) then bathing becomes obligatory." [Saheeh: Reported by Ahmad and al-Baihaqee (Saheehul-Jaami':385)] is a proof of its prescription and permissibility for women, since the two circumcised parts are those of the male and those of the female. Ahmad said: "This shows that the women used to be circumcised."
(2) The saying of the Messenger (peace be upon him) in the hadeeth of Umm 'Atiyyah to a female circumciser: "When you circumcise then do not cut severely, since that is better for her and more pleasing to the husband." [Reported by Abu Dawood and al-Baihaqee and declared 'hasan' by Shaikh al-Albaanee in 'as-Saheehah (No. 722)]
(3) And to those who declare it to be obligatory upon the women, then it is said: Rather the order refers to the men and it is not correct to transfer the ruling to the women, since they differ from men in their nature and constitution and there is no proof for its obligation upon them except for an analogy - and that cannot be applied here as we have mentioned.
(4) As for the hadeeth of Umm 'Atiyyah then it shows no more than an allowance as has preceded, not an obligation - and Allah knows best.
*Discussion about the Circumcision of Girls *
Some doctors and others try to belittle female circumcision and claim that it is harmful, an evil custom and is detrimental to health. However, this is a false claim since a number of doctors have affirmed that it produces a number of benefits, some of which we will mention when discussing the wisdom of circumcision.
The harm that is attributed to this operation cannot be ascribed to circumcision itself, rather to two matters:
(i) Cutting too severely - as occurs in some Islamic lands - such that the clitoris or its hood is totally removed, indeed sometimes even the outer lips (labia) are removed and the vaginal orifice closed. It is essential to point out here that this is not the prescribed Sharee'ah method of circumcision but rather a barbaric act rejected by Islam and forbidden by the Messenger (peace be upon him) who warned against it saying: "When you circumcise then do not do so severely ..."
(ii) Or the harm is also due to this operation being carried out by those who do not specialize in this field, or by the use of unsterilized instruments which causes infection or harmful illnesses.
So when we consider this harm, we find that it is not caused by circumcision itself, but rather by contradicting the text forbidding cutting severely, or by using unhygienic instruments, and this cannot be used to prevent the operation itself - if properly performed - since if male circumcision were to be performed by cutting to excess or with unhygienic instruments - then that would also be detested and rejected. So would this be a reason to prevent male circumcision so the same goes with regard to females.
So from what has preceded it becomes clear that female circumcision - if done correctly - such that the cutting is limited, and done with proper instruments - is something prescribed and produces health and psychological benefits - and is far removed for harmful effects or danger.
Female circumcision shares some of the (physical) benefits of male circumcision, and has extra benefits particular to it - some of them being mentioned by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who said that it is: "Better for the woman and more pleasing to the husband" and that it is: "Better for the face and more pleasing to the husband" [Reported by al-Baihaqee ('as-Saheehah' No. 722)]
And as is known these benefits do not reach the level of importance of the benefits of male circumcision. However, they are benefits and productive of good effects.
Here are some of the benefits which have been discovered:
(i) A reduction of infections resulting from microbes gathering under the hood of the clitoris.
(ii) Attacks of herpes and genital ulcers are less severe and less harmful with men and women who have been circumcised.
(iii) A further benefit that is apparent for them and more so for their husbands, is that women of hot climates often have a large clitoris which arouses their desires when it rubs against the adjacent clothing. It may even grow to such a size that sexual intercourse is not possible. Therefore, circumcision reduces her desires and their effects in the first case, and makes intercourse possible in the second. [Adapted from an article in 'al-Mujtami' magazine entitled: 'Circumcision and Modern Illness' No. 931]