What does Islam say about female circumcision?
In Islam, the topic of female circumcision is addressed in various hadiths and interpretations. One narration from Sunan Abu Dawud recounts an incident involving the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, where a woman was undergoing female circumcision in Medina. The Prophet ﷺ advised her: Do not cut excessively, for that is more beneficial for the woman and more pleasing to her husband.
Sunan Abu Dawud 43:499 This suggests that while there may be a practice of circumcision, the Prophet emphasized moderation and consideration for the woman's well-being.
Additionally, in Al-Kafi, there is a narration where Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) was asked about a slave girl captured from the land of idolatry who becomes Muslim and is sought for genital lowering. He stated: The tradition of circumcision is for men, not for women.
Al-Kafi 1:143 This indicates a perspective that female circumcision is not an obligatory practice in Islam and that it is primarily associated with male circumcision.
These sources reflect the differing views on the practice, with an emphasis on moderation and the consideration of women's health and preferences.
Sources
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Sunan Abu Dawud 43:499
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 43, Hadith 499 · Narrated by Um Atiya al-Ansariyya
A woman was undergoing female circumcision in Medina, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to her: 'Do not cut excessively, for that is more beneficial for the woman and more pleasing to her husband.'
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Al-Kafi 1:143
Al-Kafi · Book 1, Hadith 143
God Almighty revealed to David (peace be upon him): No servant among My servants clings to Me besides any other of My creation, and I know that from his intention, but the heavens and earth and all within them conspire against him. I make for him a way out from between them. No servant among My servants clings to any of My creation, and I know that from his intention, except I cut off the means of the heavens and the earth from his hands, and I make the earth spacious beneath him, and I do not care about any valley of destruction. — OR — I asked him about wiping the feet; he placed his palm on the toes and wiped them to the heels on the back of the foot. I said: May I be sacrificed for you, if a man said he wiped with two fingers like this? He said: No, it must be done with the palm. — OR — He said: Whoever is greatly blessed by favor will find people’s hostility strong toward him, but if he bears their hostility, he will gain an increase of favor from God. If not, then he has exposed the favor to its removal. — OR — The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Whoever seeks the approval of people by doing what angers Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, will be among the blameworthy of the people. And whoever prefers obedience to Allah over angering the people, Allah suffices him against the hostility of every enemy, envy of every envious person, oppression of every oppressor, and Allah will be his supporter and helper." — OR — I asked Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) about a slave girl captured from the land of idolatry who becomes Muslim and is sought for genital lowering, but we are unable to find a woman to perform it. He said: The tradition of circumcision is for men, not for women. — OR — I asked Abu al-Hasan (peace be upon him) about a man who endows a farm, then it appears he wants to change his decision. He said: If he endowed it for his children and others and appointed a trustee, he does not have the right to retract it. If they are minors and he stipulated guardianship for them until they reach maturity, the trust is for them. He does not have the right to retract. If they are adults, he does not hand it over to them nor dispute with them until they secure it from him. Then he has the right to revoke it because they cannot acquire it from him, and they have reached majority. — OR — Zaynab the perfume seller came to the women and daughters of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). She used to sell perfume to them. The Prophet came while she was with them and said: When you come to us, our houses become pleasant. She said: Your house is more fragrant, O Messenger of Allah. He said: When you sell, be honest and do not cheat, for honesty is more protective of wealth. She said: O Messenger of Allah, I did not bring anything from my sales; I came only to ask you about the greatness of Allah, Glorious and Exalted. He said: The majesty of Allah is great. I will tell you something about that. Then he recited: This earth and all upon it, and all beneath it, and the seven heavens with all their inhabitants, are arranged like a ring in a vast desert. Then he recited the verse about the seven heavens and the earth and described their cosmic order, mentioning mountains, hailstones, winds, veils of light, and the Throne. Then he recited the verse: "His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth; their preservation tire Him not. He is the Most High, the Most Great." He added that the veils come before the air within which hearts are perplexed.
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