Allah (SWT) ordered His Messenger (SAW) to follow the way and religion of Ibraheem (AS) in His saying:
"Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad (SAW) saying): "Follow the religion of Abraham (AS) Hanifan (Islamic Monotheism to worship none but Allah)…" (An-Nahl 16:123)
And circumcision if from his religion, and this
nation is commanded with whatever its Prophet (SAW) was commanded unless
there if further proof to show that it is something particular to him.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) who said: Allah’s Messenger (SAW)
said:
"The Fitrah (natural way) is five: circumcision, shaving the private parts, trimming the mustache, clipping the nails and plucking hair from the armpits." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
It is clear that circumcision is obligatory. However, does this apply to females or is it particular to the males. From the manners prescribed for the new-born child is the circumcision (Khitaan) which the surgical removal of the skin surrounding the head of the boys penis and the skin dangling above the girl’s vagina.
The view that we arrived at when discussing the
ruling of circumcision was indeed particular to males.
Perhaps the closest of the sayings to the truth is that circumcision is
prescribed for women and allowed for them and is not an obligation, and that
is due to the following:
1) The saying of the Prophet (SAW):
"When two circumcised parts unite then bathing becomes obligatory." (Sahih, Reported by Ahmad and Al-Baihaqee)
2) The saying of the Messenger (SAW) in the Hadith of Umm ‘Atiyyah to a female circumcision:
"When you circumcise then do not cut severely, since that is better for her and more pleasing to the husband." (Reported by Abu Dawud and Al-Baihaqee and declared Hasan by Shaikh Al-Albani)
3) And to those who declare it to be obligatory
upon the women, then it is said: Rather the other 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 Hadith of Umm ‘Atiyyah then it shows no more than an allowance
as has preceded, not an obligation.
The harm that is attributed to this operation cannot
be ascribed to circumcision itself, rather to two matters:
1) 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 Shariah method by the Messenger
(SAW) who warned against its saying: "When you circumcise then do not do
so severely…"
2) 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 it 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 from harmful effects of danger.
A number of doctors have affirmed that female circumcision produces a number of benefits. Female circumcision shares some of the benefits of male circumcision, and has extra benefits particular to it - some of them being mentioned by our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who said that it is:
"Better for the woman and more pleasing for the husband" and that it is "Better of the face and more pleasing to the husband." (Reported by Al-Baihaqee)
And as is known these benefits so 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:
1) A reduction of infections resulting from microbes gathering under the
hood of the clitoris.
2) Attacks of herpes and genital ulcers are less severe and less harmful
with men and women who have been circumcised.
3) A further benefit that is apparent for women 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 case.
Information From Manners of Welcoming
the New Born Child in Islaam
By Yoosuf ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Areefee
Translated by Aboo Talhah Daawood ibn Ronald Burbank