I understand male circumcision but why women?

I understand male circumcision but why women?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Four types of female circumcisions are performed in the modern era.  The World Health Organisation has offered four classifications of female circumcision.  The main three are Type I, Type II and Type III.

Type I is the removal of the clitoral hood, almost invariably accompanied by removal of the clitoris itself (clitoridectomy).

Type II is the removal of the clitoris and inner labia.

Type III (infibulation) is the removal of all or part of the inner and outer labia, and usually the clitoris, and the fusion of the wound, leaving a small hole for the passage of urine and menstrual blood—the fused wound is opened for intercourse and childbirth.  Around 85 percent of women who undergo circumcision experience Types I and II, and 15 percent Type III, though Type III is the most common procedure in several countries, including Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti.

Several miscellaneous acts are categorized as Type IV. These range from a symbolic pricking or piercing of the clitoris or labia, to cauterization of the clitoris, cutting into the vagina to widen it (gishiri cutting), and introducing corrosive substances to tighten it.[i]

With regards to the Islamic view on female circumcision, the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam said,

“Circumcision is a sunnah for men and a noble deed for women.” [ii]

According to the stronger view of the Hanafi school, female circumcision is not an emphasised sunnah for women.  It is merely a praiseworthy deed which has its benefits.[iii] It has been a practice in many parts of the world for a long time.  The Arab women at the time of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam would also be circumcised.[iv]

A female sahabiyyah by the name of Umm ‘Atiyyah radiallahu anhu was a renowned nurse in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.  She would treat the ill, help in washing and shrouding the deceased, tend to the wounded and perform circumcision on girls.[v]

Mentioning some of the benefits of female circumcision, Dr. Haamid al-Ghawaabi says:

The secretions of the labia minora accumulate in uncircumcised women and turn rancid, so they develop an unpleasant odour which may lead to infections of the vagina or urethra. I have seen many cases of sickness caused by the lack of circumcision.

Circumcision reduces excessive sensitivity of the clitoris which may cause it to increase in size to 3 centimetres when aroused, which is very annoying to the husband, especially at the time of intercourse.

Another benefit of circumcision is that it prevents stimulation of the clitoris which makes it grow large in such a manner that it causes pain. Circumcision prevents spasms of the clitoris which are a kind of inflammation.  Circumcision reduces excessive sexual desire.

Then Dr al-Ghawaabi refutes those who claim that female circumcision leads to frigidity by noting:

Frigidity has many causes, and this claim is not based on any sound statistics comparing circumcised women with uncircumcised women, except in the case of Pharaonic circumcision which is where the clitoris is excised completely. This does in fact lead to frigidity but it is contrary to the kind of circumcision enjoined by the Prophet of mercy salallahu alaihi wasallam when he said: “Do not destroy” i.e., do not uproot or excise.[vi] This alone is evidence that speaks for itself, because medicine at that time knew very little about this sensitive organ (the clitoris) and its nerves.

The female gynaecologist Sitt al-Banaat Khaalid says in an article entitled Khitaan al-Banaat Ru’yah Sihhiyyah (Female circumcision from a health point of view):

For us in the Muslim world female circumcision is, above all else, obedience to Islam, which means acting in accordance with the fitrah and following the Sunnah which encourages it. We all know the dimensions of Islam, and that everything in it must be good in all aspects, including health aspects. If the benefits are not apparent now, they will become known in the future, as has happened with regard to male circumcision – the world now knows its benefits and it has become widespread among all nations despite the opposition of some groups.

Then she mentioned some of the health benefits of female circumcision and said:

1)     It takes away excessive libido from women

2)     It prevents unpleasant odours which result from foul secretions beneath the prepuce.

3)     It reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections.

4)     It reduces the incidence of infections of the reproductive system.

In the book on Traditions that affect the health of women and children, which was published by the World Health Organization in 1979 it says:

With regard to the type of female circumcision which involves removal of the prepuce of the clitoris, which is similar to male circumcision, no harmful health effects have been noted. [vii]

In conclusion, female circumcision is a global practice which has its benefits.  It was a practice before the advent of Islam.  However, it is not emphasised in Islam, only praised.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mawlana Faraz Ibn Adam,
Student Darul Iftaa

UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net