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Female Circumcision, etc.

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Mahmoodiyah

Question:

Assalamualaikum

1.  I wanted to know about circumcision in Islam is it done one women?  I heard it is a practise of the Shafi’i, is it true?  If it is where does it come from?  Is it from the time of Ibrahim (A.S.)?  I read that Sarah (A.S.) did it for Haajirah (A.S.)

2.  Pertaining to to the Manaasik of Hajj and Umrah, do we know why we (women) have to cut our hair and men have to shave it to come of Ihraam?  Besides the fact that it was done by our Prophet (S.A.W.)

3.  To throw 7 pebbles at the Jamaraat, why the number 7?  Besides the fact that Ibrahim (A.S.) threw 7 pebbles?

4.  Pertaining to the flood of Nooh (A.S.) was it all over the world or did it take place in a special area only?

Jazakallah

Wassalaam


Answer:

 

1.       It is correct that according to Imam Shafi’i (R.A.A.) that circumcision of a female is a compulsory act.  What must be considered is that the circumcision should not exceed the limits, thus causing harm.  According to Imam Abu Hanifah (R.A.A.) it is commended that females should be circumcised but is not a necessity.  Circumcision of a male commenced from the time of Ebrahim (A.S.).  We are not apprised from which point in Islamic history did the circumcision of females begin nor did we come across any narration with regards to Sarah (A.S.) circumcising Haajirah (A.S.) in any reliable Kitaab.  (Al-Majmoo’, Sharhul Muhath-thab, Vol. 1, Page 349)

2/3. The rites of Hajj are compulsory acts of ‘Ibaadat (worship).  Its mutual bond is

one of wholehearted submission.  The correct knowledge with regards to its wisdom is not known to anyone.  With regards to some of the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah, illustrious scholars of Deen have recorded some of their wisdoms.  However, we were unable to find any answer with regards to the wisdom of that which has been mentioned in your question.  One of the wisdoms mentioned with regards to Ramee is the excessive recitation of Zikrullah.  Therefore the Jamaraat are pelted seven times each and when ever one pebble is thrown, the name of Allah is also taken which in turn counts to excessive Zikrullah.  The reality of this is only in the knowledge of Allah.  (Taken from Ahkaamul Islam ‘Aql ki Nazar main, Page 183)

4.        The explanations given with regards to the flood during the time of Nooh (A.S.) are all based on weak narrations.  One of these narrations also state that the flood encompassed the entire world, but the author of ‘Roohul Ma’aani’, Imam Aaloosi (R.A.A.)’s inclination is towards this that the flood was restricted to that locality which was inhabited by the nation of Nooh (A.S.).  All those who were Kaafir amongst his nation perished in this flood and only those people were who aboard the ship with him were spared.  This was due to the fact that at that time man were not of a great number and were not spread out throughout the earth and Nooh (A.S.)’s nation were the only human inhabitants of the planet, that is why those people who were Kaafir from this nation were the rightful recipients of the punishment and were thus destroyed.  We are also inclined towards this that the flood was not general but restricted. (Roohul Ma’aani, Surah Hud, Vol. 5, Page 54-55)

Note:  These wisdoms of ‘Ibaadat and history are not very important and nothing can be said with regards to it with conviction, therefore it is inappropriate to delve too deep into such matters.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Mufti Muhammad Ashraf

Darul Iftaa

Jameah Mahmoodiyah

Springs

26 April 2004

05 Rabee’ul Awwal 1425

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