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{{Quote|[https://unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/De-linking%20FGM%20from%20Islam%20final%20report.pdf 'Delinking Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting from Islam'] by Ibrahim Lethome Asmani & Maryam Sheikh Abdi (2008)|'Shafi’i view it as wajib (obligatory) for both females and males'}} | {{Quote|[https://unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/De-linking%20FGM%20from%20Islam%20final%20report.pdf 'Delinking Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting from Islam'] by Ibrahim Lethome Asmani & Maryam Sheikh Abdi (2008)|'Shafi’i view it as wajib (obligatory) for both females and males'}} | ||
'Reliance of the Traveller' by by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (1302–1367) is the Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law according to Shafi'i School. {{Quote|''Reliance of the Traveler'' [''Umdat al-Salik''], Section e4.3 on Circumcision|'''Obligatory (on every male and female) is circumcision.''' (And it is the cutting-off of the skin [''qat' al-jaldah''] on the glans of the male member and, '''as for the circumcision of the female, that is the cutting-off of the clitoris')}}Nuh Ha Mim Keller's 1991 translation of Reliance of the Traveller is bowdlerised to make its content more acceptable to Western eyes and translates the word 'bazr' ( بَظْرٌ ) as 'clitorial prepuce' instead of simply 'clitoris' (see section [[#Defining Bazr|Defining Bazr)]]. | 'Reliance of the Traveller' by by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (1302–1367) is the Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law according to Shafi'i School. {{Quote|''Reliance of the Traveler'' [''Umdat al-Salik''], Section e4.3 on Circumcision|'''Obligatory (on every male and female) is circumcision.''' (And it is the cutting-off of the skin [''qat' al-jaldah''] on the glans of the male member and, '''as for the circumcision of the female, that is the cutting-off of the clitoris')}}'''Nuh Ha Mim Keller's 1991 translation of Reliance of the Traveller is bowdlerised to make its content more acceptable to Western eyes and translates the word 'bazr' ( بَظْرٌ ) as 'clitorial prepuce' instead of simply 'clitoris' (see section [[#Defining Bazr|Defining Bazr)]].''' | ||
===Hanbali Madhab=== | ===Hanbali Madhab=== | ||
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====FGM existed before Islam==== | ====FGM existed before Islam==== | ||
This argument assumes that ''if a practice existed before Islam then it can not be Islamic''. | |||
FGM ''did'' indeed exist before Islam (see [[User:Flynnjed/Sandbox#FGM before Islam|FGM before Islam]]). However, if this disqualified FGM from being Islamic then monotheism, male circumcision, pilgrimage to Mecca, the veneration of the kaaba, abstention from pork, giving to charity, interdictions on lying and murder, and much more would also be un-Islamic since previous religions and societies have held these beliefs and practices. Indeed, if Islam were only that which was completely original to Islam almost nothing that has been considered Islamic over the last 1400 would remain. | FGM ''did'' indeed exist before Islam (see [[User:Flynnjed/Sandbox#FGM before Islam|FGM before Islam]]). However, if this disqualified FGM from being Islamic then monotheism, male circumcision, pilgrimage to Mecca, the veneration of the kaaba, abstention from pork, giving to charity, interdictions on lying and murder, and much more would also be un-Islamic since previous religions and societies have held these beliefs and practices. Indeed, if Islam were only that which was completely original to Islam almost nothing that has been considered Islamic over the last 1400 would remain. | ||
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====Christians practice FGM too==== | ====Christians practice FGM too==== | ||
This argument assumes that ''if Christians engage in a practice then it can not be Islamic.'' This would imply that what Christians do (or don't do) determines what is 'Islamic' - something that Muslims would undoubtedly reject. | |||
On the map showing the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting many Western Christian countries are assigned the rubric ''<nowiki/>'rare or limited to particular ethnic minority enclaves'.'' This does not indicate that Christians in those countries engage in FGM, but rather reflects the presence of FGM-practicing immigrants, who are almost entirely Muslim.[[File:Infibmap correct20111.jpg|thumb|the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting|alt=|left]] | On the map showing the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting many Western Christian countries are assigned the rubric ''<nowiki/>'rare or limited to particular ethnic minority enclaves'.'' This does not indicate that Christians in those countries engage in FGM, but rather reflects the presence of FGM-practicing immigrants, who are almost entirely Muslim.[[File:Infibmap correct20111.jpg|thumb|the prevalence of Female Genital Cutting|alt=|left]] | ||
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====Not all Muslims practice FGM==== | ====Not all Muslims practice FGM==== | ||
''This argument assumes that only those practices which all Muslims engage in can be Islamic''. And this assumption results from the (erroneous) belief that religions are defined only by that which they make universally obligatory. | |||
First of all it should be noted that different schools of Islam take slightly different stances on FGM: the Shaafi madhab make it mandatory; the Hanbali madhab and some branches of the Maliki madhab recommend it; the Hanafi madhab merely allows it. | |||
This argument also assumes that what is 'Islamic' consists solely of that which is either obligatory or forbidden. But religions (and ideologies in general) are responsible not only for what they make obligatory. They are responsible also for what they recommend, encourage, allow, and discourage and forbid; ''and'' for the consequences of what they recommend, allow, discourage and forbid - whether those consequences are intended or unintended. The fact that FGM is not universally obligatory under Islam does not exculpate it of any FGM it has caused - or allowed to occur. (see [[User:Flynnjed/Sandbox#.27Halal.27 vs .27Responsibility.27|'Halal' and 'Responsibility']] below) | |||
Furthermore, not all Islamic practices are obligatory: whilst a Muslim must complete 5 prayers a day, there are optional (nawafil) prayers which confer additional rewards. Fasting outside of the month of Ramadhan, or giving sadaqah (voluntary charity) are also optional. The Maliki school recommends FGM, and the Hanafi school allows it. The schools' different levels of obligation are reflected in the incidence of FGM. And where it is merely 'allowed' or 'tolerated' are we surprised that parents abstain from an act that goes against parents deepest instincts? | |||
Islamic doctrine can not forbid FGM. This is no more an ethically acceptable position for a religion to take - than to 'not forbid' murder, child sexual abuse or rape. | Islamic doctrine can not forbid FGM. This is no more an ethically acceptable position for a religion to take - than to 'not forbid' murder, child sexual abuse or rape. | ||
. But religions are also defined by what they encourage and discourage, by what they allow and tolerate. For example, no one would question that the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is Christian, but it is recommended, not obligatory. | |||
We're not talking about an ethically neutral act, such as the Eucharist - swallowing a wafer - or Baptism - sprinkling water on a baby's head - we're talking about a serious crime, an act of mutilation and torture carried out on a child, a grave violation of the child's human rights. | We're not talking about an ethically neutral act, such as the Eucharist - swallowing a wafer - or Baptism - sprinkling water on a baby's head - we're talking about a serious crime, an act of mutilation and torture carried out on a child, a grave violation of the child's human rights. | ||
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==='Halal' vs 'Responsibility'=== | ==='Halal' vs 'Responsibility'=== | ||
Debates concerning FGM and Islam are generally conducted in terms of whether FGM is 'Islamic' - whether Mohammed approved of the practice or not, whether it is halal (permitted for a Muslim) or haraam (forbidden). | Debates concerning FGM and Islam are generally conducted in terms of whether FGM is 'Islamic' - whether Mohammed approved of the practice or not, whether it is halal (permitted for a Muslim) or haraam (forbidden). | ||
Religions keen to take 'credit' for any good that can be attributed to themselves, but are less keen on the opposite side of the coin, the acknowledging of responsibility for any ills they may give rise to. | |||
as should be quite clear from the hadith and the scholars - FGM is Islamic | as should be quite clear from the hadith and the scholars - FGM is Islamic | ||