Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Female Genital Mutilation: Difference between revisions

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'''Female Genital Mutilation''' (Arabic: ختان المرأة) is the practice of cutting away and altering the external female genitalia for ritual or religious purposes. It can involve both or either '''Clitoridectomy''' and '''Excision.''' Clitoridectomy is the amputation of part or all of the clitoris (or the removal of the clitoral prepuce). Excision is the cutting away of either or both the inner or outer labia. A third practice, '''Infibulation''' (or Pharaonic circumcision), is the paring back of the outer labia, whose cut edges are then stitched together to form, once healed, a seal that covers both the openings of the vagina and the urethra. Infibulation usually includes clitoridectomy.  
'''Female Genital Mutilation''' (Arabic: ختان المرأة) is the practice of cutting away and altering the external female genitalia for ritual or religious purposes. It can involve both or either '''Clitoridectomy''' and '''Excision.''' Clitoridectomy is the amputation of part or all of the clitoris (or the removal of the clitoral prepuce). Excision is the cutting away of either or both the inner or outer labia. A third practice, '''Infibulation''' (or Pharaonic circumcision), is the paring back of the outer labia, whose cut edges are then stitched together to form, once healed, a seal that covers both the openings of the vagina and the urethra. Infibulation usually includes clitoridectomy.  


The [[Banu Qurayza|Banu Quraysh]], Muhammad's native tribe, appears to have practiced FGM. Muhammad maintained the practice after migrating to Medina and is recorded as approving of the practice in four hadith. Two other hadith record the [[sahabah]] (Companions of Mohammed) engaging in the practice. The FGM hadith give very few clues as to ''the nature'' of the practice they approve. Hence the nature, incidence and distribution of FGM varies between countries and communities. The most significant determining factor appears to be the presiding school of Islam (fiqh). Other factors include the culture's level of anxiety around female sexuality, its proximity to Islamic slave-trade routes (Infibulation is associated with the transportation of slaves), and the nature and degree of historical Christian influence (which tends to eliminate FGM).
Neither male nor female circumcision are mentioned in the Quran, though the [[Banu Qurayza|Banu Quraysh]], Muhammad's native tribe, appears to have practiced FGM. Muhammad maintained the practice after migrating to Medina and is recorded as approving of the practice in four hadith. Two other hadith record the [[sahabah]] (Companions of Mohammed) engaging in the practice. The FGM hadith give very few clues as to ''the nature'' of the practice they approve. Hence the nature, incidence and distribution of FGM varies between countries and communities. The most significant determining factor appears to be the presiding school of Islam (fiqh). Other factors include the culture's level of anxiety around female sexuality, its proximity to Islamic slave-trade routes (Infibulation is associated with the transportation of slaves), and the nature and degree of historical Christian influence (which tends to eliminate FGM).


Professor Kecia Ali remarks that "female circumcision of some type is either recommended or required by the dominant classical view of all Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and seems to have been generally approved by Shi'i jurists as well."<ref>Kecia Ali, ''Sexual Ethics in Islam'', England: Oneworld Publications, p. 102</ref> She also observes that in the Shafi'i school it is obligatory, which may explain why the practice occurs among Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia where that school is pre-eminent and seems not to have existed there before Islam. In other regions where FGM more commonly occurs, Ali says it was a pre-existing custom, while in most parts of the Muslim World FGM is not generally practised.<ref>Ibid. p. 100</ref> In modern times an increasing number of Muslim activist groups and even fatwas have attempted to reduce the occurrence of FGM. Help and advice for those at risk is available from a number of sources.<ref>For example, in the UK the Metropolitan Police maintain [https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fgm/fgm-support-organisations/ a list of organisations] aiming to help those at risk of FGM</BR>A list of international organizations can be found [https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/organizations-fighting-female-genital-mutilation/ here]</ref>  
Professor Kecia Ali remarks that "female circumcision of some type is either recommended or required by the dominant classical view of all Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and seems to have been generally approved by Shi'i jurists as well."<ref>Kecia Ali, ''Sexual Ethics in Islam'', England: Oneworld Publications, p. 102</ref> She also observes that in the Shafi'i school it is obligatory, which may explain why the practice occurs among Muslims in Malaysia and Indonesia where that school is pre-eminent and seems not to have been practicsed there before Islam. In other regions where FGM more commonly occurs, Ali says it was a pre-existing custom, while in most parts of the Muslim World FGM is not generally practised.<ref>Ibid. p. 100</ref> In modern times an increasing number of Muslim activist groups and even fatwas have attempted to reduce the occurrence of FGM. Help and advice for those at risk is available from a number of sources.<ref>For example, in the UK the Metropolitan Police maintain [https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fgm/fgm-support-organisations/ a list of organisations] aiming to help those at risk of FGM</BR>A list of international organizations can be found [https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/organizations-fighting-female-genital-mutilation/ here]</ref>  


It should be noted that those who practice FGM refer to it as '''Female Circumcision''' rather than '''Female Genital Mutilation.''' The Hadith and fatwas reproduced on this page are translations. Which term is used is generally the translator's choice, rather than that of the text's original author.
It should be noted that those who practice FGM refer to it as '''Female Circumcision''' rather than '''Female Genital Mutilation.''' The Hadith and fatwas reproduced on this page are translations. Which term is used is generally the translator's choice, rather than that of the text's original author.
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