Protect The Clitoris: Female Circumcision in Islam
Islam prohibits female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) practices that harm girls and women. According to scholars, the female circumcision practice which Islam permits is the removal of excess skin folds of the clitoral hood (or prepuce), not the clitoris itself. The purpose of Islamic female circumcision is to improve genital hygiene and to enhance sexual pleasure in women by exposing the clitoris to direct stimulation during marital intimacy.
Female circumcision in Islam
Female circumcision is an ancient practice permitted by the Prophet to increase women’s sexual satisfaction. He is reported to have said it is an honourable practice, providing that the cutting is minor and not excessive. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin covering the clitoral glans, according to classical jurists. Female circumcision was a normative practice amongst the Arabs and appears to have been endorsed by the Prophet Muhammad with some restrictions, as evident in a number of reports.
Female circumcision is an ancient practice permitted by the Prophet to increase women’s sexual satisfaction. He is reported to have said it is an honourable practice, providing that the cutting is minor and not excessive. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin covering the clitoral glans, according to classical jurists. Female circumcision was a normative practice amongst the Arabs and appears to have been endorsed by the Prophet Muhammad with some restrictions, as evident in a number of reports.
Hadiths on Female Circumcision
During the time of the Prophet, a woman from the Ansar in Medina, called Umm Atiyyah, used to practice female circumcision. Umm Atiyyah approached the Prophet and asked if she is allowed to continue her profession. The Prophet replied,
لاَ تُنْهِكِي فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَحْظَى لِلْمَرْأَةِ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى الْبَعْلِ
Do not cut off [the clitoris] when you circumcise, as that is more pleasing to the woman and more delightful to the husband.[1]
In another hadith the Prophet is reported to have said to the woman,
يا أم عطية: اخفضي ولا تُنهِكيِ، فإنه أنضر للوجه، وأحظى عند الزوج
O Umm Atiyyah! You may circumcise, but do not destroy [i.e. do not cut the clitoris], for that is brighter for the face [i.e. more satisfying for the woman] and more pleasing to the husband.[2]
It was also reported that the Prophet informed the women of Medinah,
يا نســاء الأنصــار اختضـبن عمســاً ، واختفـضن ولا تنـهـكن ؛ فإنه أحظـى لإناثكن عند أزواجهن
O women of Ansar! You may apply henna and circumcise [the clitoral hood] but do not destroy [the clitoris], as that is more pleasing for your women when they are with their husbands.[3]
It has been narrated that the Prophet said,
"Circumcision is a sunnah for men and a praiseworthy matter for women." [4]
[1] Abu Dawud 5271
[2] Bayhaqi. The authenticity of this hadith is debatable.
[3] Ibn Hajar
[4] Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani
During the time of the Prophet, a woman from the Ansar in Medina, called Umm Atiyyah, used to practice female circumcision. Umm Atiyyah approached the Prophet and asked if she is allowed to continue her profession. The Prophet replied,
لاَ تُنْهِكِي فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَحْظَى لِلْمَرْأَةِ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى الْبَعْلِ
Do not cut off [the clitoris] when you circumcise, as that is more pleasing to the woman and more delightful to the husband.[1]
In another hadith the Prophet is reported to have said to the woman,
يا أم عطية: اخفضي ولا تُنهِكيِ، فإنه أنضر للوجه، وأحظى عند الزوج
O Umm Atiyyah! You may circumcise, but do not destroy [i.e. do not cut the clitoris], for that is brighter for the face [i.e. more satisfying for the woman] and more pleasing to the husband.[2]
It was also reported that the Prophet informed the women of Medinah,
يا نســاء الأنصــار اختضـبن عمســاً ، واختفـضن ولا تنـهـكن ؛ فإنه أحظـى لإناثكن عند أزواجهن
O women of Ansar! You may apply henna and circumcise [the clitoral hood] but do not destroy [the clitoris], as that is more pleasing for your women when they are with their husbands.[3]
It has been narrated that the Prophet said,
"Circumcision is a sunnah for men and a praiseworthy matter for women." [4]
[1] Abu Dawud 5271
[2] Bayhaqi. The authenticity of this hadith is debatable.
[3] Ibn Hajar
[4] Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani
Scholars on Female Circumcision
The practice of female circumcision (khitan or khifadh) in the Islamic tradition refers to a small nick or the removal of clitoral hood, not the clitoris itself. It should be a minor procedure involving no harm to the girl or woman and should be carried out by a suitably qualified female practitioner.
Some scholars say female circumcision is a recommended practice, others say it is compulsory. The female genital cutting practice which scholars permits is not the same as female genital mutilation/C (FGM/C) practices where the clitoris and/or labia are excised. Islamic female circumcision should not be confused with FGM that is widespread in parts of Africa.
Most scholars of Islam recognise female circumcision as an acceptable practice in Islam, citing hadiths which endorse the practice. Legal scholars such as Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal acknowledged female circumcision in their schools of Islamic law.
Imam Malik ibn Anas said, "Women are the ones who should circumcise girls." Imam Malik also said, "I prefer that women clip the nails, shave the pubic hair and are circumcised just as men should."
Maliki scholar, Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said in Kitab al-Jami', "With respect to women, circumcision is known as khifad (lessining). The limits ought not to be exceeded when performing circumcision on women. It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) said to Umm Atiyyah, who used to circumcise [girls], "Umm Atiyyah, cut off a little and do not injure [by complete surgical removal], because it is more wholesome for the face and its blood, and more likely to find good favour with the husband," meaning that it will be better for her health and it is better for her [husband when he has] intercourse [with her]."
In his commentary of a sound hadith in Bukhari, Ibn al-Hajar said, “the bazr (clitoris) is the part of the woman left untouched when she is circumcised.”
Imam al-Ghazali, an-Nawawi, Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said the female circumcision (khitan) involves the removal of “the skin covering the cock’s comb like structure, and not the flesh,” indicating that the clitoris (bazr) should be left intact post-circumcision following the removal of the clitoral prepuce (hashafa).
Al-Juwayni said, “In the case of females, only a part of the skin that is like a rooster’s comb at the top of the vulva should be cut.
Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said female circumcision is a praiseworthy matter for women in his legal treatise on Maliki fiqh. Al-Suyuti also recognised female circumcision as a legitimate Islamic practice.
Other scholars said a small nick can be made to the female genitalia without cutting as the Prophet forbade excessive genital cutting.
[1] Abu Dawud 5271
[2] Bayhaqi. The authenticity of this hadith is debatable.
[3] Ibn Hajar
The practice of female circumcision (khitan or khifadh) in the Islamic tradition refers to a small nick or the removal of clitoral hood, not the clitoris itself. It should be a minor procedure involving no harm to the girl or woman and should be carried out by a suitably qualified female practitioner.
Some scholars say female circumcision is a recommended practice, others say it is compulsory. The female genital cutting practice which scholars permits is not the same as female genital mutilation/C (FGM/C) practices where the clitoris and/or labia are excised. Islamic female circumcision should not be confused with FGM that is widespread in parts of Africa.
Most scholars of Islam recognise female circumcision as an acceptable practice in Islam, citing hadiths which endorse the practice. Legal scholars such as Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal acknowledged female circumcision in their schools of Islamic law.
Imam Malik ibn Anas said, "Women are the ones who should circumcise girls." Imam Malik also said, "I prefer that women clip the nails, shave the pubic hair and are circumcised just as men should."
Maliki scholar, Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said in Kitab al-Jami', "With respect to women, circumcision is known as khifad (lessining). The limits ought not to be exceeded when performing circumcision on women. It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) said to Umm Atiyyah, who used to circumcise [girls], "Umm Atiyyah, cut off a little and do not injure [by complete surgical removal], because it is more wholesome for the face and its blood, and more likely to find good favour with the husband," meaning that it will be better for her health and it is better for her [husband when he has] intercourse [with her]."
In his commentary of a sound hadith in Bukhari, Ibn al-Hajar said, “the bazr (clitoris) is the part of the woman left untouched when she is circumcised.”
Imam al-Ghazali, an-Nawawi, Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said the female circumcision (khitan) involves the removal of “the skin covering the cock’s comb like structure, and not the flesh,” indicating that the clitoris (bazr) should be left intact post-circumcision following the removal of the clitoral prepuce (hashafa).
Al-Juwayni said, “In the case of females, only a part of the skin that is like a rooster’s comb at the top of the vulva should be cut.
Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said female circumcision is a praiseworthy matter for women in his legal treatise on Maliki fiqh. Al-Suyuti also recognised female circumcision as a legitimate Islamic practice.
Other scholars said a small nick can be made to the female genitalia without cutting as the Prophet forbade excessive genital cutting.
[1] Abu Dawud 5271
[2] Bayhaqi. The authenticity of this hadith is debatable.
[3] Ibn Hajar
What is the Reason For Female Circumcision?
Maliki scholar, Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said in Kitab al-Jami', "With respect to women, circumcision is known as khifad (lessining). The limits ought not to be exceeded when performing circumcision on women. It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) said to Umm Atiyyah, who used to circumcise [girls], "Umm Atiyyah, cut off a little and do not injure [by complete surgical removal], because it is more wholesome for the face and its blood, and more likely to find good favour with the husband," meaning that it will be better for her health and it is better for her [husband when he has] intercourse [with her]."
Some scholars such as al-Jahiz and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said the reason for female circumcision is to reduce the sexual desire of the girl or woman. Ibn Taymiyyah said circumcised [Muslim] women are less lustful than uncircumcised [non-Muslim] women. He believed circumcision suppresses female sexual appetite, which many people in his time felt was excessive. Others asserted that uncircumcised women, known as bazra, risked nymphomania, clitoral swelling that could drive them to masturbation or lesbian activity, and even increased risk for vaginal cancer. Some believed that female circumcision eliminates a major source of excitability in girls and women and prevents them, from "getting a yellow face," a sure sign of nervous anxiety.
Although many scholars said female circumcision curbs sexual desire and thus safeguards the chastity of girls and women, there is no authentic hadith of the Prophet which states this is the rationale behind female circumcision in Islam.
Maliki scholar, Ibn Abu Zayd al-Qayrawani said in Kitab al-Jami', "With respect to women, circumcision is known as khifad (lessining). The limits ought not to be exceeded when performing circumcision on women. It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) said to Umm Atiyyah, who used to circumcise [girls], "Umm Atiyyah, cut off a little and do not injure [by complete surgical removal], because it is more wholesome for the face and its blood, and more likely to find good favour with the husband," meaning that it will be better for her health and it is better for her [husband when he has] intercourse [with her]."
Some scholars such as al-Jahiz and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said the reason for female circumcision is to reduce the sexual desire of the girl or woman. Ibn Taymiyyah said circumcised [Muslim] women are less lustful than uncircumcised [non-Muslim] women. He believed circumcision suppresses female sexual appetite, which many people in his time felt was excessive. Others asserted that uncircumcised women, known as bazra, risked nymphomania, clitoral swelling that could drive them to masturbation or lesbian activity, and even increased risk for vaginal cancer. Some believed that female circumcision eliminates a major source of excitability in girls and women and prevents them, from "getting a yellow face," a sure sign of nervous anxiety.
Although many scholars said female circumcision curbs sexual desire and thus safeguards the chastity of girls and women, there is no authentic hadith of the Prophet which states this is the rationale behind female circumcision in Islam.
Why scholars said female circumcision reduces sexual desire?
According to the reported hadiths on female circumcision, the reason for female circumcision was to increase the sexual pleasure of the woman and her husband. Another hadith states that female circumcision is an honourable act, which Maliki scholars means that it is recommended but not obligatory. Some scholars such Imam al-Shafi’i considered female circumcision to be compulsory.
14th century scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said one of the reasons for female circumcision was to reduce women’s sexual appetite. When asked about whether women should be circumcision, Ibn Taymiyyah gave the following legal opinion (fatwa),
Similar to Ibn Taymiyyah, some medieval scholars believed that the purpose of female circumcision is to reduce the women’s desire because if she is uncircumcised, she becomes lustful and longs for men. They believed a large clitoris or elongated lips would cause unwanted arousal in the woman and could lead to illicit relations.
According to Al-Azhar graduate shaykh Atabek Shukrov Nasafi, Ibn Taymiyyah popularised the view that khitan (female circumcision) was carried out to lower the sexual desire of women. Nafasi disagreed with Ibn Taymiyyah, stating,
“(this view) is in direct contravention to the alleged saying of the Prophet who said that if done, it should be only to give the woman more portion in the enjoyment of sex.”
Some modern-day Muslim male scholars went further to say that the entire clitoris should be cut off as it is “good for women due to an irritating itching” and it would help “a woman not leak water from her private parts.” Such claims have been disapproved by medical professionals and women. Sadly, some Muslim clerics continue to promote harmful genital cutting practices which contradict Islamic teachings. Cutting the clitoris to deprive girls and women of sexual pleasure out of fear that they may commit fornication is not permitted in Islam. I am totally against such practices where the clitoris is removed in the name of Islam because it is forbidden, scholars have said. And God knows best.
[1] Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 21/114
According to the reported hadiths on female circumcision, the reason for female circumcision was to increase the sexual pleasure of the woman and her husband. Another hadith states that female circumcision is an honourable act, which Maliki scholars means that it is recommended but not obligatory. Some scholars such Imam al-Shafi’i considered female circumcision to be compulsory.
14th century scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said one of the reasons for female circumcision was to reduce women’s sexual appetite. When asked about whether women should be circumcision, Ibn Taymiyyah gave the following legal opinion (fatwa),
- Praise be to Allah. Yes, they should be circumcised, i.e., the top of the piece of skin that looks like a rooster’s comb should be cut. The Messenger of God said to the woman who did circumcisions: “Leave something sticking out and do not go to extremes in cutting. That makes her face look brighter and is more pleasing to her husband.” That is because the purpose of circumcising a man is to make him clean from the impurity that may collect beneath the foreskin. But the purpose of circumcising women is to regulate their desire, because if a woman is not circumcised her desire will be strong. Hence the words “O son of an uncircumcised woman” are used as an insult, because the uncircumcised woman has stronger desire. Hence immoral actions are more common among the women of the Tatars and the Franks, that are not found among the Muslim women. If the circumcision is too severe, the desire is weakened altogether, which is unpleasing for men; but if it is cut without going to extremes in that, the purpose will be achieved, which is moderating desire. And God knows best.
Similar to Ibn Taymiyyah, some medieval scholars believed that the purpose of female circumcision is to reduce the women’s desire because if she is uncircumcised, she becomes lustful and longs for men. They believed a large clitoris or elongated lips would cause unwanted arousal in the woman and could lead to illicit relations.
According to Al-Azhar graduate shaykh Atabek Shukrov Nasafi, Ibn Taymiyyah popularised the view that khitan (female circumcision) was carried out to lower the sexual desire of women. Nafasi disagreed with Ibn Taymiyyah, stating,
“(this view) is in direct contravention to the alleged saying of the Prophet who said that if done, it should be only to give the woman more portion in the enjoyment of sex.”
Some modern-day Muslim male scholars went further to say that the entire clitoris should be cut off as it is “good for women due to an irritating itching” and it would help “a woman not leak water from her private parts.” Such claims have been disapproved by medical professionals and women. Sadly, some Muslim clerics continue to promote harmful genital cutting practices which contradict Islamic teachings. Cutting the clitoris to deprive girls and women of sexual pleasure out of fear that they may commit fornication is not permitted in Islam. I am totally against such practices where the clitoris is removed in the name of Islam because it is forbidden, scholars have said. And God knows best.
8 Myths About Female Circumcision in Islam
1. "Islam supports FGM " - The religion of Islam does not permit female genital mutilation practices which involve the cutting of the clitoris, labia and sowing the vulva lips to prevent intercourse before marriage. This is an abhorrent cultural practice to ensure the virginity of the woman. Islam prohibits such extreme practices which harms women.
2. "Female circumcision is the same as FGM in Islam" - Muslim scholars say that FGM is not the same as female circumcision (khitan or khifad). Whilst there is a difference of opinion amongst scholars regarding the legal ruling of the Islamic practice of female circumcision, they all agree that the excessive female genital cutting practiced in parts of Africa is prohibited in Islam. Many circumcised women argue that female circumcision is not the same as FGM, and disagree with the WHO's definition of FGM to refer to any form of female genital cutting for non-medical reasons.
3. "Female circumcision protects girls from committing zina" - There is no Qur'anic verse or authentic hadith that states female circumcision prevents girls from committing zina (fornication/adultery). Many cultures believe that female circumcision believe that circumcision makes a woman less promiscuous. Some scholars also stated that female circumcision curbs sexual desire, though there is no clear evidence from the Qur'an or hadith which supports this.
4. “Uncircumcised women are promiscuous” – This was the opinion of some scholars such as al-Jahiz and Ibn Taymiyyah who advocated female circumcision. Ibn Taymiyyah said adultery was more common among the women of the Tatars and the Franks, compared to Muslim women because they were not circumcised. The Arabs used to call an uncircumcised woman bazra, meaning ‘a woman with a clitoris,’ a word that was used as an insult for a fornicating woman in poetry and historical narratives from the early Islamic period. The epithet ibn al-bazra, ‘son of an uncircumcised woman,’ was also used an insult to refer to a man as a bastard, as his mother likely was a fornicator, due to her perceived uncontrollable sexual desire. However, there is no Qur'anic verse or authentic hadith that supports the claim that uncircumcised women are more likely to fornicate or that circumcised women are better wives. There is also no scientific research that supports the claim that uncircumcised women are promiscuous.
5. “The prayers of uncircumcised women are not accepted" - This is not true. In some East African cultures it is believed that uncut women’s prayers are invalid because they are unclean. This is a cultural belief that is not supported by the religion. In the horn of Africa, FGM/C is widespread. In premodern times, female circumcision was a normative practice in the Arab-Muslim world. However, there is no statement from the Prophet that the prayers of uncircumcised women are not accepted.
6. “FGM only happens in Africa” - FGM is a socio-cultural tradition that is practised across cultures around the world. Although FGM/C is prevalent in several African countries; Somalia (98%), Egypt (87%), Sudan (87%) and Sierra Leone (86%), female genital cutting is also widely practised in non-African countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Bohra community in India. The pre-Islamic Arabs used to practice female genital cutting, including the cutting of the clitoris, which the Prophet forbade. Women who practised female circumcision were called muqatta’ah al-buzur.
7. “The clitoris causes irritation and makes women leak water” - This is an untruth said by some people in west Africa who believe that the clitoris should be removed as it causes uncontrollable itching in girls and women. The tribal tradition practice of female genital cutting in Africa predates Christianity and Islam. It is an ancient cultural practice to control female sexuality. In some west African cultural traditions, it is believed that the clitoris represents male sexuality so it should be removed. Other African cultures believe that if the baby's head touches the clitoris during childbirth, the baby will die or the woman will become insane. Whereas in Egypt, infibulation is known as 'pharaonic circumcision' as it is a practice that probably originated in Pharaonic Egypt. Infibulation is totally prohibited in Islam.
8. “Women cannot enjoy sex or orgasm after FGM” - This is a myth often propagated by anti-FGM activists and western sex educators. Whilst some cut women have negative sexual experiences, it is not true that every woman who has undergone female genital cutting suffers from a sexual dysfunction. A 2007 study led by Italian-Somali gynaecologist Jasmine Abdulcadir found that 86% of FGM/C women reported orgasm. Another study in Nigeria, revealed that circumcised women reported orgasm more than uncircumcised women.
1. "Islam supports FGM " - The religion of Islam does not permit female genital mutilation practices which involve the cutting of the clitoris, labia and sowing the vulva lips to prevent intercourse before marriage. This is an abhorrent cultural practice to ensure the virginity of the woman. Islam prohibits such extreme practices which harms women.
2. "Female circumcision is the same as FGM in Islam" - Muslim scholars say that FGM is not the same as female circumcision (khitan or khifad). Whilst there is a difference of opinion amongst scholars regarding the legal ruling of the Islamic practice of female circumcision, they all agree that the excessive female genital cutting practiced in parts of Africa is prohibited in Islam. Many circumcised women argue that female circumcision is not the same as FGM, and disagree with the WHO's definition of FGM to refer to any form of female genital cutting for non-medical reasons.
3. "Female circumcision protects girls from committing zina" - There is no Qur'anic verse or authentic hadith that states female circumcision prevents girls from committing zina (fornication/adultery). Many cultures believe that female circumcision believe that circumcision makes a woman less promiscuous. Some scholars also stated that female circumcision curbs sexual desire, though there is no clear evidence from the Qur'an or hadith which supports this.
4. “Uncircumcised women are promiscuous” – This was the opinion of some scholars such as al-Jahiz and Ibn Taymiyyah who advocated female circumcision. Ibn Taymiyyah said adultery was more common among the women of the Tatars and the Franks, compared to Muslim women because they were not circumcised. The Arabs used to call an uncircumcised woman bazra, meaning ‘a woman with a clitoris,’ a word that was used as an insult for a fornicating woman in poetry and historical narratives from the early Islamic period. The epithet ibn al-bazra, ‘son of an uncircumcised woman,’ was also used an insult to refer to a man as a bastard, as his mother likely was a fornicator, due to her perceived uncontrollable sexual desire. However, there is no Qur'anic verse or authentic hadith that supports the claim that uncircumcised women are more likely to fornicate or that circumcised women are better wives. There is also no scientific research that supports the claim that uncircumcised women are promiscuous.
5. “The prayers of uncircumcised women are not accepted" - This is not true. In some East African cultures it is believed that uncut women’s prayers are invalid because they are unclean. This is a cultural belief that is not supported by the religion. In the horn of Africa, FGM/C is widespread. In premodern times, female circumcision was a normative practice in the Arab-Muslim world. However, there is no statement from the Prophet that the prayers of uncircumcised women are not accepted.
6. “FGM only happens in Africa” - FGM is a socio-cultural tradition that is practised across cultures around the world. Although FGM/C is prevalent in several African countries; Somalia (98%), Egypt (87%), Sudan (87%) and Sierra Leone (86%), female genital cutting is also widely practised in non-African countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Bohra community in India. The pre-Islamic Arabs used to practice female genital cutting, including the cutting of the clitoris, which the Prophet forbade. Women who practised female circumcision were called muqatta’ah al-buzur.
7. “The clitoris causes irritation and makes women leak water” - This is an untruth said by some people in west Africa who believe that the clitoris should be removed as it causes uncontrollable itching in girls and women. The tribal tradition practice of female genital cutting in Africa predates Christianity and Islam. It is an ancient cultural practice to control female sexuality. In some west African cultural traditions, it is believed that the clitoris represents male sexuality so it should be removed. Other African cultures believe that if the baby's head touches the clitoris during childbirth, the baby will die or the woman will become insane. Whereas in Egypt, infibulation is known as 'pharaonic circumcision' as it is a practice that probably originated in Pharaonic Egypt. Infibulation is totally prohibited in Islam.
8. “Women cannot enjoy sex or orgasm after FGM” - This is a myth often propagated by anti-FGM activists and western sex educators. Whilst some cut women have negative sexual experiences, it is not true that every woman who has undergone female genital cutting suffers from a sexual dysfunction. A 2007 study led by Italian-Somali gynaecologist Jasmine Abdulcadir found that 86% of FGM/C women reported orgasm. Another study in Nigeria, revealed that circumcised women reported orgasm more than uncircumcised women.
FGM/C in Nigeria
FGM/C is widely practiced in Nigeria, and with its large population, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of cases of FGM/C in the world, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women worldwide. In Nigeria, FGM/C has the highest prevalence in the south-south (77%) (among adult women), followed by the south east (68%) and south west (65%), but practiced on a smaller scale in the north, paradoxically tending to in a more extreme form. The national prevalence rate of FGM/C is 41% among adult women.
The origin of FGM/C is fraught with controversy either as an initiation ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity, or to protect female modesty and chastity. The ritual has been so widespread that it could not have risen from a single origin.
FGM/C is an ancient cultural practice that predates Christianity and Islam entering the west African nation. In Nigeria there are many superstitious beliefs surrounding FGM/C such as the preservation of chastity and purification, family honour, hygiene, aesthetic reasons, protection of virginity and prevention of promiscuity, modification of sociosexual attitudes (countering failure of a woman to attain orgasm), increasing sexual pleasure of husband, enhancing fertility and increasing matrimonial opportunities.
Other reasons are to prevent mother and child from dying during childbirth and for legal reasons (one cannot inherit property if not circumcised). In some parts of Nigeria, the cut edges of the external genitalia are smeared with secretions from a snail footpad with the belief that the snail being a slow animal would influence the circumcised women to “go slow” with sexual activities in future. FGM/C is often routinely performed as an integral part of social conformity and in line with community identity.
In 2015, Nigeria passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act against FGM/C and all other gender-based violence. Although FGM/C is illegal in Nigeria, it is still prevalent. Education plays an essential role in eliminating FGM/C. More awareness about the adverse effects of FGM/C is likely to reduce this harmful cultural practice.
FGM/C is widely practiced in Nigeria, and with its large population, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of cases of FGM/C in the world, accounting for about one-quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women worldwide. In Nigeria, FGM/C has the highest prevalence in the south-south (77%) (among adult women), followed by the south east (68%) and south west (65%), but practiced on a smaller scale in the north, paradoxically tending to in a more extreme form. The national prevalence rate of FGM/C is 41% among adult women.
The origin of FGM/C is fraught with controversy either as an initiation ceremony of young girls into womanhood or to ensure virginity and curb promiscuity, or to protect female modesty and chastity. The ritual has been so widespread that it could not have risen from a single origin.
FGM/C is an ancient cultural practice that predates Christianity and Islam entering the west African nation. In Nigeria there are many superstitious beliefs surrounding FGM/C such as the preservation of chastity and purification, family honour, hygiene, aesthetic reasons, protection of virginity and prevention of promiscuity, modification of sociosexual attitudes (countering failure of a woman to attain orgasm), increasing sexual pleasure of husband, enhancing fertility and increasing matrimonial opportunities.
Other reasons are to prevent mother and child from dying during childbirth and for legal reasons (one cannot inherit property if not circumcised). In some parts of Nigeria, the cut edges of the external genitalia are smeared with secretions from a snail footpad with the belief that the snail being a slow animal would influence the circumcised women to “go slow” with sexual activities in future. FGM/C is often routinely performed as an integral part of social conformity and in line with community identity.
In 2015, Nigeria passed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act against FGM/C and all other gender-based violence. Although FGM/C is illegal in Nigeria, it is still prevalent. Education plays an essential role in eliminating FGM/C. More awareness about the adverse effects of FGM/C is likely to reduce this harmful cultural practice.
FGM (Infibulation) is Absolutely Prohibited in Islam
Unfortunately, some Muslims have gone to extreme with genital cutting practices where the clitoris is removed, along with portions of the external labial tissue around the opening of the vagina.
Taking the process one step further, some African communities follow the ritual cutting of the clitoris and labia by sewing up the genitalia to close off the vagina, leaving a small opening for the passage or urine and menstrual blood. The procedure is called infibulation, and its purpose is to make sexual intercourse impossible until the woman gets married.
Since the sutured labial tissue grows together over the years like a skin graft, significant surgery is necessary to reopen the vaginal passage. In some cases, women need to undergo a surgical procedure to open the closed vaginal orifice. The procedure is known as deinfibulation.
In some tribes in east Africa, before the husband takes his bridge, village women makes an incision to open the infibulated woman's vagina and insert a phallus made of wood or clay. This object may be left in place for days or weeks to prepare the bride for sexual union and, not incidentally, to prevent the wounded tissue from adhering and beginning to grow back together. In other cultures, on the woman's wedding night, the husband is supposed to cut the stitched vulva with a knife before consummating the marriage.
In some cultures, a woman is resewn if her husband travels for an extended time, or if she is divorced.
These FGM/C practices can cause trauma, sexual dysfunction and harmful health issues. Among the most common are clitoral cysts, labial adhesions, recurrent urinary tract infections, renal scarring and kidney dysfunction, sterility, and loss of sexual feeling. Infibulation can also cause severe bleeding (haemorrhage), infections, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), severe pain, fever, complications in childbirth, increased risk of newborn deaths, shock, and death.
Such female genital cutting practices are prohibited in Islam, according to scholars. Any genital cutting practice that harms girls or woman is forbidden.
Unfortunately, some Muslims have gone to extreme with genital cutting practices where the clitoris is removed, along with portions of the external labial tissue around the opening of the vagina.
Taking the process one step further, some African communities follow the ritual cutting of the clitoris and labia by sewing up the genitalia to close off the vagina, leaving a small opening for the passage or urine and menstrual blood. The procedure is called infibulation, and its purpose is to make sexual intercourse impossible until the woman gets married.
Since the sutured labial tissue grows together over the years like a skin graft, significant surgery is necessary to reopen the vaginal passage. In some cases, women need to undergo a surgical procedure to open the closed vaginal orifice. The procedure is known as deinfibulation.
In some tribes in east Africa, before the husband takes his bridge, village women makes an incision to open the infibulated woman's vagina and insert a phallus made of wood or clay. This object may be left in place for days or weeks to prepare the bride for sexual union and, not incidentally, to prevent the wounded tissue from adhering and beginning to grow back together. In other cultures, on the woman's wedding night, the husband is supposed to cut the stitched vulva with a knife before consummating the marriage.
In some cultures, a woman is resewn if her husband travels for an extended time, or if she is divorced.
These FGM/C practices can cause trauma, sexual dysfunction and harmful health issues. Among the most common are clitoral cysts, labial adhesions, recurrent urinary tract infections, renal scarring and kidney dysfunction, sterility, and loss of sexual feeling. Infibulation can also cause severe bleeding (haemorrhage), infections, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), severe pain, fever, complications in childbirth, increased risk of newborn deaths, shock, and death.
Such female genital cutting practices are prohibited in Islam, according to scholars. Any genital cutting practice that harms girls or woman is forbidden.
Some Consequences of FGM
FGM/C practices can cause several medical complications and health concerns, such as:
FGM/C practices can cause several medical complications and health concerns, such as:
- trauma,
- sexual dysfunction,
- clitoral cysts,
- labial adhesions,
- recurrent urinary tract infections,
- renal scarring
- kidney dysfunction,
- sterility,
- loss of sexual feeling,
- severe bleeding (haemorrhage),
- infections,
- vesicovaginal fistula (VVF),
- severe pain, fever,
- complications in childbirth,
- increased risk of newborn deaths,
- shock, and
- death.
Do Not Perform Female Circumcision Where It Is Illegal
In countries where any form of female genital cutting is illegal, Muslim scholars advise Muslims to not perform female circumcision on their girls.
In countries where any form of female genital cutting is illegal, Muslim scholars advise Muslims to not perform female circumcision on their girls.
Benefits of Clitoral Hood Reduction (Islamic Female Circumcision)
According to medical doctors, some of the benefits of clitoral hood reduction procedure are:
Clitoral hood reduction, also known as clitoral hoodoplasty, clitoral hoodectomy, is a cosmetic genital procedure to reduce the amount of skin folds that covers the clitoris (known as the clitoral hood or prepuce). When the excess tissue is removed, it is easier for women to get sexually aroused and eventually reach fulfilment. Some women with large clitoral hoods often feel uncomfortable wearing certain clothes and they may also experience some pain as the clitoral hood is inclined to rub against the thighs. Some women also dislike the appearance of a large clitoral hood, especially when wearing certain cloths as it can be visible.
According to medical doctors, some of the benefits of clitoral hood reduction procedure are:
Clitoral hood reduction, also known as clitoral hoodoplasty, clitoral hoodectomy, is a cosmetic genital procedure to reduce the amount of skin folds that covers the clitoris (known as the clitoral hood or prepuce). When the excess tissue is removed, it is easier for women to get sexually aroused and eventually reach fulfilment. Some women with large clitoral hoods often feel uncomfortable wearing certain clothes and they may also experience some pain as the clitoral hood is inclined to rub against the thighs. Some women also dislike the appearance of a large clitoral hood, especially when wearing certain cloths as it can be visible.
- Increased sexual sensation
- Enhanced clitoral stimulation
- Stronger, more frequent orgasms
- Better ability to reach climax
- Improved cosmetic appearance of vulva
- Decreased discomfort with intercourse
- More natural, feminine, youthful-looking vulva
- Boosted self-confidence
- Improved relationship with partner