Female Circumcision: Is It Permissible? Muhammadiyah's Explanation

In many Muslim-majority countries, circumcision or khitan is a common practice. In various traditions, cutting the foreskin signifies that a person has reached maturity. Generally, there are no issues regarding circumcision for boys. However, is it permissible to circumcise girls? As quoted from the book Menafsir Ulang Kesehatan Reproduksi dalam Perspektif Islam Berkemajuan (2022), published by Republika from the PP ’Aisyiyah website, Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid of Muhammadiyah has a view on this matter. Female circumcision is indeed found in various parts of the world. In Africa, for example, female circumcision is called Pharaonic circumcision (khitan ala Fir’aun). That circumcision is extremely cruel and contradicts Islamic teachings. There are several types of procedures in that African practice: trimming the clitoris; cutting part of the inner vaginal lips; or sewing part of the opening where menstrual blood exits. Examination of hadiths supporting female circumcision In an Islamic perspective, there are indeed some scholars who state that circumcision is obligatory for males but not for females. Among those holding this view is Ibnu Qudamah. This is based on a hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW. From Ummu ’Atiyah, the female circumciser from Bani Anshar in Madinah, it is mentioned that the Prophet SAW said, “Cut a little and do not exaggerate because it will brighten the face and please the husband” (HR Abu Dawud and Baihaqi). From this wording, it appears that female circumcision has a different purpose from male circumcision, which aims to achieve purity and cleanliness. However, what is important to know is that this hadith, according to a study, is of dhaif (weak) grade. This is because one of its chains of narration is Muhammad bin Said, who was crucified to death for being a zindiq. This person is known to have fabricated four thousand false hadiths. There is also another wording, originating from Anas bin Malik. “Indeed, the Prophet SAW said to Ummu ‘Atiyah, the female circumciser from Madinah, ‘Cut a little and do not exaggerate because it will brighten the face and please the husband’” (HR Thabrani).