Female circumcision to beautify the sex organ

26-2-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu Alaikom!! I once read, either in a magazine or online (I am not sure which) ,that female circumcision is not obligatory. But it is recommended to "beautify" the female genitalia in cases of deformity. I posted this in an online forum and have since been asked to provide daleel. I have searched and searched but cannot find the evidnce. Please help in answering this question. Can female circumcision be used to "beautify" the female genitalia? Also, is it haram for a husband to look at his wife's private areas??? Jazak Allah Khair!!

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

We have already issued Fatwa 89229 clarifying that the scholars differed in opinion about the ruling of female circumcision and that the most preponderant opinion is that it is a desirable act [desirable Sunnah]. Some of them stated the wisdom of female circumcision; for instance, Ibn Taymiyyah said: 'The purpose of female circumcision is to reduce the woman's desire because if she is uncircumcised, she becomes lustful…... because an uncircumcised woman tends to long more for men.'

Therefore, female circumcision is a desirable Sunnah which is encouraged in religion, as regards saying that it is for beautification, then we are not aware of any scholar who mentioned this.

The husband is permitted to look at his wife's vagina, but it is more appropriate not do so without a necessity.

For more benefit in this regard, please refer to Fatwa 90980. 

Allaah Knows best.