Female Circumcision (FGM/C) - Between the Incorrect Use of Science and the Misunderstood Doctrine - Executive Summary - Second Edition - 1434 AH-2013 AD

Oct 28, 2026

Female circumcision (FGM/C), also described as female genital mutilation/cutting, is presented as a deeply rooted practice across many nations while clarifying that the debate is not new. Historical sources from Al-Manar and Liwa Al-Islam show senior Muslim scholars treating FGM/C as habit rather than a religious duty when strong evidence indicates harm. The foreword emphasizes respecting knowledge and re-evaluating earlier legal opinions in light of changing circumstances. The preface outlines why the second edition was updated through expert review and reclassified Q&A.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Preface

Historical background on FGM/C debates

Reclassification and additions in the second edition

Expert review and training pre-testing

Female Circumcision between the Incorrect Use of Science and the Misunderstood Doctrine Executive Summary Prof. Dr. Gamal Serour Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology Director of International Islamic Center for Population Studies & Research Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ragaa Abd El-Hameed Ragab Professor of Reproductive Health, International Islamic Center for Population Studies & Research Reviewed and Introduced by Prof. Dr. Ahmad Omar Hashim Former President of Al Azhar University Prof. Dr. Abdullah Al Husaini Former Minister of Waqf Prof. Dr. Ali Gomaa Former Grand Mufti of Egypt Second Edition 1434 AH-2013 AD 2 FEMALE CIRCUMCISION (FGM/C): Between the incorrect use of science and the misunderstood doctrine In the Name of God the Merciful Foreword Praise be to Allah; Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions, Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation/cutting,(FGM/C) is deeply rooted in the history of many nations and peoples. There is a mistaken belief that the debate on FGM/C is a new one, but this is not the case. As far back as 1940, in the Al-Manar Journal, Sheikh M. Rashid Rida responded to a question about FGM/C: "is FGM/C a Fard (compulsory practice of Islam) or Sunnah (Prophet’s recommended practice)?" In addition, the Liwa Al-Islam Journal of June 1951 surveyed the opinions of senior Muslim scholars on this issue, including: Sheikh Ibrahim Hamroush, a member of Al-Azhar Association of Senior Scholars and Chairman of the Fatwa Committee at Al-Azhar; Mr. Abd El-Wahab Khalaf, Prof. of Sharia, Faculty of Law; and Sheikh Mahmoud Bik Al-Banna, also a member of Senior Scholars 1. They were unanimous: FGM/C is a mere matter of habit, which might be abandoned if there is strong scientific evidence that it is harmful. Meanwhile, Sheikh Muhammad Arafa, Editor-in-chief of Al-Manar and a member of Senior Scholars, endorsed the views of these academics in another article published in Al-Manar Journal in June 19532. Throughout the long history of debate and argument on FGM/C, the Senior Scholars have relied on medical science to guide their opinion. Therefore, when the dominant medical science of former times backed its usefulness, Muslim jurists declared that it was a Makramah (virtuous deed) . The word Makramah negates it as a religious duty (Wagib) or a Prophet-recommended FEMALE CIRCUMCISION (FGM/C): Between the incorrect use of science and the misunderstood doctrine 3 practice (Sunnah); rather, it renders it a matter of habit that has been influenced by people›s knowledge and understanding at different times. It is also well known that jurists have rendered their legal fatwa (opinions) on a variety of different matters according to the views given by experts, scientists and scholars, all of whom have, over the years, informed jurists about the damaging psychological, physical, and social impact of FGM/C on women. Islam instructs us to respect knowledge. It also urges us to respect and glorify the virtuous deeds of our ancestors. Yet this does not necessarily make it incumbent upon us to reflect all of their views if the grounds upon which these views were based have changed. In addition, it requires us to be guided by their commitment to a proper comprehension of Sharia; as they performed their duty according to a sober-minded approach that is consistent with knowledge ordained by Allah. However, every era in history has its own circumstances and can have its own interpretations of the approaches taken by ancestors – interpretations that may be considered by scholars while they consider the state of their current reality. 4 FEMALE CIRCUMCISION (FGM/C): Between the incorrect use of science and the misunderstood doctrine Preface When the first edition of Elimination of FGM/C, Questions and Answers To Religious Leaders by Prof. Dr. Gamal Serour and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Rag'a Abd El-Hameed

FAQs

What is the central argument about FGM/C in the executive summary and foreword?

FGM/C is framed as a practice historically tied to habit and influenced by knowledge over time, rather than a compulsory religious duty, especially when scientific evidence indicates harm.

How do the text’s historical sources describe the religious ruling on FGM/C?

They cite responses and scholarly surveys indicating that senior Muslim scholars considered FGM/C abandonable as a habit if harm is established through strong scientific evidence.

Why was the book’s second edition updated?

The board updated it after misinterpreted rulings and unscientific facts emerged, using reclassification of Q&A, additional questions and answers, and careful expert review and pre-testing during training programs.

Oct 28, 2026

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