Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(245): "Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder"

Date Added : 04-12-2017

Resolution No.(245)(14/2017) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Treatment of Gender Identity Disorder"

Date: 2/Rabi` Al Thani/1439, corresponding to 21/11/2017.

 

During its 13th session held on the above date, the Board reviewed the letter sent from the Mufti of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army concerning a question passed to him by the Royal Medical Services about two female patients who have what is known as "Gender Identity Disorder." Although they have normal female organs and hormones, their thinking and sexual orientation are purely masculine. Therefore, they are demanding gender transformation through removing their breasts and uteri in addition to the rest of the genital apparatus, and getting a male genital apparatus later on. Could you clarify the ruling of Sharia on such case since it is very rare?

After deliberating, the Board arrived at the following decision:

What determines femininity and masculinity is the body itself and its biological features. The most important of the these is the genital apparatus which differentiates males from females. Therefore,  if someone suffered from gender identity disorder, then it should be treated in a way that brings things back to normal, but in line with the basic masculine or feminine identity  of the genital apparatus of that person, and not transforming his/her gender through removal of genitals by surgery. In fact, it isn`t permissible to rely on psychological disorder as the parameter determining someone`s gender and sexual orientation. Muslim scholars have arrived at this through the following verse (What means): "(The Pagans), leaving Him, call but upon female deities: They call but upon satan the persistent rebel! God did curse him, but he said: "I will take of Thy servants a portion Marked off; "I will mislead them, and I will create in them false desires; I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) nature created by God." Whoever, forsaking God, takes satan for a friend, hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest. Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but satan’s promises are nothing but deception. They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape. {An-Nisa`,117-121}.

In conclusion, transforming someone`s genital apparatus and removing his/her genitals by surgery to treat what is called "Gender Identity Disorder" isn`t permissible in Sharia. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of Iftaa` Board,

Grand Mufti of Jordan,

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh

Vice Chairman, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaz, Member

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Esa, Member

Dr. Majid Darawsheh, Member

Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi, Member

Judge Khalid Woraikat, Member

Dr. Mohammad Al-Zo`bi, Member

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the Islamic ruling on one who was unable to fast and then regained the ability?

 
He is not required to make up the fast (Qada) even if he becomes capable of it; whether he regained the ability to fast after paying the fidya (feeding a needy person for each day of missed fasting) or before it, because he was liable for paying it in the first place, so it remains binding upon him. However, if he delayed paying it beyond the first year, nothing is required of him due to the delay. If he is unable to pay it, it does not remain as a debt upon him. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

Is it incumbent on a husband to pay the alimony of his wife if she had left him and stayed at her parent`s without his permission?

When a wife leaves her house, and stays at her parent`s without asking her husband, she is considered a Nashiz (wife who refuses to abide by her husband’s orders), and so she doesn`t deserve an alimony.

What is the ruling on someone who eats or drinks thinking that the night is still present, then realizes that dawn has broken?

Whoever eats or drinks thinking that the night is still present, then later discovers that dawn has broken, must refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day out of respect for the sacred month. However, they must make up that day after Ramadan, and there is no sin upon them.

Is an elderly or chronically ill person required to pay additional fidyah if they delay it beyond the first year?

An elderly person or someone permanently unable to fast must pay fidyah by feeding one needy person for each missed day.
However, if they delay paying fidyah beyond the first year, no additional fidyah is required.
This differs from someone who delays making up missed Ramadan fasts (qada) without a valid excuse until the next Ramadan begins—such a person is required to pay an additional fidyah for the delay.