Amtul Musawar Ahmad, Walsall
Time and again, erroneous acts have been perpetrated in the name of religion, when in reality it is personal and other vested interests that spur individuals to commit them. Sadly, terrorism and Islam are often shown to be closely linked in spite of there being no association between the two by any means. Then there are misidentified notions, such as inequality, violence against women, and child marriage in Islam. As such, the horrendous practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) has also been wrongly aligned with Islam. This is nothing but another myth which is disguised as a religiously motivated practice, which unequivocally has zero links to Islamic tradition. But, just as with the perpetuation of other negative acts, the world has blindly come to believe that from its inception, this culturally significant act was advocated by Islam.[1]
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines FGM as a “traditional harmful practice that involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons.”[2]
In exploration of the allegation that Islam encourages the barbaric act of FGM, if we turn to its practice in the modern era, it will only make sense for it to be widespread amongst the Muslim population, as critics contend. But it is only witnessed by a minuscule minority of Muslims, which proves the weakness of the allegation. Further, no Quranic verse or authentic hadith supports the notion.[3]The Holy Qur’an is the first and most important source of authority for Muslims,[4] therefore if there is no mention of FGM, then it cannot possibly mean Islam in any way condones it.
The Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stance on this issue is frequently found to be purported through the citation of one weak narration in particular. Where critics use this to justify its practice by a small number of Muslims, it must come to their attention that it is a mere misconception ordained by this small fraction, since the Holy Qur’an neither supports it, and the collector of the weak hadith himself considers it of dubious reliability, stating: “Its chain of transmitters is not strong”. Besides, it is not reported as a direct quote of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), which easily makes it unconvincing.
On the contrary, practices involving risk of harm upon one’s health has been prohibited by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be on him), as found in the authentic collection of his sayings. For example:
“…and restrain your hands from doing harm to another.”[5]
Moreover, if FGM had Islamic significance, it would have surely been recommended by the Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) for his own family members, as there was more strictness in the observance of rules for his family than it was for the rest of the Muslim nation. But, there is no record of this.[6]
As far as FGM amongst the Muslim population is concerned, those who believe it to be an Islamic practice, think so out of misapprehension, stemming from the poor validation of the narration discussed above.[7]
In the fight against this maiming practice – executed on, in approximation, three million girls each year and, if it continues at the current rate, then by the year 2030, 4.6 million young girls may be subjected to FGM each year,[8] it becomes even more necessary for the true teachings of Islam to be understood. Once this is achieved, the world will come to know that Islam’s endorsement of FGM is a huge misconception that proponents hold onto, and actually Islam can be effectively used as a force to wipe out the concept of FGM for good.
References
- https://www.reviewofreligions.org/11450/fgm-not-in-the-name-of-islam/
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/female-genital-mutilation#tab=tab_1
- https://www.alislam.org/question/muhammad-endorse-female-genital-mutilation/
- https://www.alislam.org/articles/about-holy-quran/
- https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Wisdom-of-Holy-Prophet.pdf
- https://www.reviewofreligions.org/11450/fgm-not-in-the-name-of-islam/
- https://www.reviewofreligions.org/11450/fgm-not-in-the-name-of-islam/
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/female-genital-mutilation#tab=tab_1
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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