Muslim Brotherhood & Women’s Rights (2)

In this section, we present the fatwas of the Brotherhood and their philosophy on several aspects related to women and their rights.

Second: The Sexual Pleasure & Intimacy:

Indeed, there is no shyness in matters of religion.8 Sexual pleasure, as different from lust, is a supreme human value that distinguishes humans from animals. Genuine sexual pleasure is practiced as an expression of love, within the right framework that expresses obedience and submission to the instinctive needs that God has endowed us with. When talking about human pleasure, the meaning must encompass both men and women. It is the right of women to enjoy and give enjoyment. It is neither just nor fair to inflict sexual oppression upon women under the veneer of religion. [But] does this what the Brotherhood really think of?

Issue No. 59, released in March 1981 provides us with the answer.

The fatwa is titled: “Acts That Correspond With Sound Nature”. It was in response to a question by M.A, from Algeria, as saying: “There are a lot of different pinions over the tradition of female circumcision; some people even decry and recoil from it. What is the Islamic ruling on this issue?”

The Brotherhood’s mufti answer comes as follows:

– Circumcision is an ancient tradition that has always been there since the dawn of history. For males, it is the removal of the foreskin from the human penis to prevent accumulation of dirt. For females, it is cutting or removal of some of the external female genitalia. When Islam arrived in Arabia, it approved this tradition; and therefore, both males and females underwent circumcision. It was narrated that Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Ibrahim circumcised himself when he was eighty years old, and he circumcised in Al Kadoum” .Narrated by Al-Bukhari. Al Kadoum is a place in Sham. Majority of Jurists are of the view that circumcision is obligatory; while Shafi’i school of thought9 recommends it on the seventh day [after birth].

Islamic Jurists also have various opinions on the ruling of circumcision. Some maintain that it is incumbent upon every male and female. Others see it as a prophetic tradition [Sunnah] for both sexes. Another group is of the view that it is obligatory upon males only, and that for females, it is decency. Some physicians believe that circumcision reduces excessive sexual desire. It also reduces excessive sensitivity of the clitoris which may cause it to increase in size to three centimeters when aroused, which is very annoying to the husband, especially at the time of intercourse.

Therefore, circumcision is a duty to protect the honor of the female believer, and to preserve and safeguard its chastity. She may fall into what is impermissible. As for arousing the low instincts and desires, Islam is keen to spread the noble sentiments and sublime values that elevate the status of both men and women in this world. Therefore, circumcision is one of the acts that correspond with the sound nature of man (fitrah i.e. natural state of man). Any right-minded person should preserve his/her normal state of mind, health and wellbeing safe from all impurities. Thus, circumcision is one of the inborn characteristics of man (fitrah),

as indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “The fitrah is five things – or five things are part of the fitrah – circumcision, shaving the pubes, plucking the armpit hairs, cutting the nails, and trimming the moustache.” narrated by al-Bukhaari (5889) and Muslim (257).10 [And] God knows best.

Critique:

Yes, jurists have already different views regarding the ruling of circumcision in Islamic Law. None of them said that this was the final and binding ruling of Islam. However, the Brotherhood did not hesitate to do so; and they even see it as an obligation. Their legal evidence bespeaks their misogynistic attitude towards women. They say that physicians believe that non-circumcised women are easily aroused and lustful!. This expression is far from accurate, as if women are plunged into moral licentiousness. To them, women are necessarily driven towards what is impermissible; she is downright evil, corrupt and carnal-minded creature!

The other side of female sexual intimacy is her ability to enjoy sex in legitimate wedlock. However, the Brotherhood pays less or no attention to this aspect. To them, female sexual pleasure is nothing important. What important is how to make man enjoy to the maximum and how she gives birth to his offspring. They believe that sex should only be for the purpose of procreation. The woman has nothing to do with emotional, physical or sexual pleasures.

What logic is this? In addition, what honor can a woman claim if she is naturally fallible? Moreover, how can virtue be compulsory? Why does the Brotherhood rely on the opinion of some physicians to the exclusion of others? Why do not they bother reading the enlightened Islamic view presented by the diligent scholar Dr. Mohammad Salim Al-Awa? Al-Awa confirms that the Holy Quran is free from any provision or ruling on circumcision. The texts of the hadith attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) have no cogency in this regard. Female circumcision is an abuse to the body and an assault on women’s right to sexual pleasure. Al-Awa concludes: “The truth is that circumcision is purely medical matter, decision on which is made by reliable physicians, none else. What they instruct should be followed and binding on the audience. Any Jurist, a scholar of Hadith, an exegete, a preacher, or a student of religious knowledge, cannot criticize conclusions reached by reliable physicians. If competent, reliable physicians maintain that circumcision is harmful to the body, so it should be it; and addressees should act accordingly since Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There should be no harm or reciprocating harm against others.” 11 Let us hope that the Brotherhood will start reading and understanding!