|
Asalam Alaikum, I was born a girl, raised as one, but I have always felt that I am a boy inside. When I was a child I was convinced when I became a teenager I would grow a penis and was confused as to why I could not pee standing. I refused to wear dresses and would beg my mother to take me to the boys' section of shops. Puberty was an abnormal experience. I felt detached from my body and when I was 13 I began to self-harm and became depressed. Around this time I found the term 'transgender' and I felt as though this made sense to how I feel. For a long time I felt much happier and have not self-harmed since. I had become much closer to Allah (SWT) and my deen as well. I told my family how I felt but they told me it is haraam. They told me Allah (SWT) made me a female for a reason. I'm now really confused. I hear many Muslims say it is okay and many say it is haraam. I understand Shias do not have a problem but I am Sunni and I would like guidance on the Sunni ruling. I understand it is said that it is haraam for women to mimic men and vice-versa, but there is not much on the definition of people born with the wrong genitalia. In Islam it is okay for hermaphrodites to exist and even undergo surgery, so what about trangender people? |
|
|
Asalaaamolaykum sister. I am not a sheikh, but I will share my opinion and also some things I recently read about the Prohpet PBUH's teachings.
I also want to mention one more thing: you used the phrase "being born with the wrong genitalia," please keep in mind what you are suggesting, that Allah swt has made a mistake. So you have to ask yourself, does Allah swt will something with it having flaws, or do you believe there is wisdom in everything He wills? From a physiological point of view I will try to explain to you how a child is a boy or girl. Once an egg is fertilized by a sperm, that's it, the gender is determined. An egg fertilized by a sperm with male properties will grow into a male child, or female if the genes in the sperm are for females. The amount of genetic information in the gametes, sperm and egg, are limited and therefore it's basically either male or female. Now, if there were genetic problems, such as the sperm or egg having abnormal genetics, that is a different story. You would have physical distinctions of both types including hormonal imbalances, I feel like that is not the case with you... In the end, I recommend you try to get closer to Allah swt and try your hardest to see the blessings in the way He has made you. I hope my response helped you in some way. May Allah swt help you find happiness and guide you. Salaam. |
|
|
Assalamu Alaikum dear sister, If you were born a hermaphrodite, where some sex organs are hidden, or you have sex organs from both sexes, it is ok to get an operation to make you one gender or the other, determined by a doctor. Why do hermaphrodites exist? Well we know that God sometimes tests us with hardship. A saying of Muhammad (pbuh) on hardship in life: "The greatness of the extent of the reward is proportional to the greatness of the affliction. When Allaah loves some people, He afflicts them. So, those of them who are content get the reward of being content while those who get angry get the punishment of being discontent." [At-Tirmithi] As for a regular 100% male wanting to become a female or vice versa, no this is forbidden. The Qu'ran instructs us not to be jealous of what another person has. This includes another's gender: "And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel others. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allah of His bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things." (An-Nisa': 32) |
|
