Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Mukadimah
In today's globalised era, exposure to foreign culture and lifestyle are the norm in our society. All forms of culture, whether it is good or bad are quick to become a trend. Social media and the internet are huge factors in influencing society.
When a certain society is firm believers and holds a high standard of values, they are not so quick to be influenced by the newest trends. On the other hand, for a society who does not have ample knowledge in religion are susceptible and quick to accept the newest trends, even if it contradicts with Islamic teachings.
Among the popular trends among even Muslims nowadays is women imitating or resembling men and men imitating or resembling women. The reason is, a new trend in the fight against discrimination has led towards the new belief of accepting unisex. It is a deviant doctrine where there is no separation or difference between male and female. Hence, there are now young adolescent girls that bind their breasts, wear male clothing, or do anything to resemble men or to not look like a woman.
It is the same for men, where they wear women's clothing (or whose actions or conduct similar to a woman), grow their breasts through silicone or hormone injections, even when they would need to spend a huge amount of money. These types of stories are viral in our society, portraying how these groups of people are discriminated against. This, in turn, shapes our society's perception towards them, empathizing with their situation and ultimately make it seems as though it is permissible and a personal right of an individual.
Dr Abdullah Nasih ‘Ulwan stated in his book: "Our youth nowadays are plagued with the culture of blindly following the trends. Thus, it is the responsibility of us to educate them with wisdom and understanding to treat this disease." Without prejudice, these are among the propaganda that harms the eminence of Islam as a religion.
With more and more cases of men resembling women and women resembling men in Malaysia, we should contemplate on the statement made by our former Chief of Judge, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad: "When syarak rulings are considered through liberal values and based on Western human rights and when the syarak is challenged without valid reasons from a judge, which includes the non-Muslims, thus, the syarak will always be exposed to be ruled as invalid."
Hence, in this series of Bayan Linnas (revised edition), the issue regarding tasyabbuh or women resembling men and vice versa will be discussed again specifically.
Women Resembling Men and Vice Versa (Tasyabbuh)
In Malay, a female individual who acts like a man (for example, wears man's clothing and others) is also known as ‘tomboy' and the word ‘mak nyah' usually refers to men resembling a woman. While in Arabic; the word ‘tasyabbuh' literally means resembling something.
In fiqh, it means a woman resembling man or vice versa in the following:
- Clothing
- Adornments
- Conversation and voice
- Walking and conduct
- Changing one's physical characteristics
The Ruling of Tasyabbuh
Tasyabbuh is prohibited (haram) and is among the major sins in Islam according to prophetic and Quranic evidences. From Ibn ‘Abbas R.Anhuma, the Prophet PBUH said:
لَعَنَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُخَنَّثِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ، وَالْمُتَرَجِّلاَتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ
"The Prophet PBUH cursed effeminate men (mukhannathan) and women who imitated men."
Sahih al-Bukhari (5886)
Ibn al-Athir said: al-Mutarajjilat is a woman who resembles a man in terms of clothing and conduct. Al-Mukhannath is a man who resembles a woman. [Al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith wa al-Athar. Dar al-Fikr, 2/203]
In another narration:
لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُتَشَبِّهِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ بِالنِّسَاءِ، وَالْمُتَشَبِّهَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ بِالرِّجَالِ
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed men who copy women and cursed women who copy men."
Sahih al-Bukhari (5885)
In Tuhfah al-Ahwazi bi Syarh Jami' al-Trmizi by al-Imam al-Tabari, it is stated that it is prohibited for a man to resemble a woman in terms of clothing and adornment that is especially for woman and vice versa. The same is stated by al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar; the resemblance in terms of speech or conversation and walk or conduct is prohibited, while in terms of clothing, it depends on a certain place or custom. [Tuhfah al-Ahwazi. Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 8/57]
Al-Imam al-San'ani said that since the Prophet PBUH himself cursed the act, it clearly shows how great the sin is. The above hadith is the evidence of the prohibition of a woman resembling a man and vice versa. [Subul al-Salam. Dar al-Hadith, 2/421]
According to al-Imam al-Shaukani, the above hadith is the evidence for the prohibition of a man resembling a woman and a woman resembling a man in terms of speech, clothing and others. [Nail al-Awtor. Dar al-Hadith, 6/230]
Syeikh Dr Wahbah al-Zuhaili in his book al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuh also states that it is prohibited for a man to resemble a woman and vice versa.
Fatwa
The following are the fatwa issued by religious bodies of authorities:
- Muzakarah of Fatwa Committee of National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia on April 1982 decided, that for someone born a male, for his entire life, he will have to follow the rulings for a man, the same for someone who is born a female, she will have to follow the rulings for a woman for her entire life, even if (the man or woman) has successfully changed genders. Gender change from a man to a woman and vice versa is prohibited in syarak.
- Muzakarah of Fatwa Committee of National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia on October 2008 stated, pengkid is a woman who acts and has sexual desires the same of a man and it is prohibited in Islam.
- A fatwa issued by the state of Perak in June 2010 stated that pengkid is a woman that acts like a man and have the conduct and sexual desires of a man, and a man that resembles a woman (mak nyah or transgender) in terms of clothing, conduct, appearance and sexual desires of a woman is prohibited in Islam.
- The state of Malacca and Kedah also issued a similar fatwa through the 83rd Fatwa of National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia on 22nd-24th October 2008 stating pengkid is a woman whose appearance, conduct and sexual desires are of a man and it is prohibited in Islam.
- State of Johor Fatwa Meeting Committee which was held on 5th Zulhijjah 1429H or 3rd December 2008 discussed the Ruling of a Woman Resembling a Man (Pengkid) and the meeting decided that pengkid is a woman resembling a man and have a sexual relationship with other women and it is prohibited in Islam. [13]
- Syeikh Ibn Jibreen in his fatwa also prohibited the act of a man resembling a woman, and a woman resembling a man in terms of clothing, speech and walk. [14]
A resemblance in Terms of Clothing
From Abu Hurairah RA, the Prophet PBUH said:
لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الرَّجُلَ يَلْبَسُ لِبْسَةَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَالْمَرْأَةَ تَلْبَسُ لِبْسَةَ الرَّجُلِ
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed a man who puts on the dress of women, and a woman who puts on the dress of men."
Sunan Abu Daud (1632)
Al-Imam al-Zahabi said: "When a woman wears the clothing of a man and act like a man, with tight clothing that made her body shape visible, then it is considered that she has resembled a man and she deserves to receive the curse of Allah SWT and His Messenger the Prophet PBUH."
The curse of Allah SWT and the Prophet PBUH is also on the husband of the woman, if he asked his wife to wear such clothing or he does not care and he does not restrict her, for it is his responsibility as her husband, it is his obligation to correct his wife and advise her to obey Allah SWT and the Prophet PBUH and to prevent her from committing sins and transgressions. This is in accordance with Allah SWT's statement in Surah al-Tahrim, verse 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّـهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded."
Surah al-Tahrim (6)
Al-Imam al-Qurtubi in his commentaries on the above verse states that it is obligatory for a man to improve and correct himself in obedience towards Allah SWT, improving and correcting his family members the same as a leader correcting his people. Teaching them about what is permissible and what is not, preventing and avoiding sins and transgressions which is closely related to Islamic rulings. (Refer Al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Quran. Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyyah, 18/195)
Al-Imam Ibn Kathir cited the words of Mujahid regarding the commentaries of the above verse stating the necessity of taqwa towards Allah SWT and reminding family members to have taqwa and obey Allah SWT, preventing them from sin and help them in the obedience towards Allah SWT. (Refer Tafsir al-Quran al-‘Azim. Dar al-Taybah, 8/167)
Introduction of GID
Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is a situation where an individual feels as though the individual is either a male or a female which conflicts with the individual's anatomy. In the medical field, it is described as when someone insists, he/she is of the opposite gender. Gender identity disorder can happen to someone as early as a child of two to four years old.
For an individual who is born as a man, inclination towards the opposite gender is observed through his actions; whether he is inclined towards games, clothing and activities that are more feminine. While for someone who is born a woman, they are identified to incline the opposite gender through their preference in role-play, ambition and fantasies.
GID is a mental disorder that has no relation to transgender. Transgender closely related to the actions and appearance of someone. The inclination of someone to act, behave and assume the appearance of the opposite gender does not necessarily mean he suffers from GID.
Is GID Treatable?
Gender identity disorder can be treated through hormone therapy and surgery to help the individual to assume the gender and physical appearance that he/she identifies with. This step is taken only after a strict assessment and evaluation is conducted.
In truth, this issue is spreading in our society and should be taken into consideration to be managed and handled with wisdom. The issue regarding the rehabilitation for these people should be adapted for there is a high percentage for it to be successful. This is proven when more than 3000 individuals who are transgender (mak nyah, lesbian, gay and bisexual) has been rehabilitated through the efforts from Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (JAKIM) and Federal Territory Islamic Religious Department (JAWI).
Statement of Mufti of Federal Territories
After analysing this issue and reviewing the opinions of scholars, our opinions are as the following:
- There should be an appeal from all parties in empowering the rulings and fatwa that has been issued through sound and correct evidences. Alhamdulillah and congratulations to the body of authorities who are responsible in defending Islam and its teachings.
- Administration and obedience of syarak is the priority because in truth the rulings in Islam is from Rabb al-‘Alamin.
- A man should be a man and a woman should be a woman following the sunnatullah of Allah SWT. Every creation of Allah SWT is a form of blessing and this includes the creation of humans.
- They should not be accepted easily into society using the excuse of an illness, especially when in truth it is a form of deviation of nature and should be prevented from being a third party in our society.
- We hope that the fear towards Allah SWT in the hearts of Muslims would enable everyone to obey Him through the concept of sami'na wa ata'na (we hear and we obey) and should be practised in our daily lives.
- A ruling is not based solely on logic or the so-called freedom of human rights, but it is based on revelation from Allah SWT and hadyun nabawi (guidance of the prophet). This should be understood by every Muslim.
- Never contradict or challenge a fatwa issued by scholars for they do not issue a fatwa unless they have studied the issue thoroughly referring to the Quran, al-Sunnah, qiyas and ijma'.
- Respecting scholars is among the characteristics of a good Muslim.
I hope that with the above explanation regarding this issue, we could all contemplate and obey what has been set by Allah SWT. Hopefully, we could obey all the commandments of Allah SWT and practise the concept of sami'na wa ata'na (we hear and we obey) in everything that we do. bey) in everything that we do.