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Category-4: Intersex(Hermophodite)

So far, we have discussed three things that are against fitrah—unnatural, disgusting, filthy, and immoral. The first category we discussed was homosexuality. The second category was transgender. The third category was imitating the opposite gender. All three categories are unnatural, filthy, and immoral.

Now, we are going to discuss Category 4, which are natural, meaning they are inborn. In this chapter, the first topic we will discuss is intersex individuals, who are born with it built in. So, let's discuss Category-4 about intersex individuals and the Islamic ruling on this subject.

Who Should Read This Guide?

• Individuals with intersex conditions (those born with mixed or atypical sexual organs)
• Islamic and non-Islamic students of knowledge
• Teachers and Imams
• Journalists and researchers
• Anyone who wants to understand the difference between Kinner (intersex—those born that way) and the LGBTQ movement (those who identify or transition based on personal feelings)

Why Should You Care About This Subject?

• To understand how the intersex (Kinner) community is different from the LGBTQ community.

As the saying goes, history repeats itself; the people of Prophet Lūṭ (ʿalayhi as-salām) were involved in Homosexual acts.

• To know the Islamic law (Shariah) regarding intersex individuals
• To understand why intersex people are born with mixed or deformed sexual organs, or why signs may appear only at puberty
• To understand whether intersex individuals are cursed or not
• To understand that intersex individuals are natural and do not choose their condition
• To understand society’s attitude toward intersex individuals and their communities
• To avoid watching pornography, movies, and web series that project or exploit intersex individuals inappropriately

How I Collected the Data Regarding the Ruling on Intersex Individuals, Medically and Religiously?

The answer is: I collected the Islamic rulings regarding intersex individuals through Salafi publications networks, usually found on their official websites, official YouTube channels, articles, recordings and podcasts.

As for the medical rulings, I have used trusted sources such as the NHS official website, Healthline, and the Cleveland Clinic—websites that are respected by medical students. However, let me clarify something very important, especially for Muslims: whatever I have quoted from medical sources is based on what is aligned with the Islam, and I do not hold all their articles, medical reports, or podcasts as absolutely true. We do not rely on science to determine the Islamic ruling on intersex individuals; rather, we use medical science solely to examine whether an intersex individual has predominantly male or female characteristics through medical assessment only. That is all; I have used the Islamic arguments and aligned them with medical reports for identifying overwhelming male or female characteristics that support Islamic rulings.

If, later on, the science or any medical doctors suggest or prove something that contradicts the clear cut rulings on intersex individuals, then we will completely reject it. For example, in Islam, we have only two genders—male or female. As for intersex individuals, if the predominant characteristics are male, the Islamic ruling assigns them to the male side, and if the predominant characteristics are female, then Islam places them on the female side. If nothing is clear that whether the intersex individuals are male or female then we will hold our judgement until it becomes clear. We do not have a third gender or a non-binary category.

If, later on, science or any medical understanding starts categorizing intersex individuals within the LGBTQ community due to political pressure or any other reasons, as the LGBTQ movement does, then we will reject it completely. This is because the LGBTQ community chooses to alter their gender, whereas intersex individuals are born with this condition. So, I hope you understand my point regarding our view on science.

We do not reject science; we have two types of science. The first is hard-core science, which we accept and encourage—this includes things like creating computers, building machines, AI tools, medicine, chemistry, and construction—all of these are hard sciences that we accept. The second is fake science, which we call pseudo-science—this is when they discuss matters like life after death, the nature of the soul, or whether God exists. These are considered pseudo-sciences, which we completely reject. We do not rely on scientists or philosophers in these areas, as they go beyond metaphysics and deal with the unseen. I hope you understand.

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#1. Introduction

A clarification on those born with neither fully formed male nor fully formed female sexual organs, but having one or the other characteristic overwhelmingly. This is an involuntary condition; there is no sin upon them, and they are treated with specific compassion and legal guidelines in Sharia(Islamic Law), similar to individuals born blind, mute, or with other disabilities. See Sahih al-Bukhari 5887 & Sahih Muslim 2180.^[1]

Shaykh Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq mentions in his article:

There are intersex people—those who are born without fully formed male or female organs—and their behavioural characteristics are connected to their biologically unclear physical condition. Islam has specific rulings concerning such people, and harming them, oppressing them, or making fun of them is not permissible.

However, this should not be confused with what is called “gender ideology” in the West, which is presented as an ideological tool for indoctrination, sexual corruption, the destruction of the family system, the reshaping of society, and even the removal of private property. Many of these ideas are promoted under the name of science, progress, “inclusion,” and “equality,” while in reality they are used to promote a different agenda. End source: The Two Biological Sexes and the Invention of Gender Identity | AbuIyaad.Com direct link:https://abuiyaad.com/a/biological-sexes-invention-of-gender

Important Note:
The Hadith in which the Last Prophet cursed those who are male but behave like women, or female but behave like men, and those who are born as intersex, uses the same word: Al-Mukhnniseen (الْمُخَنَّثِينَ) or Mukhnnash (مُخَنَّثٌ).

These matters are examined alongside Islamic rulings as explained by scholars and well-grounded students of knowledge, based upon the Quran, Sunnah, and the understanding of the Salaf.

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Intersex individuals are those who are born with deformed sexual organs. Sometimes they have both male and female organs; sometimes they have male sexual organs that are deformed; sometimes they have female sexual organs that are deformed; and sometimes they have neither clearly male nor female sexual organs, but only a single hole from which they urinate. Overall, intersex individuals are those whose sexual organs are atypical or deformed.Being intersex may be evident at birth, childhood or later in adulthood. Being intersex isn’t a disorder, disease or condition.

Always remember that these people are extremely rare, and they are born this way; they do not choose it. Just as we have children born with disabilities—such as being unable to hear, lacking sight, missing limbs, or having intellectual disabilities—we do not say they chose it, nor do we say they are unnatural.

In Islam, based on the predominant characteristics, a intersex person is assigned as either male or female. There is no concept of a third gender, nor is there a concept of being non-binary(neither male or female).

If an individual cannot be clearly categorized as either male or female through medical examination or other means, then scholars have said to wait and withhold judgment until it becomes clear.

Differences in Sex Development (DSD), intersex, and hermaphrodite^[2] are commonly used medical terms^[3], while kinner, hijdah, xakkah and khwaja sira are commonly used social terms in Asian countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

All of these labels are generally used to refer to the same overall condition.

DSD is a natural biological condition present from birth, though it may sometimes become apparent at puberty or later in life. Individuals with DSD require medical understanding, support, and care, not stigma.

According to healthline official site:

Babies who are intersex may have noticeable differences in their genitalia — or they may not. Sometimes, intersex traits affect internal organs or hormone production and are not apparent until puberty or at all.

If you’re a new parent, it can be scary to hear anything unexpected from a doctor after your baby is born. But intersex traits occur naturally, and being intersex is not a disease or condition that affects a baby’s physical health.

Sometimes, a baby can have genitalia with some male characteristics and some female characteristics. Alternatively, some people may be born with a mix of male and female sex characteristics (such as a uterus and testicles) that can’t be seen on the outside.

When someone doesn’t fall exactly into the “male” or “female” sex designation, the term “intersex” may be used.

The term “intersex” isn’t new, and it isn’t political in and of itself. It is becoming a more widely recognizable term, but a lot of people still don’t understand it.

Source: What Does Intersex Look Like at Birth? What to Know

How common is being intersex?

An estimated 1 in 100 Americans is intersex. Around 2% of people worldwide have intersex traits.source: Intersex: What Is Intersex, Intersex Surgery

What causes being intersex?

Experts don’t know what causes being intersex. Some intersex traits can be genetically inherited (passed from one generation to the next in a family). Source: Intersex: What Is Intersex, Intersex Surgery

#2.So, what does intersex look like?

This is a popular question for Google searches, but it might not be the best one to ask.

Keep in mind that people who are intersex are your co-workers, friends, neighbors, and classmates — in other words, you’ve likely interacted with someone who is intersex and had no idea. That’s because they look like anyone else you meet.

It’s true that a baby who has intersex traits will sometimes have noticeable differences in their genitalia.

Here are some possibilities:

• a clitoris that’s larger than expected
• a penis that’s smaller than expected
• no vaginal opening
• a penis without a urethra opening at the tip (the opening might instead be on the underside)
• labia that are closed or otherwise resemble a scrotum
• a scrotum that is empty and resembles labia

But in some cases, the baby’s genitalia might look completely male or completely female. In other words, they may have male anatomy on the outside but female anatomy on the inside or vice versa.

A child’s intersex status might not become obvious until puberty, when their body produces more of a hormone that is not expected according to their assigned sex.

They might not experience certain expected puberty milestones, such as a deepening voice or growing breasts. Or they might experience changes that are characteristic of the sex you think of as the “opposite.”

In these cases, a person who had more male sex characteristics as a child might look “more feminine” after puberty, according to a society that has been slow to reject the traditional binary system. Or a person who “looked female” as a child might start to look more stereotypically male as a teenager.

Sometimes, a person might not learn that they have intersex traits until even later, such as if they have difficulty having children and consult specialists to find out why. It’s even possible to have intersex traits and never know it.

Regardless, a person doesn’t “become” intersex. They are born that way, whether it’s clear at birth or not clear until later.

Source: What Does Intersex Look Like at Birth? What to Know

#3. ‘Treatment’ and things to consider

Intersex is not a disease, and it can’t be “cured.” So in that sense, there’s no treatment.

Some people might experience health conditions related to intersex anatomy that need to be addressed. For example, if you have a uterus but no uterine opening, you might have painful menstrual cycles in which the blood doesn’t exit your body. In this case, you may want to have surgery to create an opening.

But this isn’t “treating intersex” — it is treating a closed uterus.

So, what about your baby, who might not have the expected genitalia?

Source: What Does Intersex Look Like at Birth? What to Know

#4. Types of Intersex (Kinner) Individuals

The intersex individual main issue involves sexual development and orientation. In such individuals, there may be:

• Lack of proper sexual development
• Organs that are not functioning properly
• Unequal development
• Or a mixture of both male and female organs

Sometimes, both male and female organs are present. In some cases, male organs may be developed, and female organs may also exist, but basic functions like urination happen through one specific organ.

However, there are some individuals can be found whose organs are more developed—for example, the body may appear female but male organs are developed and this is very extreme rare condition, in most cases, their sexual organs either deformed or unequal or has both male and female organs or organs don’t function properly.

Below are some lists of individuals intersex types:

• Effeminate men (those who appear female outwardly but have sexual attraction toward women)
• Effeminate women (those who appear male outwardly but have sexual attraction toward men)
• Individuals with predominantly male characteristics but female genitalia, and vice versa
• Individuals with mixed male and female sexual organs
• Individuals with deformed sexual organs
• Individuals with incomplete sexual organs

There are various forms of intersex (Kinner) individuals, with differences in voice, walking style, sexual organs, behavior, and outward and inward characteristics. In many cases, only a proper medical examination by a qualified doctor can determine their condition clearly.

Historical Presence in Hadith(Sunnah)

Intersex or effeminate individuals also existed during the time of the last Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). There was an effeminate man who outwardly appeared like a woman and used to sit and mix with women. However, when the last Prophet (peace be upon him) noticed his speech and behavior—specifically his awareness and description of women—he instructed that such individuals should not freely enter upon النساء (women).

Reference:
Narrated Um Salama: that once the Prophet (ﷺ) was in her house, and an effeminate man was there too. The effeminate man said to `Abdullah, (Um Salama's brother) "0 `Abdullah! If Ta'if should be conquered tomorrow, I recommend you the daughter of Ghailan, for she is so fat that she has four curves in the front (of her belly) and eight at the back." So the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to his wives) "These effeminate (men) should not enter upon you (your houses). - Sahih al-Bukhari 5887, if you go to previous hadith 5886, the same mukhaniseen word is used to describe those people who imitiate opposite gender and they are cursed.

Umm Salama reported that she had a eunuch (as a slave) in her house. Allah's Messenger imay peace be upon him) was once in the house that he (the eunuch) said to the brother of Umm Salama: Abdullahb. Aba Umayya. if Allah grants you victory in Ta'if on the next day, I will show you the daughter of Ghailan for she has four folds (upon her body) on the front side of her stomach and eight folds on the back. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) heard this and he said: Such (people) should not visit you. - Sahih Muslim 2180

Understanding the Ruling and Context

This shows that such individuals existed before, during, and after the time of the Last Prophet (peace be upon him).

• Based on outward appearance, the person was initially treated accordingly as female
• But when hidden intentions or desires became clear that the intersex individual is men in reality, boundaries were set

Important Clarifications

• Some intersex individuals may hide their reality, and sometimes their families may also do so due to social pressure, shame, or fear of losing status as societies see intersex individuals as evil and hated.
• Intersex individuals are not cursed
• They have the right to live within society among normal people

However, they should not hide their reality when it affects social or religious rulings

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#5.Terminologies:

Kinner, Intersex, Hermaphrodites, and Hijda or xhakka or khwaja sira in Asian Countries(India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal), Effeminate(Mukhannas) the one who is not cursed in hadith are the same things.

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#6.How many people are born intersex?

As many as 1 in 100

Trusted Source

my.clevelandclinic.org said: An estimated 1 in 100 Americans is intersex. Around 2% of people worldwide have intersex traits.

People are born with a difference in sex development (DSD), which is another term for intersex.

According to the Intersex Society of North America, about 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000 people are determined intersex at birth.

However, some intersex people only find out about their DSD later on in life, like at puberty or as an adult. It’s even possible to have intersex traits and never know.

This number depends on how you define “intersex.” Many people have variations in sex differences that are not apparent to others. As such, some clinicians might not consider them intersex. – [source health line https://www.healthline.com/health/sex-chromosomes#faq]

Babies who are intersex may have noticeable differences in their genitalia — but they also may not. Sometimes, intersex traits can involve internal organs or hormone production and are not apparent until puberty or at all – [https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/what-does-intersex-look-like#considerations]

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#7.Why are humans born as Intersex?

The short answer is: Just like humans are born deaf, dumb, blind, and disabled same way these intersex humans are born. The ratio is extremely rare.Allah is Al-Hakim(All-Wise) & Al-Alim(All-Knowledgeable).

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#8. Why Some People Hide Their Child’s Intersex Condition (At Birth or Puberty)

There are several reasons why some parents hide the intersex condition of their child:

• In many societies today, intersex individuals are viewed with hatred, and are wrongly considered cursed or abnormal
• People often mock them, make fun of them, and treat them as low in society
• Due to this social pressure, parents feel ashamed and fear خوف of losing their honor, status, and respect among relatives and the community

Because of this:

• Some parents hide the reality of their child
• In some cases, they even marry off their intersex child, and later Allah exposes what they were hiding
• Such cases do exist, and people have personally witnessed them

May Allah protect us from such ظلم (oppression), where people do not respect the honor and dignity of Allah’s creation.

Serious Issue: Deception and Forced Normalization

It is also found that:

• Some parents keep the condition completely secret
• They may even go for medical procedures or surgeries only to make the child appear “normal” for marriage even though the person is not suitable for marriage.
• So that society cannot recognize the reality

This is clearly:

• Deception (fraud)
• And a form of oppression (zulm) against another human being

Parents must fear Allah before taking such steps, because they may end up destroying someone else’s life through dishonesty.

Zulm (Oppression) and Its Consequences

Oppression against people is a serious matter in Islam. It is from the type of zulm that Allah will not overlook on the Day of Judgment until justice is given.

The Last Prophet ﷺ said:

"He who has wronged his brother, concerning his honor or anything else, let him ask for his pardon today before there comes a time when there will be neither a dinar nor a dirham. If he has good deeds, an amount equivalent to the wrong he has done will be taken from his good deeds. If he has no good deeds, then some of his companion's bad deeds will be taken and loaded upon him."  

Reference: [Sahīh Al-Bukhāri - 2449]

It is soundly narrated in Saheeh Muslim (2581) from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you know what bankrupt means?” They said: Among us, the one who is bankrupt is the one who has no money or wealth. He said: “The one who is bankrupt among my ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and zakaah, but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one and beaten this one. They will each be given from his good deeds, and if his good deeds run out before the scores have been settled, some of their bad deeds will be taken and cast upon him, then he will be thrown into Hell.”

And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah will gather the people” – and he gestured with his hand towards Syria – “naked, barefoot, uncircumcised, destitute.” I said: O Messenger of Allah, what is destitute? He said: “Those who have nothing with them. A caller will call out with a voice that will be heard from afar just as it will be heard from up close: I am the Sovereign, the Judge. None of the people of Paradise should enter Paradise when any of the people of Hell is seeking redress from him for having wronged him, and none of the people of Hell should enter Hell when any of the people of Paradise is seeking redress from him for having wronged him, even for a slap.” I said: How will that be redressed when we will come naked, uncircumcised, destitute? He said: “By means of hasanaat (good deeds) and sayyi’aat (bad deeds).” Narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad (16042); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Targheeb wa’t-Tarheeb (3608).

Conclusion

• Hiding such a reality out of fear of society leads to greater ظلم and harm
• Intersex individuals are Allah’s creation with dignity, not something to be hidden or exploited
• Justice will be established, and every ظلم oppressor will be accounted for on the Day of Judgment

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#9. How Should Parents React?

It is natural to feel very sad if a child is born intersex (Kinner) in a family. The entire family may experience shock and even enter a period of depression.

Generally, parents and families have two main ways to approach this situation:

1. Patience
   This means enduring any harm or criticism from others with forbearance. Abdullah bin Umar (Radiallahoanhu) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
   “The believer who mixes with the people and shows patience over their harm is superior to the believer who does not mix with the people and does not show patience over their harm.”
   [Patience and Gratitude by Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah, published by Hikmaah Publications; translation and notes by Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq. Hadith referenced from Sahih al-Jami’ al-Saghir of Shaykh al-Albani, no: 6651]

Patience(Sabr) is divided into three essential categories, as mentioned by the scholars based upon the islamic teaching^[4]:

• Patience upon the obedience of Allah
• Patience in staying away from disobedience to Allah
• Patience upon the decree of Allah either good or bad in life

2. Facing the Situation Directly
   Continue your life while addressing the reality. Speak to an Imam you trust, someone knowledgeable in Deen, for guidance on rulings regarding intersex individuals.

• However, it is unfortunately common that some parents keep the condition secret or even pursue surgery just to enable marriage without society knowing even though Intersex individual is not suitable for marriage.
• This is fraud and a form of oppression (Zulm) against Allah’s creation. Parents should fear Allah, as destroying someone’s life in this way is a grave sin.

Avoid Overthinking: Punishment or Test?

Parents and guardians should not remain stuck wondering whether this situation is a punishment or a test from Allah. Instead, they should:

• Remain in Tawbah (repentance)
• Continue performing righteous deeds
• Consider checking Major Shirk-Kufr and those Bidah which are major shirk-kufr.

Shaykh Abdullah Al-Lahmani advises:

“Do not busy yourself thinking whether it is a trial or a punishment. Continue your worship (Ibadah) and ask Allah for forgiveness, because the obligation to do good remains the same whether it is a trial or punishment.”
[Source: Masjid Darrusunnah, YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rtJQ4WwuGy0]

How Do You Know if a Calamity Is a Trial or a Punishment?

Answered by Shaykh Sālih Ibn Fawzān Al-Fawzān:

Question: How does a servant know if what befalls him is a punishment or a test from Allah?

Answer:

• The believer should hold himself accountable. If he has sins or wrong deeds, the calamity may be a punishment and warning from Allah to encourage repentance.
• If the believer has no sins (except what Allah allows), the calamity may be a means to elevate his rank in Paradise, a station that cannot be attained by deeds alone.

Allah is All-Wise and All-Knowing. He decrees calamities for the benefit of believers, never out of vengeance.

• For hypocrites and disbelievers, calamities serve as punishment and destruction.
• As Allah stated during the Incident of Uhud:

“…So that Allah may test (or purify) the believers from sins and destroy the disbelievers.”

Thus, calamities purify believers and punish disbelievers.

The Muslim must reflect on himself and know:

“Nothing befalls you of calamity except due to what your own hands have earned, and Allah pardons much.”

Translation by Abdullāh ibn Abdul-Wāhid Alam, 29 December 2021
Link: https://abukhadeejah.com/how-do-you-know-if-a-calamity-is-a-trial-or-a-punishment-answer-shaikh-salih-fawzan/

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#10. Don’t Attribute Evil to Allah

📚 Reference: Sahih Muslim 771

Narrated from ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):

The Prophet ﷺ used to say in his night prayer:

“O Allah, all praise is due to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. All praise is due to You. You are the Maintainer of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them...”

Then, near the end of the duʿā’, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“…And evil is not attributed to You. I turn to You. You are my Lord…”

✅ Arabic Text (Partial):

لَبَّيْكَ وَسَعْدَيْكَ وَالْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِي يَدَيْكَ وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ أَنَا بِكَ وَإِلَيْكَ تَبَارَكْتَ وَتَعَالَيْتَ

Source: Sahih Muslim, Book 4 (Book of Prayer), Hadith 771

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🟢 Note:
This duʿā’ begins with praise of Allah and ends with an important theological principle: although Allah created everything, we do not attribute “sharr” (evil) to Him.

The full hadith also shows the Prophet ﷺ beginning with glorification and ending with a recognition that sin and evil are due to humans, not Allah. The phrase:

وَالشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ

literally means: “Evil is not attributed to You” or “Evil is not from You in the sense of attribution.”

This confirms that Allah is perfect and free of evil, while evil and sin arise from the actions of His servants. This is emphasized in the duʿā’ when the Prophet ﷺ says:

“I wronged myself and confessed my sin,”

showing that the sin is attributed to the servant, not to Allah.

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Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullaah) highlights this in his book Fate in Islam (The Salaf’s Guide to Understanding Al-Qadaa’ Wal Qadar), stating:

“I am here at Your service and ready to obey You. All good is in Your Hand, and evil is not attributed to You. I am by You and I turn to You. You are Blessed and Most High.”
(PDF page 93)

About Dr. Saleh As-Saleh:

• One of the foremost students of Shaykh Ibnul-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah).
• Obtained a PhD in Medical Biochemistry and served as a professor at Qaasim University, KSA.
• Lived in ‘Unayzah, KSA, and authored many books, holding regular English-language Islamic classes online.
• His website, maintained by his son: http://understand-islam.net/

Summary:
The hadith clearly teaches that all good belongs to Allah, while evil and sin are never His attributes. Humans are accountable for their own actions, and recognizing this is part of proper worship and theological understanding.

Always remember, everything is pre-decreed by Allah before He created this creation, and everyone is pre-destined either for Hell or for Heaven for eternity. But the main question arises: yes, Allah knows our pre-destiny—whether in Paradise or Hell—but hold on: knowing Allah does not mean we know too. Of course not; only Allah knows, and we do not know what is prepared in the pre-decree. So, take an action to know the Qadar (pre-decree) of Allah, meaning we do not know whether we are destined for eternal Paradise or eternal Hell, but Allah knows.

To come to know about our fate in the Hereafter, we have to take action, just like in our daily life: Allah knows what we will do, but we do not know. So, what do we do? We take action using the asbāb (means) that Allah has placed in this worldly life. None knows what is pre-decreed for him or her until it actually passes. Similarly, keep doing righteous actions, and on the Day of Judgment, Allah will reveal your pre-decree destination.

Understanding Qadar (Divine Pre-Decree) and Human Action

Everything is Pre-Decreed by Allah

• Allah knows everything before creating the universe.
• Every person’s final abode—Paradise or Hell—is known to Allah, part of His divine knowledge.
• Highlight: “Everything pre-decreed by Allah before creation.”

Knowledge of Allah vs. Knowledge of Humans

• Just because Allah knows our destiny, it does not mean we know it.
• Humans cannot perceive their pre-decree in the Hereafter.
• Highlight: “Knowing Allah does not mean we know too.”

Action is Required to Understand Qadar

• While Allah knows, humans must take action in this life to come closer to understanding their fate.
• This is similar to daily life: Allah knows what we will do, but we still act using causes and means (asbāb).
• Highlight: “To know about fate in the Hereafter, we must take action in this life.”

Righteous Actions are Key

• We do not know our pre-decree, so we continue to perform righteous deeds.
• Only on the Day of Judgment will Allah reveal the final outcome of our destiny.
• Highlight: “Keep doing righteous actions; the pre-decree destination will be revealed on the Day of Judgment.”

Practical Understanding

• Life is a balance between trusting Allah’s knowledge and actively taking action.
• We rely on asbāb (means, like studying, praying, and working) while leaving the results to Allah.
• This teaches humility, reliance on Allah, and consistent good deeds.

Dr. Saleh As-Saleh mentioned in his book “Al Qadaa wal Qadar (Fate in Islam)

“ that:

AI-Qadar is a secret unknown to any creature until it is manifested. The person's will precedes his action and it is not based upon a knowledge of AI-Qadar. · Claiming that Allah ordained upon him such and such, is false because it is a claim of knowing the unseen which is only known to Allah. Pdf-page 87.

Let us not forget that the matter of AI-Qadar is the "secret" of Allah in His creation. He did not reveal it to a close angel, nor to a ProphetMessenger."128 We believe in the great Wisdom of Allah in His creation and we do not question Him on anything: "He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned." (Qur'an 21: 23)

Certainly, if a matter is not clear to us, it does not mean that there is no wisdom behind its occurrence. Always there is a Wisdom behind everything that Allah creates or does not create. He is the All-Wise; His wisdom is not to make all of His Wisdom known to us. When It is considered foolishness that a person reveals everything he knows to others, then is it fitting to Allah the Exalted and Most Perfect to reveal everything? Pdf-page 116-117.

Side note: It is illogical and doesn't make sense to use our limited intellect to judge Allah's actions, who is perfect in His knowledge and wisdom. For example, if a person is cutting someone’s forearm and you see it, you might think how cruel this person is, but if the person explains, “I am a doctor; if I don’t cut his arm, his deadly disease will spread in his body and he may die,” then the action becomes understandable. This is just a smaller-scale example. Another example is a 5-year-old child who cries when a doctor injects her; the child judges the doctor’s action as evil with her limited intellect. It is illogical, irrational, and impossible to judge Allah’s actions and knowledge based upon the limited intellect that we have.

Everyone is inside Allah's Qadr – no one is outside of Allah's Qadr:

Certainly, when a person is about to do something, he proceeds based upon his own choice, without any knowledge that Allah had pre-ordained it and imposed it upon him. That is why some scholars said that the AI-Qadar is "a sealed secret." Not all of us know that Allah had decreed such and such until it is actually manifested; only then can we say that Allah had pre-ordained it as such and such. Of course, this does not mean blaming AI-Qadar for our deeds.

In this regard, a story about Umar ibn Al-Khattab relates that when he wanted to cut the hand of a thief, the thief said:

"Wait, O Commander of the Faithful! By Allah, I did not steal except by the AI-Qadar of Allah" (i.e., blaming his action on AI-Qadar).

Umar replied:

"And we will cut your hand only by the AI-Qadar of Allah."

Thus, Umar established evidence against the excuse of the thief. Of course, Umar could have established evidence by both the Judicial or Legislative Will (because he is commanded to cut the hand of the thief) and by AI-Qadar (Universal Will).

Therefore, no one has the right to take AI-Qadar as an excuse for committing sin.-Pdf-page 119.

AI-Qadar, is Allah's Secret. Therefore, our minds are not independently able to comprehend all of its details. Sufficent is what revealed to the Prophets about it. We are permitted to seek knowledge about A/- Qadar, and this is different from asking questions like: "Why did Allah guide "Ahmad" but not "Salem?", "Why rain falls on the "southern" part of the land but not on "eastern side?" etc. Certainly, The Wisdom of Allah in AI-Qadar cannot be questioned! - pdf page-154.

End of Speech source: Fate in Islam (1995) by Saleh as-Saleh.pdf 

The Link Between Life and Imaan

Murrah narrated from Abdullāh Ibn Mas’ūd (radiyallāhu ’anhu) that he said:

“Allah has divided manners between you just as He divided your provision. Verily, Allah gives wealth to whom He loves and whom He does not love—but He does not bestow Īmān except upon whom He loves…”
(Reported by Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, no. 275; graded saheeh by Al-Albāni in As-Saheehah, no. 2714. Marfoo’ narration.)

Everyone’s outcome will be revealed in the Hereafter on the Day of Judgement. Even if a person has only a mustard seed of Imaan, Allah will save them from eternal Hellfire.

Hadith Evidence

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When the people of Paradise have entered Paradise, and the people of the Fire have entered the Fire, Allah will say, ‘Take out (of the Fire) whoever has faith equal to a mustard seed in his heart.’ They will come out, and by that time they would have burnt and became like coal. Then they will be thrown into the river of Al-Hayyat (life) and they will spring up just as a seed grows on the bank of a rainwater stream. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Don't you see that the germinating seed comes out yellow and twisted?’”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 6560)

Qur’an Confirmation:

{And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as reckoners.}
(Al-Anbiya’ 21:47)

Everyone Enters Paradise Only by the Mercy of Allāh

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

“None of you will enter Paradise because of his deeds.”
They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allāh?”
He said, “Not even me, unless Allāh covers me with His mercy.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)

This ḥadīth clearly proves that entry into Jannah itself is not earned by deeds alone. Even the last Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ will enter Paradise only through the mercy of Allāh. This shows how great and vast the mercy of Allāh is. 🤲✨

But the Level of Jannah Is According to Deeds

A question was asked to our teacher (Ustad) Shamshi at the Dawah Table UK. The question was: “How can we enter Paradise?”

Shamshi replied:

“Believe in Allah and do not associate anything with Him, and follow the last Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

But before that, it is the mercy of Allah and the grace of Allah. As our last Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: everyone will enter Paradise by the mercy and grace of Allah. This means those who deserve the mercy of Allah. And the mushrikeen and the kuffar do not deserve the mercy of Allah at all.

The Sahabah (companions of the last Prophet) said to the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, ‘Even you?’ And the Last Prophet Muhammad مصطفى عليه الصلاة والسلام replied, ‘Even me.’”

Allamah Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah al-Dimashqi al-Hanbali رحمه الله mentioned a very important point:

“Entering Paradise is by the mercy of Allah, but deserving the levels of Paradise (Jannah) are according to a person’s actions (righteous deeds).”

This shows both the mercy of Allah and the justice (ʿadl) of Allah.

source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwhywVzDn10 timing 0:40 starts mention by our ustadd Shamshi quoting Imam ibn Qayiyam speech

The scholars explained from the Qur’ān and Sunnah that entry into Paradise is by mercy, but the rank inside Paradise is according to righteous deeds.

Allāh says in the Qur’ān:

“For all there will be degrees according to what they did.”
(Surah al-Anʿām 6:132)

And Allāh also says:

“They will have higher ranks with their Lord, and forgiveness and a noble provision.”
(Surah al-Anfāl 8:4)

And another clear verse:

“Look how We have favored some of them over others, but the Hereafter is greater in ranks and greater in distinction.”
(Surah al-Isrāʾ 17:21) 📖

These verses clearly show that people will not be equal in Jannah. Their ranks will depend on their īmān and righteous deeds.

Example Ḥadīth: Reciting the Qur’ān Raises Your Level in Jannah

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’ān: Recite and rise, and recite as you used to recite in the world, for your level will be at the last verse you recite.”
(Reported in Tirmidhī and graded ṣaḥīḥ)

This ḥadīth is a clear proof that a person’s level in Paradise rises according to his deeds, especially reciting the Qur’ān. The more a person followed the Qur’ān in this life, the higher his level in the Hereafter.

Simple Conclusion

So the correct understanding based on Qur’ān and Sunnah is:

• Entry into Jannah = only by the mercy of Allāh.
• The level inside Jannah = according to righteous deeds.
• The more īmān, Qur’ān, and obedience a person has, the higher his rank in Paradise.

From an Islamic perspective, anxiety and depression are not something that is recommended. We believe that Satan tries to push people toward anxiety and depression in order to misguide them. However, we also recognize that these feelings are part of human nature.

That is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to supplicate^[5]:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and depression.”

So as Muslims, we believe that one of the best ways to remove anxiety and depression is by returning back to your Creator, Allah.

Even though from a worldly perspective people may seem to have everything, life appears easier today. You have your phone, and if you want to order something, you can easily order it. Yet despite all of this, depression is very widespread.

Sometimes people say that the happiest countries in the world are places like Japan and Sweden. But it is strange because suicide rates in countries like Japan and Sweden are very high. So how can they truly be the happiest countries?

What they often mean by happiness is that people have high salaries, comfortable homes, and a good standard of living. But that is not the true meaning of happiness.

The true meaning of happiness is when you understand that you are a servant of your Creator, Allah, and that you have a purpose in this life. This life is a test.

When you understand this, many things become clear. For example, what is anxiety? Anxiety is when a person fears something that may happen in the future. But when you understand that nothing happens in the future except by the permission of Allah, then that fear begins to disappear.

One of Satan’s methods is to scare people about the future. But when you know that the future is in the hands of Allah, that anxiety begins to fade away.

Likewise with depression. Depression often comes from something that happened in the past. So the difference between anxiety and depression is that anxiety is fear of the near future, while depression is sadness about something that happened in the past.

But again, when you believe in your Creator and understand that whatever happened in the past cannot be changed, then you begin to deal with it properly.

That is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that when something happens, do not say: “If I had done this or that.” Because saying this opens the door for Satan to whisper to you and increase your sadness.^[6]

So we believe that Islam provides solutions for these problems. This does not mean depression never exists, but it means there is guidance on how to deal with it.

When you understand that depression comes from dwelling on the past, you remind yourself that even the Prophets of Allah such as Moses, Jesus, Abraham, and Noah went through severe hardships.

When you realize that hardships are part of the test of this life, it helps you deal with them.

Allah created this life as a test, and the solution is to return back to your Creator and not allow Satan to fill your heart with whispers.

One simple example is that some people say that one way to reduce anxiety is to wash your face. In Islam, we already have something called wuḍūʾ (ablution) before prayer.

When you wake up, you wash your face, perform ablution, and then you pray.

But prayer must be done with focus. Some people pray while their mind is still thinking about problems from the past. Instead, when you pray, remind yourself that this life is a test and that you are here to worship Allah in the best way according to your ability.

When you remember this sincerely, the anxiety and sadness begin to decrease.

Another important thing is listening to the Qurʾān. This is something I often advise people to do.

Allah says in the Qurʾān:

“Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – We will surely give them a good life, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.”
(Qurʾān 16:97)

This “good life” mentioned in the verse (ḥayāh ṭayyibah) does not mean a life without hardship. That is impossible in this world.

Allah created this worldly life in such a way that it contains both ease and hardship.

The only place where there is no hardship at all is Paradise.

Allah created this life with both good and evil. He created Paradise as a place of pure good, and He created Hellfire as a place of pure evil.

When a person understands this reality, it helps them deal with anxiety and depression and return back to their Creator.

The Prophets Also Faced Hardship

Even the Prophets faced great trials.

Allah saved Jesus (ʿĪsā), and he was not killed.
Allah saved Moses (Mūsā) and drowned Pharaoh.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also faced many hardships:

His father died before he was born.
His mother died when he was six.
His beloved wife Khadījah died.
His uncle who protected him died.
Some of his children died.
His own relatives opposed him and followed him in the streets, calling him a liar.

Yet he remained patient and continued spreading goodness.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUp85C61j5E timing: 0-5-11
End discussion, further discussion was on another topic.

From Another Angle: Life Is About Fulfilling Desires

Life is all about fulfilling desires, and desires can be good or bad.

A good desire can be fulfilled by a good path or by a wrong path. In the same way, a bad desire can also be fulfilled by a right path or a wrong path.

In Islam, having a good desire is achievable only through a good path.

Bad desires should not be fulfilled through either a good or a bad way in Islam.

Those Muslims who fulfill their good desires using the wrong path are not correct, and it can lead to major shirk or kufr, or something lesser than that, depending on the sins and the approach, because in Islam, not every sin, their ruling and judgement is the same.

With fulfilling desires comes a mixture of evil and good deeds.

Meaning: In this life, we have a mixture of both good and evil. Here, we do not have pure evil or pure good.

But there is a place of pure evil and a place of pure good.

Jannah(paradise) is pure good and enjoyment.
Jahannum(hellfire) is pure evil and torment.

If you want the place of all good which is everlasting, worship Allah alone without associating anything with Him.

If you want the place of all kinds of evil and torment where the skin is burned in fire, just as Allah said in the Qurʾān:

“Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allâh is Ever Most Powerful, All-Wise.”
— Al-Hilali & Khan (Surah An-Nisa)

Remember, in this world we have one skin. If it gets completely burned, no one can regenerate that person’s skin again.

But in Jahannum (Hellfire), Allah will burn the skin as much as He wants.

This follows up on the question of evil.

The Question of Evil

Those who are atheist, agnostic, or from ahlul-hawā (people of desires) often say:

“If God is just, merciful, and exists in reality, then why is there evil?”

As I explained above, the question and argument are incorrect in the first place.

Allah never said that He created this creation without evil. Rather, He created it with a mixture of evil and good.

Allah said in the Qurʾān:

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي كَبَدٍ

“We have certainly created man into hardship.”
— Saheeh International

“Verily, We have created man in toil.”
— Al-Hilali & Khan

Brief Tafsīr

(Verily, We have created man in Kabad.)

Ibn Abi Najih and Jurayj reported from ʿAta, from Ibn ʿAbbas concerning the phrase in Kabad:
“He was created while in hardship.”

Mujahid said:

فِى كَبَدٍ
(in Kabad) meaning: a drop of sperm, then a clot, then a lump of flesh, enduring in his creation.

He also said this is similar to Allah’s statement:

حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهاً وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهاً
“His mother bears him with hardship and brings him forth with hardship.” (46:15)

Saʿid bin Jubayr said:

“In hardship and seeking livelihood.”

ʿIkrimah said:

“In hardship and long-suffering.”

Qatadah said:

“In difficulty.”

Al-Hasan said:

“Enduring the hardships of the world in life and the severity of the Hereafter.”

Even Without God, Evil Cannot Be Removed

From a realistic worldly point of view that everyone who is sane can grasp:

For the sake of argument, let us remove God from the atheist, agnostic, or people-of-desire worldview.

Even then, you cannot remove both evil and good from this world.

For example, if any atheist or agnostic believes they have the capability to turn this worldly life into pure good, then they should do it.

But we all know they cannot.

Because Allah did not create this life as pure good.

The fact that we desire peace and tranquillity all the time proves that Paradise is real, which Allah promised for the believers.

And the fact that we instinctively demand justice for criminals shows that there is a place of punishment called Jahannum, which Allah prepared for the criminals (mujrimūn).

Another example:

Bombs are made using science and used to kill people.
Guns and weapons are designed to kill humans and animals using scientific principles.
Drugs and alcohol are produced using chemistry.

Even if someone removes God from their worldview, they still cannot remove evil.

This shows that for atheists or people of desires, their science or their desires become their god, even if they do not openly say it.

As Allah said in the Qurʾān:

“Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?”
— Saheeh International

“Have you (O Muhammad ﷺ) seen him who has taken as his ilâh (god) his own vain desire? Would you then be a Wakîl over him?”
— Al-Hilali & Khan
(Qurʾān 25:43)

Another Objection: “No One Came Back From Heaven or Hell”

People of desires, atheists, or agnostics often say that no one comes back from Heaven or Hell to tell us that it is true.

The answer to this doubt is simple.

First, it does not have to be that way.

Second, this worldly life is a place of choice and decision making before you die.

For example, suppose you want to travel to a country. What would you do first?

Of course, you investigate where you are going. You check what currency they use, whether it is a safe country, and what is allowed or not.

For example, if you want to visit Syria, would you say: “Once I reach there, I will come to know”?

Of course not.

There might be a civil war going on, and you may die.

So what do you do first while you are still where you are?

You investigate whether the country is safe, what currency they use, and how to reach there.

You do not say: “Let me reach there first, then I will come to know.”

Because you may die.

Therefore, the conclusion is clear:

This worldly life is a place of choice and decision making before death.

Allah does not guide those who are insincere.

Watch the conversation below between our Teacher Shamshi and Non-Muslims

Shamsi & Visitor Discussing the Existence of God | Speakers Corner (par-1)

Proving Islam Is True Through The Quran | Shamsi at Speakers Corner(part-2)

American Visitor Returns to Accept Islam! | Shamsi at Speaker's Corner At the end, he accepted Islam, alhamdollilah (part-3)

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3e53kmOK9gc (2 Types of People that Hate Islam? | Shamsi #shorts)

---

Just as we have hardships and evil in our life at the same time we have desires that we want to fulfill.

This follows the second equation

Life = Desires

In Islam:

“From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws.”
— Saheeh International

“From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws.”
— Al-Hilali & Khan
(Qurʾān 114:4)

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The (Hell) Fire is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passions, while Paradise is surrounded by disliked undesirable things.”
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 8, Hadith No. 494)

Inordinate desires and animalistic passions lead to the Fire, while self-control, perseverance, chastity, and obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ lead to Paradise.

What leads to Hell is easy to do, while what leads to Paradise is difficult to do.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, He sent Gabriel to Paradise saying: Behold it and what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel came and looked at it and what Allah had prepared therein for its people, then he returned to Allah and he said: By Your might, no one will hear of it but that he will enter it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by adversity and He said: Return to it and behold what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel returned and found that it was surrounded by hardship, then he returned to Allah and he said: By Your might, I fear that no one will enter it. Allah said: Go to the Hellfire and behold it and what I have prepared therein for its people. Gabriel found that it was in layers, one above another, then he returned to Allah and he said: By Your might, no one who hears of it will enter it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by desires and He said: Return to it. Gabriel returned and he said: By Your might, I fear that no one will escape it.”

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2560 Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Imam Al-Tirmidhi and Hasan(good) by Darrusalam.

Various types of desires

Humans have endless desires, but these desires are temporary and will die, which is our third equation.

Desires = Death

Our last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures,’ meaning death.”

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم:
“أَكْثِرُوا ذِكْرَ هَاذِمِ اللَّذَّاتِ”
يَعْنِي الْمَوْتَ.

Sunan Ibn Majah 4258 - Hasan(Good) hadith

In short:

Death is the destruction of desires.

---

11. The Rights And Rulings Regarding Intersex Individuals in Islam - Shaykh Abu Khadeejah

source: The Rights And Rulings Regarding Intersex People In Islam - Shaykh Abu Khadeejah - YouTube

What are the Signs and Rulings Concerning Hermaphrodites(Intersex) People?

They came up with the "hermaphrodite," or what they refer to today as "intersex," because the transgender community is very clever in its marketing. They will say, "You say that there are only two genders and two sexes." I(abuKhadeejah) don't distinguish between the two; if you're a male, you're a male, and if you're a female, you're a female—call it gender, call it sex.

They say gender is a social construct. You are born with certain genitals—what we would refer to as a boy and a girl, or male and female—and they say that is their "sex at birth." They claim gender is not defined by your genitalia; gender is defined by society. Therefore, since it is a societal construct, they say you can decide what you are as you get older.

In schools, they'll ask, "What do you think you are?" A five-year-old girl might say, "I like when my dad mows the lawn, I like when he plays football, and I like my dad when he does this; I think I want to be like that." They respond, "Well, you can be a boy, Sharon." Sharon is now, at the age of five, a boy. Why? Because she is looking at her dad. They think that just because you incline toward the good—and which girl doesn't love her dad? Which boy doesn't say, "I like cooking with mum and we bake cakes"? They say, "Oh, do you, Darren? So, do you like being a girl? You really love mum and you really like your sisters? Well, you can be just like your sisters. Do you like the color pink? Done."

Underline it: hormone treatment at the age of nine and ten. Hormone blockers. As soon as they are approaching puberty, they block the estrogen and introduce testosterone so she won't have any breasts. All those normal functionalities, which they refer to as secondary sexual characteristics, don't kick in. And it’s irreversible. They claim it is always reversible, but how do you reverse something that is hormonal inside your body? You're damaged for life.

We don't allow them to hijack that which is an exception to the rule. The exception to the rule—I can't remember the exact numbers, but I think it's something like one in ten thousand or one in twenty thousand—involves individuals who are born with genital issues, basically undefined genitalia. One in ten thousand might even be more than that, which is minutely small compared to the general population.

Just like when you see a child born with a deformity, a disability, or Down syndrome, these are exceptions to the rule. A child is normally born healthy. When a child is born disabled, we don’t say, "Oh, that’s normal." We say that child was born blind, or he can't hear, or he was born with some sort of deformity or mental disability. That is what we say when a child is born with deformed genitalia, or genitalia that is absent, or genitalia that is not defined as male or female. This is what is referred to as a hermaphrodite or "intersex."

"Intersex" is a new term, but in a sense, it is a hermaphrodite. These individuals were present throughout history; they are mentioned in Hadith as those whose male and female parts are not defined. Maybe they have both; one is lesser than the other, or one overpowers the other in terms of its inclination, meaning one part of its sexuality is more dominant than the other. You see them everywhere—in Pakistan, in Europe, everywhere. Historically, they have always been present; they were present in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and he mentioned them.

So, what is the Islamic ruling upon them?

Number one: how they are treated is based upon what is overwhelming in their sexual characteristics. If they are overwhelmingly male—with male-defined characteristics like build, height, voice, and hair—and the manner in which they speak and their outward characteristics are male, then they are placed alongside the males. This applies even though they may not have male genitalia, or if it is deformed or a cross between male and female.

If there is something of the female genitalia there, it is a test from Allah, just like the blind man, the deaf man, or a baby born with Down syndrome or a mental disability. It is a trial from Allah. You are not going to say that is the norm now. We don't say that is a "transgender" child. Of course, you wouldn't call it transgender, because "transgender" implies transitioning—that is the term. You are transitioning from one sex into another. These people are born like this; they are not transitioning.

They were born like that as a test for them and a test for us as well—that we are grateful to Allah. When a child is born blind, you are grateful to Allah that your child isn't blind; you are thankful to Allah and you make Dua for their family. That’s what we do. When we see a person who is suffering, we are more grateful to Allah for what He has given us. We say, "It doesn't matter what I'm going through, look at those poor people." I am not grateful to Allah enough; I'm complaining about the fact that my salary is low, yet look at that mother who is looking after a disabled child, paralyzed from the neck down since birth.

We have this in our community in Birmingham. There is a brother whose sister, as far as I recall, is blind, deaf, and cannot talk. She has disabilities in her body. What does that make the believer do? We make Dua for them. It is an expiation for the family who cares for that child, and an expiation for that child; Allah will put them in Jannah if they have sabr (patience). The reward for the family that lives with that trial and loves that child—perhaps even more than the rest of the children—is great. Allah sends these trials. When I look at that, I think, "What am I complaining about?" That child requires 24-hour attention. The child is now 28 or 29 years old; someone has to clean her when she soils herself because she can't visit the bathroom. Mothers and fathers have to do that. I am ungrateful.

If the intersex person or hermaphrodite is overwhelming in their height and characteristics as feminine—the body is feminine, the voice is feminine, and maybe the bosoms are present like normal women—but sexually or genitalia-wise there is no normal female genitalia (maybe it is even male), they are considered to be a woman. They stay on the women’s side in the Masjid and dress like a woman because that is what is overwhelming.

Islam has the answer. What has transgenderism got to do with that? What is this artificiality? A man who is fully functioning, with male physiology, male genitalia, and both primary and secondary male characteristics—now he wants to transition? There have always been hermaphrodites; they were born like that. Don't compare yourself to them. This is how Islam deals with this affair of Allah. End of Speech.

Summarized - Signs and Rulings Concerning Hermaphrodites (Intersex Individuals) by Shaykh AbuKhadeejah rahimahullah.

Understanding Hermaphrodites / Intersex

• Hermaphrodites, referred to today as intersex, are individuals born with genitalia or sexual characteristics that are not clearly male or female.
• They are born this way, unlike transgender individuals who transition from one sex to another later in life.
• Intersex people have been present throughout history, including during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and are mentioned in Islamic texts.
• This condition is rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 10,000–20,000 births.

Islamic Rulings on Gender Determination

• In Islam, an intersex individual’s treatment is based on the predominantly physical characteristics:

• Predominantly male traits: tall stature, deeper voice, muscular build, masculine behavior, etc. → treated as male.
• Predominantly female traits: feminine voice, body shape, breasts, demeanor → treated as female.

This determination is independent of genital ambiguity. Even if genitalia are mixed or unclear, the overwhelming physical and behavioral traits guide their gender assignment.

Perspective on Transgenderism vs. Intersex

• Intersex: a congenital condition, not a choice, and not related to transitioning.
• Transgender: voluntary transition from one sex to another, often influenced by psychological, social, or cultural factors.
• Intersex individuals are a test from Allah, similar to children born with disabilities, such as blindness, Down syndrome, or paralysis.
• They deserve care, respect, and dignity, and society should treat them as normal human beings, offering support to families who care for them.

Key Points

1. Gender is assigned according to predominantly visible and functional traits, not solely genitalia.
2. Intersex individuals are not transgender, as they are born with ambiguous sexual characteristics rather than choosing to transition.
3. Islam provides clear guidance, assigning intersex people to male or female categories for social, legal, and religious purposes.
4. Families caring for intersex or disabled children receive spiritual reward for their patience and care.
5. Transgender transitions in healthy individuals cannot be compared to intersex cases; Islam distinguishes between natural ambiguity and voluntary gender change.

Here’s a concise table summarizing the signs and rulings concerning intersex and transgender individuals according to Islamic guidance:

Condition	Cause	Signs / Traits	Islamic Ruling	Notes / Key Points
Intersex (Hermaphrodite)	Congenital; born with ambiguous genitalia or mixed sexual characteristics	May have both male and female genitalia; secondary sexual traits may lean predominantly male or female	Assigned gender based on predominantly physical traits (height, voice, body shape, behavior); treated as male or female accordingly	Not a choice; a test from Allah; requires care, respect, and dignity; families caring for them receive spiritual reward
Transgender	Voluntary transition due to psychological, social, or personal reasons	Fully male or female at birth; later self-identifies as opposite gender; may undergo hormone therapy or surgery	Changing biological sex is not permitted; altering appearance does not change innate gender	Distinct from intersex; cannot be compared to congenital conditions; Islam prohibits voluntary gender change

This table makes it easy to distinguish intersex from transgender, their causes, signs, and the Islamic rulings.

In brief:

• Intersex (hermaphrodites) are born with mixed or ambiguous genitalia and are assigned a gender based on the predominant traits. They don’t choose it.
• They are a natural exception and must be treated with respect and care.
• Transgenderism is a voluntary change from one gender to another and is distinct from intersex conditions. They choose it based on their personal feelings.

It is important to understand that there is a clear distinction between transgender individuals and intersex (hermaphrodite) individuals. These two matters are completely different and should not be confused.

A transgender person is someone who is born clearly male or female but later chooses to identify as or transition to the opposite gender. In contrast, an intersex person is born with biological characteristics of both male and female sex organs that are not fully formed.

As mentioned by Shaykh AbuIyaad, intersex individuals are:

“People born without fully formed male or female organs, and their behavioural characteristics are rooted in their incompletely distinguished biology.” source: https://abuiyaad.com/a/biological-sexes-invention-of-gender 

There are Islamic rulings concerning such individuals, and harming, mocking, or oppressing them is not permissible.

However, this should not be confused with modern “gender ideology,” which is often presented under labels such as science, progress, inclusion, or equality. Intersex is a natural biological condition present at birth (or sometimes becomes clearer at puberty), whereas transgender identity is presented as a choice based on feelings.

For example, an intersex person may possess predominantly male biological characteristics while outwardly appearing female, or vice versa. In such cases:

• Medical assessment determines which characteristics are dominant
• Islamic rulings follow the dominant biological sex

If an intersex person is determined to be male and later marries a woman, this is not considered a same-gender act, because their dominant gender is male.

Intersex individuals:

• Do not choose their condition
• Are not sinful for it
• Are recognized in Islamic law

Such individuals existed even during the time of Muhammad ﷺ, and Islamic jurists discussed their rulings in detail.

Islam does not recognize a third gender. If a case is ambiguous, scholars recommend waiting until clear biological signs appear.

Being born intersex is a rare biological condition, similar to being born with disabilities such as blindness or deafness. It is considered a test from Allah for:

• The individual
• The family
• Society

How people treat such individuals reflects their justice and compassion.

Unfortunately, due to social stigma, some families hide the condition of intersex children, which can cause emotional harm. Islam, however, commands dignity, fairness, and compassion.

Intersex conditions should never be used to justify transgender ideology or other prohibited actions in Islamic teachings.

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#12. ‘Treatment’ and things to consider

Intersex isn’t a disease, and it can’t be “cured.” So in that sense, there’s no treatment.

It’s possible to have health conditions that need to be addressed that relate to intersex anatomy. For example, if you have a uterus but no uterine opening, you may have painful menstrual cycles in which the blood doesn’t exit your body. In this case, you may want to have surgery to create an opening.

But this isn’t “treating intersex.” This is treating a closed uterus – [https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/what-does-intersex-look-like#considerations]

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#13. What is Intersex & How Are They Different from the Artificial LGBTQ Community?

Intersex people are those born with incompletely formed or mixed male and female organs, and their behavioral characteristics are rooted in their biological differences, not personal choice.

Islamic law provides specific rulings regarding intersex individuals, and oppressing, mocking, or harming them is strictly forbidden.

However, intersex individuals are entirely different from the “gender ideology” promoted in some Western contexts, which is a constructed framework aiming to:

• Indoctrinate society
• Encourage sexual perversion
• Undermine family structures
• Reshape society’s norms
• Confiscate rights or private property

These ideologies are often presented as science, progress, inclusion, or equality, but they differ fundamentally from natural biological conditions.

References from Islamic and Medical Sources:

• Shaykh Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq explains that intersex individuals are born this way, whereas LGBTQ identities involve choice or actions, such as surgery, hormone treatment, or sexual intimacy with the same gender.
  Source: Abu Iyaad – Biological Sexes vs. Gender Ideology
• According to the NHS (National Health Service, UK):
  “We use ‘intersex’ in some content about people with differences in sex development (DSD) because some people prefer it to DSD. DSD involves genes, hormones, and reproductive organs, including genitals. A person’s physical sex development, internally, externally, or both, can be different from most other people’s.”
  Source: NHS – Inclusive Content
• The NHS further explains:
  “Differences in sex development (DSD) is a group of rare conditions involving genes, hormones, and reproductive organs, including genitals. Sometimes the term Disorders of Sex Development is used, as is Variations in Sex Characteristics (VSC) or Diverse Sex Development. Some people prefer to use the term intersex.”
  Source: NHS – Differences in Sex Development

Key Takeaways:

1. Intersex individuals are born with their condition; they do not choose it.
2. LGBTQ identities, by contrast, involve conscious choices or modifications of the body.
3. Islam emphasizes respect, protection, and fairness toward intersex people, unlike the manipulative ideologies of modern gender politics.

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#14. What Are Effeminate Men and Women?

An effeminate man is a male who may appear outwardly feminine but has sexual attraction toward women. This is why, when the Prophet ﷺ heard the inappropriate and lustful description of a woman from such a person while he was in the gathering of women, he ordered that such individuals should not be allowed to enter the houses of his wives again.

The opposite is an effeminate woman—a female who outwardly appears masculine and has attraction toward men, resembling male behavior in her mannerisms and conduct.

Hadith on Imitation of the Opposite Gender

The Last Prophet ﷺ said:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) cursed effeminate men (those men who imitate the manners of women) and those women who imitate the manners of men, and he said, ‘Turn them out of your houses.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) turned out such-and-such man, and ʿUmar turned out such-and-such woman.”

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5886

Important Clarification

The term al-mukhannathīn (الْمُخَنَّثِينَ) is used in authentic hadith. However, its meaning differs depending on the context:

• In some cases, it refers to a person who is naturally effeminate (not by choice)
• In other cases, it refers to a person who deliberately imitates the opposite gender, which is blameworthy

This distinction was explained by Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) in his commentary on Sahih Muslim (2180), and also clarified in translations such as that of Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan, who added explanatory notes in brackets.

Contemporary Observation

It is also found in some Asian communities that:

• Certain individuals are not born intersex,
• Yet they intentionally imitate intersex (Kinner) people through dress, speech, and behavior
• This may be done to join such groups and earn money through activities like begging, performing at events, or making threats of curses

Conclusion

It is important to clearly understand that:

• Natural conditions (not chosen) are not sinful
• Deliberate imitation of the opposite gender (chosen behavior) is blameworthy

Even though the same word “mukhannath” is used in hadith, the context determines its meaning, as explained by the scholars.

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#15. Intersex (Kinner) People at the Time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The term Mukhannas (مُخَنَّثٌ) appeared in the classical hadith collections of Sahih al-Bukhari by Imam Muhammad Ismail al-Bukhari Rahimahullah and Sahih Muslim by Imam Muslim. These two Sahih/authentic books of Prophet’s traditions are considered the most authentic after the Qur’an.

The same term Mukhannas is also used for people who imitate the opposite gender, such as men imitating women or women imitating men, and they are cursed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Narrated Umm Salama: Once the Prophet ﷺ was in her house, and an effeminate man was there too. The effeminate man said to Abdullah (Umm Salama’s brother), “O Abdullah! If Ta’if should be conquered tomorrow, I recommend you the daughter of Ghailan, for she is so fat that she has four curves in the front (of her belly) and eight at the back.” The Prophet ﷺ said to his wives: “These effeminate (men) should not enter upon you (your houses).” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5887]

Narrated Umm Salama: She reported that she had a eunuch (as a servant) in her house. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ was once in the house when he (the eunuch) said to the brother of Umm Salama:

“Abdullah b. Abi Umayya, if Allah grants you victory in Ta’if on the next day, I will show you the daughter of Ghailan, for she has four folds (upon her body) on the front side of her stomach and eight folds on the back.”

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ heard this and said: “Such people should not visit you.” [Sahih Muslim 2180]

Imam Al-Nawawi said:

“The scholars said effeminate men are of two types. First, one who was created that way and is not responsible for his behavior resembling women—their appearance, speech, or movements. Allah created him with this disposition, so this is not blameworthy for him, nor a fault, nor a sin, and he is not punished. He has the excuse of not being able to control it.

For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ did not condemn him at first when he entered the homes of women, nor his behavior as it was originally his disposition. He condemned his behavior only after deliberate imitation of women became evident. He did not condemn the description of an effeminate man in itself.

Second, an effeminate man whose disposition is not like that. He is responsible for his behavior resembling women—their movements, appearance, and speech, and mimicking their presentation. This is blameworthy, as has come in the authentic traditions, cursing him. As for the first type, he is not cursed.”

[Sharḥ al-Nawawī ‘alá Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2180]

End of Speech – Imam Al-Nawawi

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#16.Intersex (Inborn Condition or Revealed at Puberty) vs. Imitation of the Opposite Gender (Chosen Behavior)

Question: We want to know about those people who are called hijdah(Kinner) in many places in Asian countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, SriLanka. Who are they, and what guidance does Islam give about them?

In Islam, this term(Mukhannath) can refer to two different types of people, and it is very important to understand the difference between them because the rulings for each are different.

1. A person who is like this by birth (Intersex)

This refers to a person who is born with unclear or mixed physical characteristics (neither clearly male nor female).

There is a narration from Umm Salama (رضي الله عنها) that a person like this used to come into their house. At first, he was allowed because he was not seen as a typical man. But later, when it became clear that he had interest in women, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told that he should not enter their homes anymore.

This shows that:

• If a person is naturally inclined toward men, they are treated like a woman.
• If they are inclined toward women, they are treated like a man.
• If it is not clear, then their case should be carefully examined.
• There is no sin on them because they are born like this

Relevant Hadiths on Intersex(Hijda/Kinner):

Narrated Um Salama: that once the Prophet (ﷺ) was in her house, and an effeminate man was there too. The effeminate man said to `Abdullah, (Um Salama's brother) "0 `Abdullah! If Ta'if should be conquered tomorrow, I recommend you the daughter of Ghailan, for she is so fat that she has four curves in the front (of her belly) and eight at the back." So the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to his wives) "These effeminate (men) should not enter upon you (your houses). - Sahih al-Bukhari 5887

Umm Salama reported that she had a eunuch (as a slave) in her house. Allah's Messenger imay peace be upon him) was once in the house that he (the eunuch) said to the brother of Umm Salama: Abdullahb. Aba Umayya. if Allah grants you victory in Ta'if on the next day, I will show you the daughter of Ghailan for she has four folds (upon her body) on the front side of her stomach and eight folds on the back. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) heard this and he said: Such (people) should not visit you. - Sahih Muslim 2180

2. A person who imitates the opposite gender

This refers to someone who is not born this way, but intentionally imitates the opposite gender in dress, speech, and behavior.

• Islam strongly discourages this behavior.
• There are narrations where such actions are condemned and cursed by the Last Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
• Similarly, women who imitate men are also warned against and  cursed by the Last Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him .
• Relavent Hadith on imitiating opposite gender: Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) cursed effeminate men (those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners of women) and those women who assume the manners of men, and he said, "Turn them out of your houses ." The Prophet (ﷺ) turned out such-and-such man, and `Umar turned out such-and-such woman. - Sahih al-Bukhari 5886.

Hadith on Effeminate Men and Scholarly Explanation

Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) reported: An effeminate man was present with her while the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in the house. He said to her brother, ʿAbdullah ibn Abi Umayyah,

“O ʿAbdullah ibn Abi Umayyah, if Allah grants you victory over al-Ṭā’if tomorrow, I will show you the daughter of Ghaylan. She has four folds of flesh on her front and eight on her back.”

When the Prophet ﷺ heard this, he said:

“Do not allow such men to enter upon you.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2180
Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic)

Explanation by Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله)

Imam al-Nawawi explained that effeminate men are of two types:

1. Those who are naturally like this (inborn)
   

• A person who is created with feminine traits in behavior, appearance, speech, or movement
• He is not blameworthy, not sinful, and not punished
• This is because Allah created him this way, and he has no control over it

2. For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ did not initially condemn him, nor prevent him from entering the homes of النساء (women), because it was understood to be his natural disposition
   
   However, when it became clear that he had awareness and described women in detail, the Prophet ﷺ set boundaries. The effeminate men revealed his identity that he’s man even though his outward appearance is women.
   
3. Those who deliberately imitate women (chosen behavior)
   

• A person who intentionally adopts feminine behavior, speech, appearance, and mannerisms
• This is blameworthy and sinful
• Such behavior is condemned in authentic narrations, including warnings and curses

4. As for the first type, he is not cursed, because his condition is not by choice
   

Source: Sharḥ al-Nawawi ʿalā Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2180).^[7]

This distinction clearly shows the difference between:

• Natural conditions (not chosen)
• Deliberate imitation (chosen actions)

Important clarification

These two types must not be mixed up:

• One is a natural condition (by birth) → not their fault
• The other is intentional imitation → a matter of choice

Social issues

• In society, such people are often looked down upon and disrespected, which is wrong.
• Some people wrongly think this is a punishment, but Islam teaches fairness and justice.
• Like other physical differences (for example, someone born with as deaf, dump, blind, handicapped), this is also a natural condition and should not be mocked.

Additional reality in society

• In many places, some people adopt this identity mainly to earn money through dancing, singing, or begging.
• This has become common in some regions, especially in public places and events.
• However, this does not mean all such individuals are the same.

Final point

• Islam does not allow earning through inappropriate means like dancing and singing for money.
• But at the same time, people should be treated with respect, fairness, and dignity, especially those who are born this way and have no control over their condition.

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#17. Is Facial Hair Growth on Women’s Faces a Sign of Intersex (Kinner)?

If a woman is not married, or if she is married but cannot conceive a child, it may be considered a possible sign of an intersex (Kinner) condition. However, a proper medical checkup is necessary to determine this accurately.

Because some intersex people only find out about their DSD later on in life, like at puberty or as an adult. It’s even possible to have intersex traits and never know.[soure Healthline article https://www.healthline.com/health/sex-chromosomes#faq]

If a woman is married and has children, then it could be a hormonal imbalance, in which male hormones (androgens) are increased, causing facial hair similar to men. It could also be due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or certain medications. A proper medical checkup is necessary, even if the woman has children.

This condition is called hirsutism. It is often found that some women keep it secret due to shame, social pressure, or feelings of guilt.

According to NHS(National Health Service) official website of the UK: Hirsutism is where women have thick, dark hair on their face, neck, chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks or thighs. [Read nhs article about hirsutism(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hirsutism/)]

Therefore, whether a woman is married or not, or whether she has children or not, a proper medical checkup and examination is necessary, because dark, thick facial hair growing on the women’s cheeks and chin is not normal. In most cases, it is linked to an intersex condition; however, it could also be due to a disease or the effects of certain medications known as Hirsutsim, although this is very, very rare.

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#18. Situations of Intersex People

The situation of intersex people varies greatly depending on factors such as location, cultural attitudes, and legal frameworks.

As for Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, I can say with confidence that:

• Societal attitudes toward sex and gender have traditionally been binary, emphasizing a strict distinction between male and female. Intersex individuals often challenge these norms, which has led to misunderstanding and prejudice.
• Intersex (often referred to as "Kinner" in some regions) is a term used to describe a range of conditions in which an individual’s reproductive or sexual anatomy does not fit typical definitions of male or female. In some cases, a person may have both male and female sex characteristics, or their reproductive organs may be underdeveloped or not function properly.
• They often have distinct and separate communities within society.
• They are commonly seen participating in singing, dancing, and seeking money, especially during weddings and celebrations.
• They are hired to perform dances on stage on various occasions.
• Especially at weddings—both Muslim and non-Muslim—they are often hired for street-style dance performances.
• Many people in society look down upon them and treat them with disrespect.
• While some people mock or tease them, others paradoxically believe that their prayers (duʿāʾ) are more likely to be accepted by Allah.
• There are also individuals who are not intersex but imitate women in dress, behavior, and speech, falsely claiming to be intersex in order to ask for money. This is especially observed in places like trains and buses in parts of India.
• They are known by various names such as Hijda, Kinner, Khawaja Sira, and others depending on the region.
• Very few intersex individuals are seen fully integrated into mainstream society.
• They are often subjected to teasing, harassment, and sometimes physical harm.
• Some societies wrongly consider their condition to be a punishment for their parents or family.
• There is very limited awareness or guidance provided to intersex individuals regarding Islamic rulings and teachings.

• Many intersex individuals face difficulties in accessing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
• Legal recognition of intersex people is still limited or unclear in many Asian countries.
• Due to social stigma, families may hide intersex children or avoid seeking proper medical and psychological support.
• Some intersex individuals are forced into specific social roles or communities due to lack of acceptance elsewhere.
• There is a growing need for awareness, compassion, and accurate religious guidance to ensure their dignity and rights are preserved.

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#19. The Ruling on Circumcising the Hermaphrodite(Intersex) — Shaykh Mūsá Richardson

There is a case mentioned by Imam al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) in which he discusses a very rare situation, though it was more commonly known in earlier times. This refers to a person known as a hermaphrodite (intersex), someone who is born with both male and female private parts.

A question arises regarding such an individual: how should circumcision be handled?

Imam al-Nawawi mentions that the scholars of his school differed on this issue. However, what appears to be the stronger opinion is that it is not permissible to circumcise either organ initially. Instead, the matter should be delayed until the child grows, and one of the two characteristics becomes predominant.

In most cases, even if both organs are present, one side becomes dominant over time:

• If the male characteristics become predominant, the child will grow and be recognized as a male
• If the female characteristics become predominant, the child will be recognized as a female

Some scholars suggested another method of determination:

• They said the gender could be identified based on the organ from which urination occurs

However, a complication arises when:

• Urination occurs from both organs, making it difficult to determine the sex

This is referred to as a true hermaphrodite case, where the sex cannot be clearly identified. In such situations, the scholars said that circumcision should be withheld until one sex becomes clearly predominant.

As mentioned, this is a very rare case. End of speech source, troid.org | Published on youtube link: The Ruling on Circumcising the Hermaphrodite — Shaykh Mūsá Richardson - YouTube

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#20. Ruling on Inheritance for an Intersex Individual

Inheritance rulings for an intersex (Kinner) person depend on which sexual characteristic is predominant:

• Predominant male characteristics: If the intersex individual clearly exhibits dominant male traits, then male inheritance rules apply. If the dominance is unclear, it is necessary to refer to a proper medical checkup and examination with experts in sexology to determine the correct classification.
• Predominant female characteristics: If the intersex individual clearly exhibits dominant female traits, then female inheritance rules apply. If the dominance is unclear, it is necessary to refer to a proper medical checkup and examination with experts in sexology.
• Equal male and female characteristics: If it is not clear which characteristics are predominant, or if the male and female traits are equally expressed, then the judgment should be withheld until one characteristic becomes predominant, based on proper medical assessment.

This ensures that the Islamic rulings on inheritance are applied correctly and justly, in accordance with both Shariah and medical guidance.

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#21. Can Intersex Individuals Pray Congragational Salah in the Mosque with normal Muslims?

• Yes, intersex individuals are allowed to pray in the mosque, just like any other Muslim. They are part of the Muslim community and have the same basic religious obligations, including prayer (ṣalāh).
• If their gender is clearly identifiable (leaning toward male or female), then:

• They should pray in the صف (row) according to that gender
• For example, if they are closer to male, they pray with men; if closer to female, they pray with women
• Sadly, we do not see intersex people praying in the mosque with others in congregation (jamāʿah), even when clearly male or female characteristics are predominant.

• If their condition is unclear (ambiguous):

• I don’t know. Allah knows best. If someone is in need of it, ask a scholar.

Important Note

• A person born as intersex is not sinful for their condition
• However, a person who intentionally imitates the opposite gender falls under a different ruling, and that should not be confused with intersex individuals

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#22. Can an Intersex Individual Become an Imam?

The short answer is: I don’t know. Allah knows best.

It is important to remember that intersex individuals are extremely rare in society. In most cases, we do not need to know or concern ourselves with this issue. Dwelling on such questions unnecessarily can create overload in the mind, heart, and soul, adding stress and discomfort.

Focus instead on seeking beneficial knowledge gradually bit by bit and implementing it according to your ability. While following Islamic rulings, one must prioritize avoiding sins (major sins) and then acting upon righteous deeds to the best of their capability.

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#23. Ruling on Marriage for an Intersex Individual

Meaning of Intersex in Islam

Intersex (Khuntha):
In Islam, the term Khuntha refers to a person who cannot be clearly identified as male or female, or who has both male and female physical traits. The word originally means softness or gentleness.

Effeminate (Mukhannath):
A Mukhannath is a person who behaves like the opposite gender in speech, movements, or appearance.

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Types of Effeminate People

1. Naturally effeminate: Born with this trait, not sinful.
2. Deliberately effeminate: Chooses to imitate the opposite gender. This type is considered blameworthy and cursed according to authentic hadith.

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Types of Intersex Individuals

1. Unambiguous Intersex: Shows clear signs of being male or female. Treated according to apparent gender in inheritance and other Islamic rulings.
2. Ambiguous Intersex: No clear signs of being male or female; may have characteristics of both genders.

Ambiguity Types:

• Has both male and female anatomy in equal measure.
• Does not have a clear anatomy but has a urinary opening.

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Determining Gender in Intersex Individuals

• Before puberty:

• Urinating from a penis → male
• Urinating like a girl → female

• After puberty:

• Male signs: grows a beard, ejaculates, can impregnate, shows courage or fighting ability
• Female signs: develops breasts, menstruates, can give birth

• Sexual orientation: If gender is unclear, attraction can indicate gender:

• Attracted to women → male
• Attracted to men → female

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Ruling on Marriage of Intersex Individuals with Non-Intersex Persons and with Other Intersex Individuals

I don't know the answer. You should ask a scholar if you need it. Otherwise, why should you bother about such types of questions? Most of us do not need this, so busy yourself with beneficial, authentic Islamic knowledge and implement it according to your ability.

One thing is correct, that the whole point of intersex individuals revolves around their reproductive sexual organs. That is why it is impermissible(Haram) for an intersex individual to marry a normal person, and in almost all cases, they can’t conceive a child. Meaning, if an intersex individual is predominantly male, he can’t make a woman pregnant, and if an intersex individual is more towards the female side, then she can’t be pregnant by another man. That’s why marriage with intersex individuals is not common anywhere.

Below, I lay out things on how to ask questions or how to formulate questions to ask people of knowledge, because asking good questions is half of religion (Islam):

As for marrying within themselves by identifying their clear gender, based on which gender they are predominantly attracted to, then this question should be asked to a scholar if you need it. Otherwise, most normal people do not need it. But it may be needed for intersex individuals, because they have desires that need to be fulfilled. So can they marry within the intersex community with someone of the opposite identified gender who is also intersex? This should be asked to a qualified scholar whom they trust in knowledge and deen.

As for those intersex individuals who have developed sexual reproductive systems (these individuals are almost non-existent but can be found), but do not align with their physical outward appearance, meaning one has a developed, working female reproductive system but outwardly appears like a man to everyone, can this type of intersex individual marry a normal person? Well, again, I don't know. If someone is in need of this fatwa (ruling), they should approach qualified people of knowledge whom they trust in knowledge and deen.

There is another very rare case, and this can only be determined through proper medical checkup, where a person has defects and through surgery the person can become fully a man or a woman. In that case, it refers back to expert doctors and specialists to determine whether someone is able to marry normal people or not, and based on that, scholars advise whether marriage should be done or not.

Always remember, sometimes clear signs of being intersex appear only after the person reaches puberty or adulthood. In marriage, especially among Muslims and non-Muslims, particularly in arranged marriages, many deceptions and lies occur in this marital process, so one should be aware and not be heedless. Not only in arranged marriages, but even in love marriages, a lot of deception and lies are found, so be careful.

In Islam, only sexual relationships within marriage are permissible. Other than this, it is haram (impermissible), except in the case of war booty. In Islam, only through Halal means(Wasilah/Asbaab), good things are achievable; otherwise, they are rejected. For example, our last prophet Muhammad sallhoalyhiwaslam said: “there will come a prophet on the day of judgmenet without any follower”.So the all the prophets way was walking upon correct path without stressing on what comes as result.^[8]

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Some People Hide Their Child’s Intersex Condition (At Birth or Puberty)

There are several reasons why some parents hide the intersex condition of their child:

In many societies today, intersex individuals are viewed with hatred and are wrongly considered cursed or abnormal.
People often mock them, make fun of them, and treat them as low in society.

Due to this social pressure, parents feel ashamed and fear losing their honor, status, and respect among relatives and the community.

Because of this:

Some parents hide the reality of their child.
In some cases, they even marry off their intersex child, and later Allah exposes what they were hiding.

Such cases do exist, and people have personally witnessed them.

May Allah protect us from such ظلم (oppression), where people do not respect the honor and dignity of Allah’s creation.

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Serious Issue: Deception and Forced Normalization

It is also found that:

Some parents keep the condition completely secret.
They may even go for medical procedures or surgeries only to make the child appear “normal” for marriage, even though the person is not suitable for marriage, so that society cannot recognize the reality.

This is clearly:

Deception (fraud)
And a form of oppression (zulm) against another human being

Parents must fear Allah before taking such steps, because they may end up destroying someone else’s life through dishonesty.

Summary:

With regards to marriage of intersex individuals with normal people who are not intersex, then it is impermissible without any doubt. However, if their gender is confirmed and they are able to conceive a child, then this question should be referred back to scholars whom the person trusts in knowledge and deen. As for me, I don't know.

With regards to marriage of an intersex individual with another intersex individual, I don't know. Allah knows best. This question should be referred back to scholars whom the person trusts in knowledge and deen.

Allah knows best.

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#24. Myths About Intersex Individuals Who Are Predominantly Male or Female

Intersex individuals, especially those whose male or female characteristics are predominant, are often misunderstood. Several myths circulate about them in society:

• Myth 1: Intersex people are “cursed”.

• Reality: Intersex conditions are natural biological variations and are not a punishment. Islam emphasizes compassion, justice, and fairness, not stigma.

• Myth 2: Intersex people are created only to ask for money or beg.

• Reality: While some may earn through asking or performing due to social exclusion, this is not the purpose of their existence. They are capable of living normal, productive lives like anyone else.

• Myth 3: Intersex individuals cannot follow religious obligations properly.

• Reality: Intersex individuals are fully accountable in Islam for their worship. They can pray, fast, and perform all religious duties. Their condition does not prevent them from practicing Islam.

• Myth 4: Intersex people are always “confused” about their gender.

• Reality: Many intersex individuals have a clear understanding of their identity. Ambiguity exists for some, but it does not define them as “confused” or morally wrong.

• Myth 5: Intersex individuals are the same as people who intentionally imitate the opposite gender.

• Reality: Being intersex is a natural condition by birth. Imitating the opposite gender is a separate issue and has its own rulings in Islam.

• Myth 6: If an intersex individual invokes duʿāʾ against a normal person, Allah will likely accept it.

• Reality: This is incorrect. Anyone—whether poor, rich, normal, or intersex—can pray for harm, but we should fear their duʿāʾ only if we oppress them. If you treat everyone justly, including intersex individuals, there is no reason to fear their prayers. This misunderstanding is common among laypeople, but it is not true that their duʿāʾ will automatically cause harm.

• Myth 7: Intersex people should be excluded from social or religious spaces.

• Reality: Intersex individuals have the same rights to participate in society, including attending mosques, education, and social gatherings, while observing proper modesty.

Key Understanding: Dispelling these myths helps society treat intersex individuals with respect, dignity, and fairness, in line with Islamic teachings.

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#25. Summary of Category-4- Intersex Individual

Core Theme

This category-4 explains intersex individuals in Islam, clearly separating them from LGBTQ categories, and shows how Islam views them as a natural biological condition, not a choice.

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Main Structure & Flow

1. Context (Earlier Categories)

• Previous topics:

• Homosexuality
• Transgender
• Imitating opposite gender

• These are described as unnatural and chosen behaviors.
• Intersex (Category 4) is different:

• It is natural and inborn.

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2. What is Intersex?

• A person born with mixed or unclear male/female sexual characteristics.
• Not something a person chooses.
• Can be visible at birth or appear later (puberty or adulthood).
• It is:

• Rare
• A biological condition
• Not a disease and cannot be “cured”

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3. Islamic View & Rulings

• Islam recognizes only two genders: male and female.
• Intersex individuals are:

• Assigned gender based on dominant physical traits (not just genitalia).

• If unclear:

• Judgment is delayed until clarity appears.

• Important points:

• Not sinful
• Recognized in Islamic law
• A test from Allah

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4. Difference Between Intersex and Transgender

• Intersex:

• Born that way
• Biological condition

• Transgender:

• Considered a choice or transition
• Not comparable to intersex

• Islam clearly distinguishes between natural condition vs voluntary change.

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5. Types and Characteristics

Intersex individuals may have:

• Mixed or incomplete sexual organs
• Unequal development
• Male traits with female organs or vice versa
• Medical examination is often needed to determine reality.

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6. Social Issues & Misunderstanding

• Society often:

• Mocks or stigmatizes intersex people
• Considers them cursed (wrong belief)

• Some families:

• Hide the condition
• Force marriages or surgeries → considered deception and ظلم

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7. Marriage Discussion

• Marriage rulings:

• Complex and case-based
• Depends on confirmed gender and ability
• Should be referred to scholars

• General caution:

• Avoid deception in marriage

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8. Myths vs Reality

Common myths:

• Intersex people are cursed
• They are confused
• They cannot practice religion

Reality:

• They are:

• Natural
• Capable of normal life
• Responsible for religious duties

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9. Ethical Treatment in Islam

• Must be treated with:

• Respect
• Dignity
• Fairness

• Oppression, mockery, or harm is forbidden.

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10. Supporting Islamic Concepts (Footnotes & Sections)

The text also includes supporting themes:

• Patience (Sabr):

• In obedience
• Avoiding sin
• Facing hardship

• Qadar (Divine Decree):

• Allah knows everything
• Humans must act and strive

These reinforce that:

• Intersex condition is part of Allah’s decree
• People are tested through it

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Final Key Message

• Intersex individuals:

• Are born that way
• Are not sinful
• Must be treated with dignity

• Islam:

• Assigns them a gender based on dominant traits
• Does not accept a third gender
• Clearly separates intersex from LGBTQ ideology

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Continue…wait for the article 23. See all the articles of this series here: SunniSalafi.com - direct link series: https://sunnisalafi.com/series/reality-of-lgbtq

Footnotes:

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