What is the Islamic situation on humans born with both, male and female, sexual organs?

· 8 Rajab 1422 AH1 min readFatwa 3645English

Question

The question text was not published separately; the title stands in for it.

What is the Islamic situation on humans born with both, male and female, sexual organs?

Answer

The jurists have discussed the laws of a hermaphrodite in great detail.

The definition of a hermaphrodite is one who is born with both male and female organs. Before majority, in an instance where urine emerges through the male organ or through the male organ first, then he will be regarded as a man and the laws that apply to man will also be applied to him. If urine is passed through the female organ or through the female organ first, then the hermaphrodite will be considered a female.

After maturity, if the hermaphrodite shares more the appearance and characteristic of a male or female, the hermaphrodite will be considered accordingly.

In a case where distinction is impossible, then the hermaphrodite will neither be considered a male nor female. A hermaphrodite's Salaat should be performed in between the Saffs of males and females.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

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