The Debate on Islām and Transgenderism: An Analytical Discourse on the Silence of Scholars in Nigeria

Résumé

Transsexuality, hyperandrogenism, hermaphrodite and gender identity are emerging contemporary modern science discourse. These are issues which often dominate discussion among scholars in some sections of contemporary Muslim world. Authorities in some of Western world such as; United State of America and some European and Asian countries are grappling with challenges such as; status and gender identity of a transgender while filling form, discrimination and stigmatization against these people or using public toilet to mention but a few. While developed countries are grappling with all these challenges, one wonders what will happen with developing and under-developed countries where Muslims are highly populated? What are the precepts put in place in Islām to address these controversial issues, since one can categorically opine that, the Qur’ān and ḥadīth of the Prophet did not directly talk about these issues. Although the Qur’ān discusses issues such as sodomy, same sex cohabitation, just as the Prophet talked about cross-dressers. Arising from the foregoing, this qualitative research, which is both expository and analytical, examines critically the scientific exposition of transsexuality, hyperandrogenism, and gender identity. The paper explores various Islāmic juristic opinions on transgender, Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and gender identity. This paper recommends an urgent need for intensive awareness creation among Muslim scholars for onward spreading of the message to the Muslim communities. It is thus advocated that these should be done, among other means, through workshops, seminars, conferences and public lectures.

Keywords: transsexuality, hyperandrogenism, khunthā, mukhannathā, Islam