Gender

Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity.

189092

Is conversing with the opposite gender without a valid reason considered Makruh?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 3 days ago

Chatting with other gender with out a valid reason is Makriuh, and can be sometimes unlawful if it leads to a sinful feelings or wrong thoughts.

Wassalam.

172515

Gender . Adolescence . Sexual . Homosexuality

How can I change my sexual orientation if I have been attracted to the same gender in a feminine way since my adolescence, causing mental and emotional distress, and a lack of attraction towards the opposite gender?

If you sincerely decide to normalize your sexual orientation, you will be able to do that with help of Allah. It depends on you and your firm decisions. There is a narration from Imam Al-Sadiq (AS): Human being will never be weak to ache if what his strong will wants.

'It is good to remember the sexual orientation of all the prophets and Imams and their followers and terrible end of those who followed wrong sexual desires as we read in Quran.

'It might be also useful to consult psychiatrists in some cases.

'You also need to avoid mixing with persons who have wrong sexual orientations.

'Wassalam.

173700

Goat . Aqiqah . Gender

Is the aqiqa sacrifice specifically a male goat for boys and a female goat for girls, or is a male goat used for both genders?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 8 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

If the newborn is male, it is also mustahab for the sheep or goat sacrificed as aqiqah to be male,d if the newborn is female, then the animal be female.

This is recommended.

And Allah knows best

158892

Sports . Gender

There is a sports team that I would like to join, but I have been told that they sometimes train with the opposite gender or play against them in practices. What should I do?

It is not allowed to train with or play against opposite gender as Hijab is obligatory.

Wassalam.

157128

Freedom . Heaven . Gender

Given the freedom in heaven to get whatever we want, would we be able to alter our gender temporarily or permanently?

People of Paradise will be purified from every wrong thinking, wrong desire or wrong temptation. They will never think about doing any wrong. Changing gender will never be wished by any one in Paradise. Allah said in Quran about people of Paradise ( And We removed away from their chests every bed feeling) A-A'raaf, 43.

'Changing gender is mentioned in Quran as one of the Satanic aims.( Verily, I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them false desires, and will order them to slit the ears of the cattle and will order them to change the nature created by Allah). (Sura An-Nisar', 119).

Wassalam.

151886

Transgender . Gender . Plastic Surgery . Salah (Prayers) . Hijab

As a transgender individual born as a male and who has undergone sexual reassignment surgery, should I wear covering garments outside and during prayers in accordance with my Shia Muslim faith? Or do I need to pray according to my original gender?

Transgender’s situations are different. Some of them were born with a female DNA set (XX) but they look like males from outside or born with a male DNA set (XY) but look like females. Such persons are allowed to “rectify” their gender outer to make it in accordance of their real DNA gender set up. We call such transgender operation as “rectification”.

But if the person is a clear male or female according to his DNA as well as genitalia,then it is not permissible to change their gender., and if they do that for any reason, they will remain considered as their original gender. This is according to most of our leading scholars.

‘Some of scholars say that if the person who was born as a normal male, goes through surgery to cut his genitalia and make himself look like a female, and becomes a real female in the eyes of the society as well as in his body details, then people can deal with such person according to outer features.

‘According to this opinion, if you look like a full female and people look to you as a real female, then you should wear in front of men and during your Prayers like females.
I advise you to refer to the Marje; of Taqleed whom you follow to get his verdict after you explain to him clearly your situation.

Wassalam.

157653

Girl . God (Allah) . Gender

A 10 year old girl has asked as to why we use the masculine form for Allah Almighty. How can this be explained to her?

Bismihi ta'ala

Firstly, I would recommend you watch this presentation, and although it might be bit technical for her, you would be able to hopefully explain it in a way that she understands:

Basically, in Arabic language, pronouns do not always necessarily need to refer to gender, and we most certainly know that Allah ta'ala is above gender, but we must refer to Him with something.

In the English language, he/she in most cases only refers to gender, so the problem could be due to the language as well. Whatever the case may be, we still need to address Almighty God with something, as long as we know and understand that it is not a gender based usage, because Almighty God does not have a body or a gender.

And Allah knows best

148092

Gender . Education . Employment

Is it acceptable to study at a co-educational university or work in a mixed-gender environment?

Pious believer should avoid mixing with other gender without necessity. Protecting self from sinful thought and acts is more important than any other in our life. It is allowed to study or work in a mixed places but with utmost care to protect yourself from any sinful thought or act.

Wassalam.

148994

Gender . Sexual

Is it allowed to appreciate the beauty of someone from the opposite gender without lustful thoughts or intentions?

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, from a shar'i perspective, if no lust or inappropriate comments or gestures are made about someone, you can say "so and so is handsome/beautiful". Is it a good idea, I don't think so. One's physical appearance should not be the point of conversation between people, especially if they are non-mahram and opposite gender.

It could be used against you, or taken out of context, or understood with other intentions.

And Allah knows best

146571

Property . Gender

Can I rent my property to a mixed-gender group in the United States, where it is common for people to share accommodations?

It is allowed to rent your property to couples to live together.

‘If they are not married couples, Muslim should not encourage sinful relationships in any way.

Wassalam.

139228

Husband . Wife . Narrations . Gender . Polygamy . Akhlaq

In what specific matters does a husband need to maintain equality if he has more than one wife? What do the narrations say regarding a person who does not treat his two wives in the same manner?

Husband must maintain practical justice between his wives. Practical justice is in treating them and spending time with each of them equally like he spends time with his other wives. It also requires spending on each of them equally.
Wassalam.

132291

Islam . Gender . Women . Ethics

What does Islam say about gender inequality and gender discrimination of men and women?

There is no question of gender in-equality nor discrimination in Islam if people understand Islamic rules properly. Allah, The Creator Has Created both man and woman and granted both of them the honor (We have honored the children of Adam (Human beings)(Sura 17, Verse 70).

There are common things among both genders like equal human values and honor, equal rights to life , safety, dignity, ownership, education, etc. Yet, there are gender different functions and responsibilities on man and woman, These different functions initiated its own rules to organize life accordingly. Those different rules are less than 5% of the common rules for both genders.

Injustice on any human being being a man or woman is a sinful act.

Both man and woman will get reward for any good act and both will go to the same Paradise, while sinners men and women will face the result of their sins equally.

Wassalam.