Fatwa ID: 08220
Answered by: Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek
Question:
Salam,
Would be interested to hear some thoughts on the following question:
A question from someone who works as an admin secretary at a private hospital.
They are asking her to move over to the gender reassignment services at the hospital. This would involve her contacting patients, coordinating their care, booking appointments, listing for surgery, etc. She is wondering if it would be permissible or not to work in this gender services department in this way. Any thoughts?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah has made only two sexes: the male and the female. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, blesses a parent with a child of any gender, and we have to accept the decree of Allah.
Before answering the question, it is important to note that gender reassignment surgery is forbidden in Islam. It is prohibited for one to change their gender. If a person feels the opposite way, they can consult a psychologist or undergo therapy.
In the hadith of Bukhari, it is mentioned:
“Allah’s Messenger cursed those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of women and those women who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of men.”
As for the question, Islam prohibits assisting in sin, whether directly or indirectly. In the Quran, Allah says:
“Help each other in righteousness and piety, and do not help each other in sin and aggression. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is severe in punishment.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:2)
Thus, the role mentioned falls under direct involvement, which will be impermissible, as it facilitates the process of something that is forbidden in Shari’ah.
Therefore, we would advise that one seek exemption from such work, and if possible, avoid moving to that department. Alternatively, one should seek an alternative job.
Hope this answers the question.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
Surah Qiyamah Ayah 37-39
اَلَمۡ يَكُ نُطۡفَةً مِّنۡ مَّنِىٍّ يُّمۡنٰىۙ
ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقَ فَسَوّٰىۙ
فَجَعَلَ مِنۡهُ الزَّوۡجَيۡنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالۡاُنۡثٰىؕ
Surah Nisa Ayah 119
وَّلَاُضِلَّـنَّهُمۡ وَلَاُمَنِّيَنَّهُمۡ وَلَاٰمُرَنَّهُمۡ فَلَيُبَـتِّكُنَّ اٰذَانَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ وَلَاٰمُرَنَّهُمۡ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلۡقَ اللّٰهِؕ وَمَنۡ يَّتَّخِذِ الشَّيۡطٰنَ وَلِيًّا مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ فَقَدۡ خَسِرَ خُسۡرَانًا مُّبِيۡنًا
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمُتَشَبِّهِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ بِالنِّسَاءِ، وَالْمُتَشَبِّهَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ بِالرِّجَالِ.
Sahih Bukhari hadith 5885
فِي الزِّيِّ وَاللِّبَاسِ وَالْخِضَابِ وَالصَّوْتِ وَالصُّورَةِ وَالتَّكَلُّمِ وَسَائِرِ الْحَرَكَاتِ وَالسَّكَنَاتِ مِنْ خَنِثَ يَخْنَثُ كَعَلِمَ يَعْلَمُ إِذَا لَانَ وَتَكَسَّرَ، فَهَذَا الْفِعْلُ مَنْهِيٌّ لِأَنَّهُ تَغْيِيرٌ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ
مرقاة المفاتيح ج٧ ص٢٨١٨
