FatwaNationalSocial & Contemporary Issues
Kedudukan Mak Nyah Dalam Islam
What is the ruling on sex change surgery, and what is the position on surgery for a person born as an ambiguous khunsa musykil?
Short answer
Changing sex from male to female or the reverse through surgery is forbidden (haram) under Islamic law.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM)
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Kompilasi Pandangan Hukum Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa MKI (JAKIM, terbitan 2016)
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Changing sex from male to female or the reverse through surgery is forbidden (haram) under Islamic law. An exception applies to a khunsa musykil, a person born with both male and female genitals. Surgery is permitted to retain whichever one genital organ truly functions, so that it can be used appropriately.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Pertukaran jantina dari lelaki kepada perempuan atau sebaliknya melalui pembedahan adalah haram dari segi syarak
Read the full fatwa on the National website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM). “Kedudukan Mak Nyah Dalam Islam”, 13 December 1989. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#kedudukan-mak-nyah-dalam-islam. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-sex-change-surgery-in-islam/