Sex and Gender Identifications in the View of Islam and Western Thought

A Comparative Narrative on Gender Dysphoria Debates

Authors

  • Ahmad Akram Mahmad Robbi Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
  • Sayyed Mohamed Muhsin Islamic Sciences Research Center, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA
  • Mohamad Mohiuddin Mahi International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), Doha, QATAR.
  • Mohd Fuad Md. Sawari Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
  • Khairul Fahmi Jamaludin Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol30no3.698

Keywords:

Sex, gender, identification, gender dysphoria, Malaysia

Abstract

Islam maintains a binary view of sex and genders whereby individuals are identified as male or female based on their biological genitalia. Conversely, Western discourse views sex and gender as non-identical, where the former does not merely represent the gender roles he or she represents, igniting a new debate named gender dysphoria. Thus, this study examines Islam's unique approach to addressing gender dysphoria debates, highlighting its divergence in terms of sex and gender identifications. To achieve the research objective, this study employs a qualitative research approach by analysing secondary data, including books, journals, policies and study cases. The findings indicate that Islam has been consistent in proclaiming a definitive standard for sex and gender identifications since the era of revelation. The principles of Islam in this topic are not against the modern practise of medical science disciplines, rather both could potentially be harmonised and integrated.

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

Sex and Gender Identifications in the View of Islam and Western Thought: A Comparative Narrative on Gender Dysphoria Debates. (2025). Journal of Fatwa Management and Research, 30(3), 97-115. https://doi.org/10.33102/jfatwa.vol30no3.698

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