Is female circumcision a Pharaonic custom, and what is its evidence in the Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?

Female circumcision is undoubtedly permissible, and among the proofs of its permissibility is the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "If the two circumcised parts meet, then a ritual bath (ghusl) becomes obligatory." He referred to the woman's private part as "circumcised," and it contains a great benefit for the woman, which is moderating her desires and making her more desirable to her husband. Al-Muwaffaq mentioned that circumcision is prescribed for women, and he narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, his saying to the female circumciser: "Cut lightly and do not overdo it, for it is more pleasing to the husband and brighter for the face."

Shaykh al-Islam was asked about female circumcision, and he answered in the affirmative. Her circumcision is to cut the top of the skin that resembles the comb of a rooster. He mentioned that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to the female circumciser: "Cut lightly and do not overdo it, for it is more beautiful for the face and more pleasing to her husband." He clarified that the purpose of female circumcision is to moderate her desires, for if she is uncircumcised, her desires would be strong, and overdoing the circumcision weakens her desires.

No jurist is known to hold the view that female circumcision is impermissible; their difference lies only in whether it is obligatory or not. Circumcision is from the religion of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and the fact that it was a custom of the Pharaohs does not detract from its permissibility. Therefore, it is obligatory to adhere to the purified Sharia.