Is it permissible for a person intersex at birth, who was determined to be male but has the voice and appearance of a female, not to take male hormones due to their danger to him, and to remain in this current physical state?
It is not obligatory for someone who exhibits both male and female characteristics to use hormones to remove the manifestations of femininity, even if they do not fear harm. It is, however, sunnah for them to do so if they can remove these manifestations through other means, such as herbs. This is because removing the manifestations of femininity falls under the category of seeking medical treatment (تداوي), and seeking medical treatment is not obligatory. The resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Academy stipulated the permissibility of medically treating someone who exhibits characteristics of both sexes to remove the ambiguity regarding their predominant sex, whether through surgery or hormones, on the basis that this is a disease and the treatment aims to cure it, not to alter Allah's creation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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