Issuing Date: 08/06/1988
Mufti: Shiekh Mohamed Sayed Al Tantawi
Issuing Authority: Al-Azhar
Question: What is the opinion of religion on the matter of a student of medicine at the al-Azhar university, who has been subjected to a surgical operation (removing his male organs) in order to turn him into a girl?
Fiqh Rule: Surgeries are permitted for those with ambiguous sex (intersex) and its an obligation in this case, once confirmed by a trusted doctor. It is forbidden for just a desire to change sex from female to male or from male to female (gender identity disorder- transgender).