Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family

An Analysis of Sex Reassignment in Imamiyyah Jurisprudence from the Perspective of Birth Control / Population Restriction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
ali farsimadan 1
Mehdi Shamsabadi 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Law and Jurisprudence, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 M.A. Graduate in Jurisprudential Schools, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
Abstract
Recent advancements in medical sciences have rendered sex reassignment a complex and multidimensional issue across various domains. Given the impact of this phenomenon on family structure, fertility rates, and generational continuity, the necessity of its jurisprudential examination becomes increasingly evident. The present study, with an emphasis on population restriction (or birth control), aims to investigate the jurisprudential ruling on sex reassignment at both the individual and social levels. Employing a descriptive-analytical method and drawing upon library-based sources, this research seeks to answer the following question: Considering the role of sex reassignment as a factor in population restriction, what is its ruling from the perspective of Imamiyyah jurisprudence at the individual and social levels? The findings indicate that sex reassignment surgeries and hormonal treatments frequently result in sterilization. This consequence, on the one hand, at the social level, threatens generational continuity and thereby weakens the Islamic system, and on the other hand, at the individual level, entails sterilization—which constitutes the most significant ground for prohibition (ḥurma). Accordingly, sex reassignment is deemed illegitimate from a jurisprudential standpoint in both the individual and social spheres.
Keywords
Sex reassignment
Imamiyyah jurisprudence
Birth control / Population restriction
Childbearing / Procreation
Subjects
A.    Scriptures
The Holy Qur'an.
B.     Other sources
 
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Jurisprudential - legal studies of woman and family
Volume 8, Issue 16 - Serial Number 16
September 2026
Pages 155-198

  • Receive Date 06 September 2025
  • Revise Date 06 December 2025
  • Accept Date 30 January 2026