Re-interpretation of verse 119 of Surah An-Nisa 'on transgenderism with emphasis on Imam Khomeini's thoughts'

Abstract

One of the emerging issues of Islamic jurisprudence is "gender reassignment." In addition to transforming a person's gender, this changes the persons legal status. The purpose of this research, is initially to summarize the history of this issue in Shiite jurisprudence, explaining the view of the Torah, the Bible and the Holy Quran as well as an overview of gender reassignment types. Subsequently to clearly explain the view of Imam Khomeini in its various dimensions, including: the permissibility of gender reassignment, the effect of gender reassignment on marriage, alimony, dowry, custody of children, family titles and inheritance. The research method is to refer to Imam Khomeini's fatwa’s on this topic in his book Tahrir al-Wasilah.  As a research finding, it should be said: According to Imam Khomeini, gender reassignment is permissible, but it will cause the annulment of a previous marriage and changed family titles. Additionally, the share of the transgender person's inheritance will be based on the new gender. The research method is field-study as well as descriptive and analytical. To understand the subject of sex change, transgender, and intersex people, fieldwork was required. In order to understand Imam Khomeini’s point of view descriptive and analytical methods has been applied.