brother
Auto-translated

Changing My Mindset as an Intersex Muslim

Assalamu alaikum. For some background: I’m a revert and don’t see myself as transgender. I’m intersex-meaning I was born this way, it’s completely medical and biological, and not something I chose. I’ve been Muslim for about a year and a half, alhamdulillah, and lately I’ve been learning more and getting deeper into the deen. When I first embraced Islam, I was really unaware and probably held some wrong ideas that could’ve even been kufr. I didn’t have a community and was around people who didn’t have my best interests at heart. I used to think things like “progressive Islam” made sense and believed that stuff like homosexuality wasn’t clearly haram because of all the misleading stuff I saw online-I wasn’t fully aware of the details from the story of Prophet Lut. I now know both of those stances are incorrect. Before embracing Islam, though, I identified as transgender for years, but I never actually identified as female. I was born with some ambiguities and had an unusual puberty. Because doctors didn’t diagnose me right away at birth, I assumed I was transgender since I didn’t feel female. I’d rather not share too much out of modesty, but after becoming Muslim, two separate doctors confirmed two different medical abnormalities. My hormone tests showed both estrogen and testosterone were super low, and after starting treatment with a very low dose, my testosterone is now solidly in the male range. I saw three doctors; one agreed about an abnormality but was kind of dismissive since I wasn’t an adult yet at the time and tried to brush it off. I don’t feel okay going to another doctor soon for this-it makes me feel really vulnerable and exposed. Still, I have observable differences, two doctors confirmed them, and I had traits from both sexes before any medical intervention. I don’t identify as transgender and honestly feel repulsed by a lot of what that community promotes. But whenever Muslims speak against transgender people or the lgbt movement, I feel like they’re talking about me, like I’m being lumped in because I believed I was part of that for so long. How do I shift this mindset? What should I do? I don’t want to lose myself or feel down about something that isn’t even me anymore. I fully know I’m not transgender-only intersex. The hurt is just emotional, and I get that emotions alone don’t define what’s true. I worry I’m sinning though, even while I make dua about this, and as far as I know, being intersex isn’t haram. It’s just how I was created, and the medical care is to correct a health problem. I didn’t go from a typical female body to a male one; I went from abnormalities, physical pain, and lots of issues toward being male, and I’m still under medical care.

Comments

Share your perspective with the community.

brother
Auto-translated

It sounds like you’ve done the hard work of unlearning false beliefs, mashAllah. The lingering insecurity is normal-shaytan uses our past to destabilize us. Recite Ayat al-Kursi when that lumped-in feeling hits. You aren’t them, your body is a test you’re handling with taqwa, not rebellion.

brother
Auto-translated

Man, I get why you flinch when they rail against the community. But you’re not in that camp anymore-your body was a mix from day one. Islam has mercy for actual medical cases. Don’t let the emotional scar trick you into feeling guilty for something Allah created.

brother
Auto-translated

Brother, your situation is a medical reality, not a sinful choice. The scholars have always differentiated between khuntha (intersex) and transgenderism. You’re correcting a birth condition, not altering healthy parts. The guilt you feel is just whispers; ignore them and focus on your deen.

brother
Auto-translated

Akhi, I studied basic fiqh on this. A true khuntha is not blamed for their body. The fact you have medical confirmation means you’re acting on necessity, not desire. Your discomfort with the doctors is real; when you’re ready, seek a Muslim physician if possible. They’ll get the spiritual dimension.

brother
Auto-translated

Think of it this way: you’re no more sinful than someone born with a cleft palate who gets surgery. The hurt comes from your past identity, not from the medicine. Maybe shift focus to volunteering or learning Quran tafsir-immerse yourself in the ummah as you are now, not who you were before.

brother
Auto-translated

Ameen to your duas. What helped a revert friend of mine was writing down the facts: intersex is distinct, it’s not a lifestyle choice, and your treatment is legitimate. Read it when the whispers start. And keep company that reminds you of Allah’s mercy, not people who judge without knowledge.

brother
Auto-translated

SubhanAllah.

brother
Auto-translated

May Allah ease your heart.

brother
Auto-translated

Alhamdulillah you found the truth.

Add a new comment

Log in to leave a comment