The Social Rights of the Transgender Community: An Analytical Study in the Light of the Prophetic Sīrah and Islamic Teachings

الملخص

Transgender and intersex persons constitute a socially marginalised segment of society whose recognition, dignity, and fundamental rights remain significant concerns in contemporary social discourse. Islamic teachings, however, establish human dignity as a universal principle and provide a normative framework for the protection of an individual's life, property, honour, and social participation without discrimination. This study examines the social status and fundamental rights of transgender/intersex persons in the light of the Prophetic tradition and classical Islamic scholarship. It particularly explores their recognition within the Prophetic society and analyses Islamic perspectives concerning the protection of life, property, inheritance, dignity, and social inclusion. The study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach, drawing upon the Qur'an, Hadith literature, classical works of Islamic jurisprudence, and Qur'anic exegesis. The analysis demonstrates that transgender/intersex persons were recognised as members of society during the Prophetic period and that their social interaction was regulated according to relevant ethical and legal considerations rather than exclusion based solely on their physical condition. Furthermore, classical Islamic jurisprudence addressed issues such as inheritance and legal protection in considerable detail, indicating recognition of their legal and economic rights. The study also highlights the contrast between these Islamic principles and the social exclusion, discrimination, economic deprivation, and challenges to dignity experienced by transgender persons in contemporary Pakistani society. It concludes that the Prophetic model of human dignity, protection of fundamental rights, and social inclusion can provide an important ethical framework for addressing contemporary attitudes toward transgender/intersex persons and promoting a more inclusive and dignified social environment.