What does Al-khnthā mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-khnthā

Discover the meaning of the term Al-khnthā (خنثى) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-khnthā

Al-khnthā according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

In language: from al-khanath, softness; in religious law: a person having both the organs of men and of women, or having nothing of either.

Al-khnthā according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

On the pattern fa'la of al-khanath, softness and flaccidity; plural khanathi, with fatha of the kha', like hibala, plural of hubla. Hence the mukhannath's name, for the laxness of his limbs and tongue. In religious law: one having the organ of the man and of the woman, or nothing of either.

Al-khnthā according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

In language: on the pattern fa'la, derived from takhanthuth, softness and flaccidity; one says: 'fold the garment along its folds (akhnathihi)', that is, along its creases and pleats. The khuntha was so named because his state slackens from the man's state and surpasses the women's, since he has the man's organ and the woman's; plural: khanathi, with fatha of the kha', like hibala, plural of hubla. 'Umar al-Nasafi said: or he has neither, and voids from the anus or the navel.

It is mentioned in al-Muntaqa that Abu Hanifa and Abu Yusuf said: if there issues

Al-khnthā according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

A person having the organ of the man and of the woman, or nothing of either but an opening resembling neither; from al-khanath, softness (cf. al-Ta'rifat, p. 107).

Al-khnthā according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

From al-khanath, which is softness.