Answer: There is a third gender apart from men and women. Books of Islamic Jurisprudence state: Someone who has both male and female genital organs is a ‘Khunšā’. (Muḥīṭ Burĥānī, vol. 23, pp. 454)

Some Islamic jurists رَحِمَـهُـمُ الـلّٰـهُ الـسَّلَام define a Khunšā as someone who has neither male nor female genitals; in fact just a hole at the front for urinating. (Tabyīn-ul-Ḥaqāiq, vol. 7, pp. 440; Al-Baḥr-ur-Rāiq, vol. 9, pp. 334)

Badāi’-uṣ-Ṣanāi’ stated: If a child has both male and female genital organs and it urinates from the male genital organ, then it is a male. If it urinates from the female organ, then it is a female, the other organ shall be considered extra. If the child urinates from both orifices, then whichever it urinates from first is its original orifice, i.e. if it urinates from the female organ first then it is a woman. If it urinates from both organs at the same time then it is difficult to determine its gender, and such a person is called a ‘Khunšā Mushkil’. However, after puberty, if any male signs appear on it such as a beard then it is a male but if any female features appear on it such as breasts then it is a woman. (Badāi’-uṣ-Ṣanāi’, vol. 6, pp. 418)

After puberty if the child has both male and female features, i.e. a beard and breasts then it is a Khunšā Mushkil.

(Fatāwā Shāmī, vol. 10, pp. 478)

Story about a eunuch’s forgiveness

Eunuchs are usually despised and demeaned in our society, this is wrong. They are also the bondmen of Allah and He عَزَّوَجَلَّ is the One Who created them. Eunuchs must avoid sins that lead to Hell such as dancing, singing etc. They should be content with the Will of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and lead Sunnaĥ-inspiring lives. Here is a story about one lucky eunuch; other eunuchs might envy him and wish for the same.