Circumcision
Why should Muslim male babies be circumcised?
From where did this practice originate?
Is it an obligation?
It seems so cruel.
To believe that a child needs to be circumcised implies that God made a mistake, which I do not accept.
What benefit is there in it?
The practice of circumcision originated when Allah made a covenant with Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham), promising him that he would be father to many nations and that he (and among his progeny) would be mighty leaders. The sign of that covenant would be that every newborn male among his followers would be circumcised. Circumcision therefore implies a continuity of our bond with Prophet Ibraheem, as we are part of the millat (community of Faith) of Ibraheem and the Prophet Muhammad was the culmination of the mighty leadership that emanated from the progeny of Prophet Ibraheem.
Male circumcision or khitaan is a symbol of being Muslim, is considered among the rites of Islam and as one of the characteristics of fitrah (natural dispositions). In a tradition documented by Bukhari the Prophet is reported to have said; "Among the characteristics of fitrah are the following five practices: circumcision, removing pubic hair, trimming the moustache, clipping the fingernails and cleaning the armpits." Circumcision therefore is a sunnah ( a practice encouraged and performed by the Prophet) not an obligation and one's status as a Believer is not affected by it. It must be performed by a qualified and experienced person, entails only the cutting off of the foreskin covering the glans of the penis and should only be performed if there is no danger to the health or safety of the circumcised. There is no cruelty intended and whether we circumcise the child, or for that matter shave its hair, does not in any way indicate any mistake on the part of the Creator.
The benefits of circumcision include hygiene in terms of urination, sexual relations and the preventing of infections. In his research work on "Circumcision" Dr M.A.al-Baar, member of the Royal College of Surgeons in the UK states that "circumcision of newborn boys brings numerous health benefits." Included among the benefits are:
- Protection against local infection in the penis which may lead to retention or urine or infection of the glans
- Studies showed that 95% of children who suffered from infection of the urethra were uncircumcised.
In keeping with the tradition of subscribing to the course of fitrah or natural disposition, the health and medical benefits mentioned further validate the need for such a practice. Since Islamic laws are intended to serve as a high standard of physical, mental and spiritual well being, such scientific information endorses the practicality and utility of circumcision, even in the 21st century.
I believe that there lies a latent wisdom behind every religious command or rite and
circumcision certainly is one such rite. Allah always knows best.