Why Do Muslim Males Circumcise?

Answered by Ustadh Shuaib Ally

Question: Salam

I am a convert to islam and recently gave birth to a baby boy, alhamdulilah. The circumcision is due to take place. But what is the Islamic rationale behind this necessary act?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Congratulations on the baby boy! May God protect and bless him and your family.

Scholars tend to list a number of reasons for Muslim male circumcision, some of which are:

-Obedience to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

-Following the tradition of Abraham. Many exegetes understand the ‘certain commandments’ in When Abraham’s Lord tested him with certain commandments, which he fulfilled, He said, ‘I will make you a leader of people’ (2:124) as including circumcision, and thus worthy of being followed. Many verses in the Qur’an order that Abraham be followed. Who but a fool would forsake the religion of Abraham? We have chosen him in this world and he will rank among the righteous in the Hereafter (2:130). Circumcision has thus become a sign that one treads the path of Abraham

-It is as understood as one of the acts of refined character (fitra). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Five are acts of refinement: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, removal of hair from the underarms, clipping the nails and trimming the mustache’ (Bukhari, Muslim).

-Cleanliness, including the difficulty of cleaning what lies beneath the foreskin in preparation for acts of worship, as well as being helpful in preventing the spread of disease and health-related complications

Shuaib Ally