Circumcision

Reposted

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"Assalamualaikum. What is the Zaidi position on Khitan (circumcision) both for male and female? Thanks in advance"

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wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatullahi!

As for the Zaydi position on circumcision, I will quote one of our fiqh encyclpaedia's Al-Bahr az-Zakhkhaar:

Circumcision is considered a religious duty by consensus--both male and female. This is based on his statement, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny: ((There are ten things from the natural disposition (Fitra)...)). It is considered obligatory based on the statement of the Exalted: {Follow the path of Ibrahim} (Q. 16:123) as well as [the Prophet's] statement, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny: ((O Umm Atiya, circumcise)). It is a sunnah based on his statement, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny: ((Among the sunnah actions of the Messengers...)). We use the aforementioned as a proof that it is obligatory in respects to men but not women as long as it does not impede intercourse.

The text goes on to say: "It is recommended to do so seven days after the birth because it is easier and less difficult. It is disliked to do so after three days because it is the actions of the Jews."

And Allah knows best!

IRS

Salaams!

Sorry for the confusion! The root of the confusion is the fact that I translated from a text that includes more than one view as well as the translations used for the Arabic. The term "religious duty" means something established in the Shariah--whether obligatory or encouraged. Where it says "It is considered obligatory..." the text says that this is the view of Imam Yahya (as). Where it says "It is sunnah..." the text says that this is the statement of Abu Hanifa. Finally, it ends by stating the hukm of the author.

Some of our imams say that it is obligatory upon both male and female. However, some take the view that it is only sunnah for females. As far as I know, all of our imams say that it is obligatory for men insomuch that if a man knowingly avoids circumcision without a valid shari' excuse, he is to not be prayed over in his funeral.

As for the circumcision of a woman, the text Sharh al-Azhaar states that it consists of an incision and not the removal of the clitoris. This is because of the harm that it would cause the woman. It even cited a hadith where the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, stated to Umm Atiya: ((Circumcise but do not mangle/mutilate/remove (laa tanhak). This is best for the woman and more beloved to the husband)) or something to that effect.

And Allah knows best!

IRS

Peace. Thank you for you questions!

As for the circumcision, according to the imams of the Prophetic House, circumcision is actually an obligation. I stated the proofs in the previous post and that should be sufficient. However, I'm not sure how far our discourse can go if you don't see the validity of the narrated traditions upon which the ruling is derived. I would like to address some of your preconceived notions regarding circumcision. As for circumcision being a "mutilation of the fitrah of the human body," such statement reflects a bias and prejudice without proof. First of all, mutilation is the removal or severing of a limb or something considered essential. The removal of the foreskin from the penis cannot be considered mutilation in any stretch of the imagination.

Furthermore, to liken circumcision to the acts Allah condemns in the Qur'an would require definitive evidence. That which Allah mentions in Q 4:119 mentions an example of mutilation (cutting the ears of cattle) for which circumcision cannot be compared. Your statement that circumcision is "sunnah of the Bible or the ancient Egyptians instead of the prophet Muhammad (saas)" also reflects your lack of knowledge regarding circumcision. Even if you were to read an encyclopaedic entry on circumcision, you will find that in addition to being the practice of the Hebrews and Egyptians, it was also the practice of the Arabs before Islam. We have no evidence that the Qur'an or Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, discouraged or forbade the practice.

Interestingly enough, the practice is linked to Prophets Ibrahim (as) and Ismail (as). So your allegation that it is a mutilation that should be only performed "out of medical or hygienic necessity" would attribute unnecessary genital mutilation to the Prophets, upon them be peace. Also, your statement in which you state that circumcision is the sunnah of the Bible and ancient Egyptians "instead of the Prophet Muhammad," I would like to ask: How is circumcision contrary to the Prophet's Sunnah? If you reject the narrated traditions in which the Sunnah of the Prophet is exemplified, what is your source of the Prophet's Sunnah? How is it ascertained according to you?

And Allah knows best!

IRS