Re: Circumcision
Assalam-o-Alaikum to all Gup-Shup guys
It is my first post to this interesting forum. Regarding circumcisionm let it be known that it is not 'FARZ' or 'WAJIB', but it is a practice which was highly recommended and liked by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad, peace be upon him. In this regard it is a *'SUNNAT-E-MOÁKIDA'* meaning thereby, anything about which some *'TAKEED'* is issued or recomended. So anybody who does not get it done will not be put to hell, or punished. But anybody who denounces it as a SUNNAH, will be dealt accordingly by Allah Almighty. Moreover anyone, who believes in the authenticity of this SUNNAH and can manage to get it done but deliberately avoids it, may end up in getting some sort of punishment.
In Urdu and/or Arabic, it is called *'KHATNA'* and the one who is circumcised is called *'MAKHTOON'*. Contrary to the popular belief, apart from Muslims, Jews also practice circumcision. In Judaism, it is obligatory for boys/men to get it done. Christianity on the other hand is not very particular in its recommedation and views are different in various Christian sects. The statement that Hazrat Abrahim (AS) was the first one to get it done at the age of 80 is probably a biblical belief. According to certain Islamic sects and Fiqah, most of the Prophets were born naturally circumcised or were *'MAKHTOON'* by birth like our Holy Prophet.
Now coming on to the medical aspects of circumcision, it is strongly recommended. Let me explain in very simple terms. The loose skin over the male genitals is called 'Prepuce' and the tip of genitals is called 'Glans'. When uncut or uncircumcised, this loose skin overlying the Glans, develops, traps or grows in it, a specific germ or bactera called 'Bacillus Smegmatus' which forms a dirty sticky fluid called 'Smegma'. Interestingly, modern research has postulated a link between the cancer of male genital and this bacteria. Moreover, there is small surgical emergency, in which, this loose skin may become contracted, following infection, forming a tight band on the male genital leading to retention of urine or simply inability to pass urine at all. It is called, 'Constricting Phimosis' and it has to be surgically corected.
So it must be remembered by all that Circumcision is a Sunnah, which should be encouraged both from Religious and Medical point of view. The notion that boys in west are not getting it done, is probably becuase of monitary reasons and not religious or medical. One thing more, the best age is still the one which has been advised by the Holy Prophet Hazrart Muhammad, peace be upon him, and i.e., 7th day, although some medical centres recommend it at an age of 2, 4 or even 6 weeks.
See you again sometime. Khuda Hafiz.
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