Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
it may sound funny but it's fact.
during Hindu-Muslim riots in India, circumcision is the criterion to establish his identity. since Muslims are circumcised and Hindus aren't, checking out the circumcision makes it easier to identify the victim's religion.
yes, I heard of that too. Mobs would stop a stranger and have him take his pajama down to see if he is 'Muslim' or not.
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
yes, I heard of that too. Mobs would stop a stranger and have him take his pajama down to see if he is 'Muslim' or not.
and the opposite is true as well. Muslims take pants off of the Hindus too. it's so disgusting. you get killed for 1/4" of your skin or the lack of it.
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
When I said MOB, I meant hindus/muslims both. You are right.
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
Please read below (Genesis 17:10-14): … Muslims accept that this covenant is there between Allah and Ibrahim (AS), and due to covenant it is deemed obligatory on male descendants of Ibrahim (AS) to circumcise. According to hadith, Ibrahim (AS) was 80 years old when this covenant was made and he (AS) circumcised himself.
Genesis 17:10-14
New International Version (NIV)
**10 **This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
**11 **You are to undergo circumcision,and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
**12 **For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.
**13 **Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.
**14 **Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Note: Another thing to remember … as far as I know is that … Quran does not mention that Muslims should circumcise neither there is hadith that ask Muslims to circumcise.
But since most Arabs and all Quraish were descendant of Ibrahim (AS) … due to covenant between Allah and their fore-father Ibrahim (AS), they used to circumcise as obligation. Since Islam spread, Muslims also adopted circumcision as not only preferred but recommended practice … as Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi.
One should understand that sunnah is a practice that Prophet (SAW) used to observe. And what could be better Sunnah to follow than what Prophet (SAW) not only used to observe, but Prophet (SAW), his family (AS), and all earlier Muslims who were also descendant of Ibrahim (AS) considered it obligatory to observe?
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
^ I get it. It was a covenant. But any particular reason why it has to be circumcision? Or just will of God?
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
^^^ That is a different question … I did thought that you are asking what you have asked here, but then, your question was not clear, so I went for other answer.:)
Anyhow, let me try to answer what you want to know … from whatt I know and understand.
There are many reasons Allah made things obligatory on humans (sometime only on particular group of people).
I can give you few reasons (that one can call ‘hikmet’ behind obligations).
1: In some obligations there are health benefits or some physical benefits for all.
2: In some obligations there are benefits for most but may have no benefits for others.
3: In some obligations there could be benefits in certain circumstances, but no benefit in most cases.
4: In some obligations there are benefits for some but harm for others.
And so on …
But … one thing is common with all obligations that Allah has put on believers. That is, manifestation of obedience … or Shahadah (giving witness) from actions and/or words that one believes on Allah and his sovereignty.
Now, you can think what could be the factor behind Allah making covenant with Ibrahim (AS) on issue of circumcision. Circumcision has benefits in some cases, but generally consequence is neutral … especially for those who keep themselves clean (what in Islam is additional requirement anyhow).
In my opinion, Ibrahim (AS) was a special creation of Allah, whom Allah considered closer than other of his creations. It is this reason, Allah blessed Ibrahim (AS) and descendant of Ibrahim (AS) till judgment day (and beyond). To distinguish family of Ibrahim (AS) from other human beings, Allah not only sent many Prophets in the family of Ibrahim (AS) but put his family (descendants … seeds) through many trials and turmoil.
Why turmoil? … Because facing worldly turmoil for believers are beneficial after death on judgment day ... as believers facing turmoil in this world can become cause (and reason) of getting forgiveness from Allah on judgement day.
Circumcision in my opinion is way for descendent of Ibrahim (AS) to know (or recognise) that they have special (or different) relationship with Allah.
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
Circumcision (khatna) in Islam is recommended for males and if you want to determine its aim,
they are several for instance, benefits wrt health etc. Let us forget about its benefits for a while, it should be enough for us that it is recommended by Allah and His prophet (pbuh).
Having said that, I have read some disgusting and weird statements here in this thread. Circumcision is not the way to recognize who is a Muslim and who is not.
[QUOTE]
Circumcision in my opinion is way for descendent of Ibrahim (AS) to know (or recognise) that they have special (or different) relationship with Allah.
[/QUOTE]
^ sentence is very strange.
Where do you get this stuff from?
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
Being a Non-Muslim,and having understood the importance of it ,I would say Circumcision is a very good thing. :)
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
so…does that translate into…??? 
Re: What is the aim of circumcision of men in Islam?
^Yes.It has been done. :) ,way back in 1983. :)