Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother,

I would like to know the practice circumcision when come into existance ? I mean in which prophet period ? what is the reason behind it ?

was-salaam

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Answer:

When circumcision started by whom?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.575 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) did his circumcision with an adze (a cutting instrument of the times) at the age of eighty."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.779 Narrated byAbu Huraira

I heard the Prophet (saws) saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 382 Narrated by Abu Ayyub

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘There are four (and according to one narration, five) characteristics (which may be called) the Sunnah of (all) the Messengers of Allah: modesty, circumcision, the use of perfume, miswak and marriage.’

Although the Prophet Mohamed (saws) mentioned Hadrat Ibraheem (a.s.) by name regarding the circumcision, there is no mention of the circumcision performed by the Prophets before Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.). But in light of the above quoted narration by At-Tirmidhi, it is safe to assume that circumcision is amongst the Sunnah of all the Messengers of Allah. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

The mean reason behind it was the guidance and command of Allah Subhanah so that the believers would better maintain their purity, cleanliness and hygiene.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan