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:

Could you please tell me if it is a sin if a baby boy is not circumstised, I ask because my brother is married to a English woman and they have recently had a boy but she wont allow it to get circumstised because she feels he will feel too much pain although we have tried to explain its not so bad, and my brother is beside himself because he getting pressure from parents that if he doesnt get his son circumstised then he wont be allowed into the house please answer as soon as you can thankyou.

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Answer:

Is circumcision obligatory?

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 7.777 Narrated by Abu Huraira

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Five practices are characteristics of the ‘Fitra’ (nature): circumcision, shaving the pubic region, removing the hair under the arms, clipping the nails and cutting the moustaches short."

Your Question: Could you please tell me if it is a sin if a baby boy is not circumstised,

The circumcision as stated by the Messenger of Allah (saws) is a characteristic of ‘fitrah’ or nature, and a Sunnah of not only Prophet Mohamed (saws) but also the Sunnah of the friend of Allah and the father of the Prophets, Prophet Ibraheem (a.s.). Circumcision is a Sunnah or voluntary act, and if for any reason, the parents of the baby do not wish to get their child circumcised, it would not be condemned as a sin.

Medical science has today proved that circumcision is very hygienic, as it helps keep the private organ of the male clean. Most doctors in countries that have advance medical knowledge, highly recommend circumcision for the new born. If the mother of the child is worried about her baby being in pain, she should take expert medical advice from her pediatrician, who would give her the best medical advice that would be the best for the health of her child.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan