format_quote Originally Posted by
Baljinder Kaur
oh yeh found it!
Islam
The origin of circumcision in
Islam is a matter of religious and scholarly debate. It is mentioned in some parts of the
Hadith, but not in the
Qur'an.
Fiqh scholars have different opinions about circumcision in
Shariah, depending on which Hadith are accepted and how they are interpreted. According to some it is
recommended (
Sunnah); according to others, it is
obligatory.
[31] Some have quoted the
Hadith to argue that the requirement of circumcision is based on the covenant with
Abraham.
[32]
The timing of Muslim circumcision varies. Turkish,
Balkan, rural Egyptians and Central and South Asian Muslims typically circumcise boys between the ages of six and eleven and traditionally the event may be a joyous occasion and celebrated with sweets and feasting. However, in the middle class it is more usually done in infancy and is largely unremarked upon. In Turkey the celebratory feast is called "Sünnet Düğünü" and is considered a very important celebration in man's life as a passage to a manhood.
[33] In
Pakistan, Muslims may be circumcised at all ages from the newborn period to adulthood, though the medical profession has encouraged medical circumcisions in the first week after birth to reduce complications: "Circumcision is performed by barbers, medical technicians, quacks and doctors including paediatric surgeon[s] [and as] yet there is no consensus for the best age and method."
[34] In Iran, Dr. Paula Drew states that “circumcision, which formerly celebrated the onset of manhood, has for many years now been more customarily performed at the age of 5 or 6 for children born at home, and at two days old for those born in a medical setting.…By puberty, all Muslim Iranian boys must be circumcised if they are to participate fully in religious activities.”
[35] Kamyar
et al describe it as an "obligatory custom" and note that it is not necessary for the circumciser to be a Muslim.
[36]