*In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful* *Some time back, I had circulated two messages, on this subject. Therein, two matters,*
1. *the number of rakaat in a ritual prayer (salaat),* 2. *sporting a beard by the believer,* *which are associated with Islamic practices, but which do not find any mention in the Qur'aan, were discussed. For a ready reference to the consolidated representation of the two messages, readers may click here<http://www.islam-n-interest.com/quraan.html> .* *Now, in this message, I am dealing with a similar third matter:* *Circumcision of a Male Child* * * *On this topic too we find no mention in the Qur'aan. Is it not necessary then that a male person be circumcised, for him to be a believer and within the purview of the Allah-approved Religion of Islam? * * * *A believer has necessarily to believe in everything that is said in the Qur'aan. Otherwise, he/she is not a believer. And the Qur'aan categorically says, as we have already seen, that there is nothing neglected in the Book [ 6.38]. And we have also seen that other Verses like 12.111, 17.89, 18.54 and 39.27 corroborate this categorical statement.* * * *A believer is therefore left with no option but to reiterate that the circumcision is not absolutely necessary for a believer. If an elderly non-believer wishes to embrace Islam, it is not obligatory that he should get himself circumcised first. It would have been an embarrassing deterrent for his entry into Islam. We can thus see the divine Wisdom in the non-mention of circumcision in the Qur'aan. * * * *The circumcision is, however, a traditionally obligatory practice among the Muslims. This practice is also there among the Jews. We have, on record, that Jesus Christ was circumcised as a member of the Jewish community. But the practice is not followed by the Christians, who claim to be Jesus' followers. And it is now a scientifically established fact that the circumcision is hygienically and medically a better thing to do for any man. More and more men, even among those who aren't Muslims or Jews, are votaries of this practice now. * * * *There was indeed no need for the All-knowing Allah to mention circumcision in the Qur'aan. In His infinite Wisdom, He knew that people would veer round to the practice without much ado or persuation. * * * *Mohammad Shafi*
