The Shariah Status and Commandments of Circumcision and Aqeeqah

Authors

  • Dr. Abdul Haq Assistant Professor, SBBU Sheringal, Dir Upper
  • Dr. Atiq Ullah Lecturer Islamic Studies, SBBU Sheringal, Dir Upper

Abstract

Circumcision is a natural practice and a tradition of the Prophets, intended to ensure cleanliness by removing the foreskin covering the male genital organ. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), ???? ??????, circumcised himself at the age of 80. There are different opinions regarding the circumcision of the Prophet Muhammad ? — some say he was born circumcised, while others state it was done on the seventh day after his birth. In Islam, circumcision holds great importance and was also instructed for those accepting Islam. According to Islamic jurists (Fuqaha): Hanafi school: It is a Sunnah Muakkadah (emphasized practice) for males. Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools: It is obligatory (wajib) for males. For females, it is considered either recommended (mustahabb) or an act of honor according to various scholars. The best time for circumcision is the seventh day after birth, as practiced with Hasan??? ???? ???  and Husayn??? ???? ???  (grandsons of the Prophet ?). If someone is naturally born circumcised, some scholars recommend symbolically passing a blade over the area. Aqiqah is a form of gratitude to Allah upon the birth of a child. It involves the sacrifice of two goats for a boy and one for a girl. It is a Sunnah act that brings blessings and serves as a means of protection and intercession for the child. The Prophet ? emphasized its importance, stating that a child is pledged to their Aqiqah, which should be done on the seventh day. If Aqiqah cannot be performed on the seventh day, it can be done on the fourteenth or twenty-first day, and even later according to Shafi'i and Hanbali scholars, as long as it's before puberty. On the seventh day, it is also Sunnah to shave the baby's head (for both genders according to Hanafis, only for boys according to Hanbalis) and give charity in silver equal to the weight of the hair. Fatimah??? ???? ????, the daughter of the Prophet ?, did this for her children Hasan, Husayn, Zainab, and Umm Kulthum ??? ???? ???? .

Inviting others to the circumcision or Aqiqah is a matter of differing opinions. Some scholars permit it, while others discourage it. However, it is Sunnah to make the circumcision of boys public and to keep that of girls private.

Keywords: Circumcision, Aqiqah, Natural Practice, Tradition, Male genital Organ

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Published

2025-06-04

How to Cite

Dr. Abdul Haq, & Dr. Atiq Ullah. (2025). The Shariah Status and Commandments of Circumcision and Aqeeqah. Al-Qirtas, 4(1), 245–251. Retrieved from https://al-qirtas.com/index.php/Al-Qirtas/article/view/397

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