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Islamic Ruling on
Male and Female Circumcision

Introduction

    This is a brief treatise on circumsion as viewed in Islamic sharia.  It was conceived as an answer to an inquiry by a colleague whom God had blessed with daughters and who had heard that clitoridotomy was obligatory.   He asked me what the Islamic ruling was and in response I wrote this treatise, pointing out what I believe to be the true ruling on both male and female circumcision.   Many people misunderstand the ruling in the case of daughters, being prejudiced by the customs of older generations in their countries.  They follow long-established customs and claim they are observing the sunna of the Prophet (pbuh).  They are wrong.  In the case of male circumcision, there is no doubt that the evidence of its legitimacy, as well as its importance and usefulness, is strong, as will be clear in the course of this treatise.
    I have seen papers on the subject by contemporary authors, some of whom overlook some requirements of proper scholarship in their studies.  Some describe as authentic some hadith which are markedly lacking in authenticity, discuss a topic which they have not fully explored, and resort to rhetoric.  This encouraged me to offer my own opinion, praying to God to protect me from error, make the truth clear to me, and bless me with adherence to it.
    God speaks the truth and guides people to the Straight Path.  May He bless our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his kin, and his Companions.

Muhammad Lutfi al-Sabbagh