Khitan (circumcision)

الختان

Khitan (circumcision) lexically is the cutting of the foreskin of a male, or of the female's nub; it is also called khafd and i'dhar, and the word names the place of the cut. ¹ The jurists differ in several views on whether circumcision is obligatory or recommended. ² On the ruling there are three views: the Hanafis, Malikis and a Hanbali report hold circumcision a sunna for men and not obligatory, honoured for women; the Shafiis, Hanbalis and Sahnun make it obligatory for both; Ibn Qudama holds it obligatory for men and an honour for women. ^{2 3} For a male, the foreskin is cut until the glans is bare; for a female, only what the name covers, without excess, as the hadith of Umm Atiyya teaches. ^{3 4} Circumcision is best in childhood; the Shafiis prefer the seventh day, others between seven and ten years of age. ⁴ On the dead the schools differ: some do not circumcise him, others do, and one view has three cases. A child born circumcised needs no operation, and any remaining foreskin must be removed. ⁵ The circumciser is liable for death or excess cutting: the Hanafis owe half the blood-money if death follows and the full sum if the child lives, the Malikis exempt a skilled and careful one who makes no mistake, and the Shafiis and Hanbalis draw distinctions about excess, guardianship and skill. ^{5 6} A feast is recommended for circumcision (called i'dhar), and the custom is to show a male's circumcision and to hide a female's. ⁶