No need to circumcise male born without foreskin (Aposthia)
Fatwa No: 353152

Question

I am 27 years old. I was not circumcised when I was a baby. Recently, I went to a doctor for circumcision, but he said that I am naturally circumcised and that there is no need for circumcision surgery. Natural circumcision means that there is no foreskin covering the tip of the penis, and there is no foreskin to be removed. Even when the penis is flaccid, the foreskin does not covers the tip of the penis. When it is erect, it has the look of a circumcised penis. In medical terms, this condition is called Aposthia, which is a rare medical condition. I have searched online for Islamic views, and they say that in a case of Aposthia, one does not need circumcision. For my satisfaction, please tell me, from an Islamic point of view, do I need to undergo a circumcision, or is it fine? Regards.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

You are not required to do anything as long as you were born circumcised.

An-Nawawi said, “If a baby is born without a foreskin (covering the tip of his penis), then the circumcision is neither obligatory nor recommended for him. If there is any foreskin that covers the tip of the penis, then it must be cut. If it was cut but not completely, then the cutting must be completed until the entire foreskin which is usually cut in circumcision is removed.

Some jurists are of the view that it is recommended to pass the razor over the place of circumcision, in the same manner that it is recommended to pass the razor over the head of a bold person in Hajj.

Al-Fawaakih Ad-Dawaani, which is one of the Maaliki books of Fiqh, reads, “There is a difference of opinion about someone who was born circumcised; it was said that it is sufficient for him (he is not required to do anything), and it was also said that the razor should be passed over the place of circumcision in the same manner that it is passed over the head of a bold person when he comes out of the state of Ihraam (ritual state of consecration).

Ibn Rushd held that the preponderant view is to not pass the razor (over the place of circumcision in this case), as seen in At-Taaj wal-Ikleel, Ibn Rushd said, “This is the preponderant view.

Allah knows best.

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