Circumcision

Q: Is it permissible to circumcise a boy before the seventh day after his birth? Some hospitals circumcise babies before the seventh day. A person told me that it is Haram (prohibited) to perform circumcision before the seventh day and Makruh (disliked) after it.

A: All Praise be to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, and Companions. Circumcision is an act of Sunnah. Performing circumcision before the seventh day is neither prohibited nor reprehensible. It is also not prohibited or reprehensible to be performed after the seventh day. The matter is flexible and the baby’s interest should be taken into consideration. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Five acts are of Al-Fitrah (natural disposition): Circumcision, shaving pubic hair, trimming moustaches, clipping nails, and depilating armpit hair. Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.