The Ruling on Circumcision

Question:

What is the standpoint of our mathhab on circumcision for men and women?

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

The Shafi’i School’s relied-upon opinion is that circumcision is obligatory on both men and women. In Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, Imam Nawawi stated,

الختان واجب على الرجال والنساء عندنا

“Circumcision is obligatory on men and women according to us [i.e. the Shafi’is].” (1/300)

According to Abu Hanifa and Malik it is sunnah for both; Imam Rafi’i transmitted this as a wajh from the Shafi’is. Also, there is a third view, that it is obligatory for men and sunnah for women. (Ibid) In Rawdah, Imam Nawawi indicated to all three views,

الختان واجب في حق الرجال والنساء وقيل سنة وقيل واجب في الرجل سنة في المرأة والصحيح المعروف هو الأول

“Circumcision is obligatory for both men and women. It is said that it is sunnah. And it is said that it is obligatory for men and sunnah for women. The relied-upon view is the first.” (10/180)

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

Also see: http://www.shafiifiqh.com/?p=630