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Circumcision rites among the Malabaris

Circumcision rites has been practiced for ages by many communities in the world. How the practice spread is one of the mysteries of life. Columbus found the 'New World' natives were circumcised, some African tribes practice circumcision, the Australian Aborigines, Muslims and Jews all continue the tradition of male circumcision. Wall paintings from the Egyptian pyramids show that circumcision was practiced many thousands of years ago. Christians at the time of Isa (a.s)  practiced circumcision. However, Christians later rejected the practice, Paul stating that justification by faith alone was sufficient for converts to Christianity.

Circumcision means removal of the foreskin of the penis. The practice however is greatly influenced by cultural and religious traditions. The performance of circumcision is one of the rules of cleanliness in Islam. It is reported by Abu Hurairah that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) mentioned:

"Five are the acts quite akin to fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubes, cutting the nails, plucking the hair under the armpits and clipping (or shaving) the moustache "(Recorded in "Sahih Muslim", "Sahih Bukhari", "Musnad Ahmed" and "Sunnah At-Tirmidhi").

Most Fekah Scholars say that circumcision is obligatory upon the men and this is the opinion of the majority of the scholars). However, the Hanafi and the Maliki schools consider male circumcision as Sunnah Muakkadah - the Stressed Sunnah, not obligatory but is still strongly recommended. This is the most lenient position in Shari'ah, regarding male circumcision. This is based on the Hadith: "Circumcision is Sunnah for men, a noble action for women" (Related by Ahmad & al-Bayhaq). The Shafi'e school says that circumcision is obligatory (Fard) upon the men and the women. While Imam Ahmad( al Hambal) said: "Circumcision is obligatory (Wajib) upon the men and it is only good for the women".

The Muslims call it "Khittan" or "Sunnath'. The Malabaris also call it 'Maarkham'. In the olden days there was elaborate cultural traditions attached to this occasion, akin to marriages. Similar cultural set up was also practiced in the Malay community whoalso call it 'Masuk Jawi'.

Female circumcision is a sensitive issue. This is because regional cultural practices had made way into this practice. In Africa the practice is related to female genital mutilation (infibulation being the severest form) but is a local custom as it is also practiced by those of other religion. Though the Shafie school stresses the need for female circumsicion ,in Kerala it is almost never practiced among the Malabaris because teh majority of the scholar take the practice to be sunat. It is widely practiced among the Malays in Malaysia and Indonesia but in a milder manner as mentioned in hadith. It is currently done by doctors in the private practice in the mildest form as to qualify the name , circumcision.

Modern technology has found its way into circumcision. From the unhygienic and 'painful' way it was conducted in the olden days. the procedure if now fast, clean and efficient.   Nowadays  circumcision is also practiced for medical treatment. It is a treatment for phimosis (inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (constriction of the penis by a tight foreskin). It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infection. Communities where circumcision is practiced at an early age is also found to have a lower risk of penile cancer.

We would like to put forward a series of articles related to this topic. Please be free to contribute your opinion so or share you experiences and sent to webmaster@e-malabari.net

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