Is it necessary for a revert to get circumcised?
A person accepted Islam but he isnt circumcised and he has not had it done for several years. He does admit it is sunnah and very rewarding and did consider getting it done but changed his mind because he read how painful it was for other men. He is convinced he will not be able to handle the pain especially when urinating blood he is sure this will cause him severe pain especially as the operation is done whilst one is awake he is also averse to sharp knives and feels afraid of the cutting and also he feels uneasy about blood and doesn’t want to experience the pain.
1) Is it necessary for a revert to get circumcised and is he sinning if as above he is absolutely convinced he will not be able to handle the pain. Should he not get circumcised how does he do wudu the person is very clean and washes his private part thoroughly including under the foreskin he is extremely careful with protecting from urine and also when doing Ghusl.
2) Is Salah behind a uncircumcised man valid and is it haraam for him to marry
a Muslim woman if he isn’t circumcised? Some claim it is haram for a
uncircumcised man to marry a Muslim woman.
Assalaamu Alaikum,
الجواب و بالله التوفيق
In light of what you have mentioned, it will not be necessary for the person to get circumcised, although he, as a revert is encouraged to do so. He will not be guilty of any sin if he knows that he will not be able to handle the pain.
If he is not circumcised, then he must ensure that he washes his private parts thoroughly, especially under the forskin so that no impurities remain on him. When he does this, then his wudhu/gushl will be valid and he will be in a state of purity and cleanliness.
Salah behind an uncircumcised person is valid and permissible as long as that person cleans himself properly, ensuring that impurities do not remain under the foreskin.
As a Muslim man, it is essential that he marries to a Muslim woman. It is not haraam for him to marry a Muslim woman if he is not circumcised.
While it may not be necessary and essential that this person gets circumcised, he should be encouraged to do it. First of all, it is one which the Prophet (S.A.S) encouraged the Muslims to do, and at his time, he even instructed converts to do it. Hence, it is considered to be a symbol of Islam. Secondly, it is one which has a lot of benefits and is extremely beneficial to a person in his marriage life. As such, though there may be some uneasiness, discomfort and pain in getting circumcised (for an adult) this is only temporary and will only last for a few days. The benefits however, are long lasting for one’s religious life and personal life and should be considered.
And Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Waseem Khan.
1/9/16.