The circumcision (khatn or khitan, or in many Islamic countries simply sunna) of a male child is an obligation on every Muslim before the child reaches puberty. If the parents fail to have this rite performed, it is the duty of every adult uncircumcised Muslim to be circumcised. Those who embrace Islam should also perform this rite if they are not ready circumcision is not mentioned in the Qur’an, but it is much emphasized in the Traditions, and the consensus of the ulema is that it is obligatory on all Muslims.

Circumcision should preferably be performed when the baby is only a few days old, or otherwise at any time before his puberty. In many countries it is normally carried out between the ages of three and seven, but it is recommended to perform this rite on the seventh day after the birth of the child. Facilities for circumcision are normally provided at hospitals.

In this rite also it is recommended to invite guests and family friends and arrange food for the poor. It is also recommended to recite the following prayer at the time of the circumcision:

Allahumma hadhihi sunnatu-ka wa-sunatu nabiy-ka salawatu-ka ‘alay-hi wa-ali-hi-
wa- ’ttaba‘u mithali-ka wa-kutubi-ka li-mashi’ ati-ka wa-iradati-ka wa-qada’I-ka
l-amrin aradta-hu wa-qada’in hatamta-huwa-hukmin anfadhta-hu fa-’rja‘‘ an-hu hurra l-hadidi fi khitani-hi wa-hajamati-hi l-amrin, anta a‘rafu bi-hi min-ni. Allahumma
fa-tahhir -hu mina dh-dhunubi wa-zid-ni‘umri-hi wa-’dfi ‘l-afat ‘an badani-hi wa-l-aqja‘a ‘an jisim-hi wa-zid-hu fi l-ghina wa-’dfa‘‘ an-hu
l-faqra fa-inna-ka ta‘lamu wa-la na ‘lam.

O God, this is Your practice and the practice of Your Prophet, Your blessings be upon him and his family; obeying Your ideal and Your Books is the result of Your volition, and Your will and judgement you decreed, a rule You executed. So take away from him the pain of the knife in his circumcision and his scarification through a command – You are more knowing of it than I, O God. And cleanse him of sins, prolong his life for me, drive away injury and pain from his body, increase him in wealth, and fend off poverty from him; for You know and we do not.