Circumcision is a practice that is widely practiced by some religions and communities but is strictly avoided by others.
The reasons behind practicing – or avoiding circumcision can vary and are usually based on religious rulings or personal preference.
Do Hindus circumcise?
The majority of Hindus do not circumcise since their religion hasn’t made it a mandatory practice. Hindus who do circumcise do so for other reasons including medical and hygiene-related ones.
Read on to find out more about whether or not Hindus circumcise and the reasons that influence their decisions.
Also, find answers to other related questions on the subject. Happy reading!
Which religions practice circumcision?
Circumcision is not a common practice in many cultures and religions and only some of them practice it. In some societies and religious communities, it is considered a rite of passage for boys.
Religions that widely circumcise their male children include Islam, Judaism, the Druze faith, and some Christian communities.
Circumcision is less prevalent in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and other European countries in which Christianity is the dominant religion.
However, it is quite common in Christian communities in African countries such as Ethiopia, Liberia, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Why do some religions circumcise babies?
Religions including Islam, Judaism, and some Christian denominations widely practice circumcision and have many reasons for doing so.
In Judaism, the Hebrew Bible contains plenty of references to the practice. Similarly, in Islam, circumcision is mentioned in some Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) and Sunnah (practices of Prophet Muhammad).
Besides religious compulsions and rulings, there are other reasons why people belonging to certain religions and communities choose to practice circumcision.
These reasons typically include better hygiene, decreased risk of potential penile problems, and reduced risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Moreover, circumcision can also protect against and lower the risk of penile cancer.
Hinduism | Circumcision
So, do Hindus circumcise? People from the Hindu faith don’t practice circumcision. The reason for this is simple: there are no religious rules or regulations in Hinduism that require practicing Hindus to circumcise themselves and their male children. Hindu books and scriptures contain no references to circumcision. Due to this, the vast majority of those who practice Hinduism choose to avoid this practice.
This does not mean that all Hindus don’t practice circumcision. Some Hindus do circumcise but for medical and health-related reasons. Some do it to enjoy better hygiene while others do it to avoid certain diseases and other penile problems.
Other Religions and Circumcision Practices
Like Hinduism, there are no references to circumcision in Buddhist texts and scriptures.
The religion is neutral on the subject of circumcision and has no rules or regulations that encourage or discourage the practice. In this respect, Buddhism is quite similar to Hinduism.
Both religions are silent on the matter, and most of the people practicing these religions choose to avoid circumcision.
However, a small number of Buddhists do practice circumcision albeit for other reasons. As discussed previously, these include medical, health, and hygiene-related reasons.
In a nutshell, it is totally up to a practicing Buddhist to decide whether or not they should circumcise themselves.
Islam is one of the main religions that promote the circumcision of male children at young ages. Muslims throughout the world widely practice circumcision and it is an established practice that is recognized by all Islamic schools of thought.
Some interpretations of Islamic law claim circumcision is mandatory for males and recommended for females.
According to other interpretations, the practice is not mandatory but recommended.
The Holy Quran does not contain any references to circumcision, so the rulings regarding the practice are derived from the sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
The age at which an individual might be circumcised is not fixed in Islam. The age can vary, depending on the practices of different cultures and communities but is mostly carried out during childhood.
Final thoughts
The majority of Hindus all over the world do not practice circumcision, mainly because there are no religious rulings on the subject in Hinduism.
However, some Hindus do practice circumcision for a variety of other reasons that include improved hygiene and reduced risk of penile problems and diseases.