Looking at the baby's private parts at the time of circumcision
Fatwa No: 26322

Question

Is it permissible to disclose the circumcision of a new born to people?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

As long as the child has not reached seven years – whether male or female – it is permissible to look at his private parts at the time of circumcision or at any other time, because his private parts have not yet taken the ruling of the ‘Awrah. But if he has reached the age of puberty, it is not permissible to look at his private parts except for the one who performs the circumcision as well as his assistant if necessary; the Shaafi‘i scholar Al-‘Izz ibn Abd As-Salaam, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "There is nothing wrong with looking at the ‘Awrah so as to establish the rites of Islam like circumcision."

As-Sarkhasi, the Hanafi scholar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "There is nothing wrong with looking at the ‘Awrah for necessity like the case of the male or the female who looks at the private parts so as to perform circumcision."

Allaah Knows best.

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