Circumcision in the Ottoman Empire
Circumcision in the Islamic Faith
In this passage, the author begins a new chapter by discussing circumcision and its place in the Ottoman Muslim religion. He explains that circumcision was not considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the basic duties required of every Muslim. Instead, he describes it as an important religious tradition that demonstrated a person’s obedience to God and respect for long-established customs.
The author notes that the practice of circumcision is not directly commanded in the Qur’an. Instead, Muslims follow it because it is part of the Sunnah, the traditions and example of the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic scholars have regarded circumcision as an important religious practice for many centuries, even though it is not one of the Five Pillars Customized Tours Balkan.
The Origins of Circumcision
The writer explains that Muslims believed circumcision was practiced among the Arabs long before the time of the Prophet Muhammad. He says that this custom was inherited from the Prophet Ishmael (Ismail), whom Muslims believe was the son of Abraham (Ibrahim). Since Islamic tradition traces the ancestry of many Arab tribes back to Ishmael, the author states that they proudly regarded themselves as Ishmaelites.
This belief reflects an important part of Islamic tradition. Like Judaism, Islam considers Abraham to be one of the greatest prophets and sees circumcision as a sign of faith and obedience that began with his family.
Legends About the Prophet Muhammad
The author also records an unusual story told by some medieval writers. According to this tradition, the Prophet Muhammad was born already circumcised and without a visible navel. He compares this legend with similar stories found in Jewish tradition, where some believed that great prophets such as Moses were born with extraordinary physical signs.
The writer does not present this story as an established fact but rather as a tradition that circulated among some people. Modern Islamic scholars generally regard such stories as legends rather than reliable historical accounts. They are not part of the central beliefs of Islam.
The author also mentions another popular belief found in parts of the Middle East. Some people thought that children born under a full moon could naturally be born circumcised. These children were sometimes called “Sons of the Moon.” Today, historians understand these ideas as examples of traditional folklore rather than scientific or religious teachings.
The Circumcision Ceremony
According to the author, Ottoman boys were usually circumcised after reaching the age of seven. Unlike the Jewish tradition, where circumcision is normally performed on the eighth day after birth, Ottoman Muslims often waited until boys were old enough to understand the importance of the ceremony and celebrate the occasion with family and friends.
The writer explains that the operation was usually performed by a barber or a surgeon, not by an imam or religious leader. This reflected an important feature of Ottoman society. Circumcision was regarded as a religious custom, but the procedure itself was considered a medical task rather than a priestly duty.
The author reminds his readers that Islam has no priesthood like that found in many Christian churches. Imams lead prayers and teach religion, but they are not believed to possess a special spiritual status that separates them from other Muslims. For this reason, there was no requirement for an imam to perform the circumcision.
A Historical Perspective
This passage provides a generally accurate description of circumcision in the Ottoman Empire, although some details are influenced by legends that were popular during the seventeenth century. Modern historians agree that circumcision has long been an important religious and cultural practice among Muslims, following the example of the Prophet Abraham and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. While not one of the Five Pillars of Islam, it has been widely practiced throughout the Islamic world for centuries. The colorful stories about miraculous births and the influence of the moon, however, belong to the folklore of the period rather than to the official teachings of Islam. As with many early travel accounts, this passage combines genuine observation with traditional beliefs and popular legends.