It is the most frequent operation on males not only in Islamic countries, but also other parts of the world. The performance of circumcision is one of the rules of cleanliness in Islam. Circumcision means removal of the foreskin of the penis. Mawardi stated that the chosen time is the 7th day after birth, but it can be carried out up to 40 days after birth or thereafter until the age of 7 years, depending upon the health of the infant or child at the time. On the other hand, the results of recent clinical and epidemiological studies are supportive of the practice of circumcision in newborn and infant males.
Infection usually begins in the foreskin which becomes swollen and difficult to retract.
A medium for bacterial growth and further spread of infection is provided by the fecal material trapped between the foreskin and glans of the penis. Such a condition probably leads to other more serious complications. The cause for cancer of the penis is not known, but it is associated with related infections. According to current belief, cancer of the penis occurs less frequently among Muslims and Jews. Whether this is so and is a benefit of circumcision should be investigated in carefully controlled clinical studies.