3. Circumcision is a distinguishing mark between Muslims and Christians. Indeed, Muslims used to identify their slain in battle by circumcision. Muslims, the pre-Islamic Arabs, and the Jews practise circumcision, whereas Christians do not. Since it is a distinguishing mark, it is obligatory.

4. It entails removing a part of the body, and removing a part of the body is prohibited. What is prohibited may only be permitted on account of something obligatory.

5. The guardian of an orphan carries it out, and this constitutes an intervention concerning the orphan and his property, since he will generally pay the circumciser a fee from the orphan’s wealth. Had it not been obligatory, it would not be permissible to dispose of the orphan’s property or interfere with his body.

As for women, the strongest view is that it is a sunnah (1).