Ruling on Taking Payment for Performing Circumcision

Author: Saudi Fatwa Committee (Lajnah Al-Da'imah)

Permissibility of Accepting Payment for Circumcision​

1. Private Services:
   If circumcision (khitan) is performed in a private clinic or similar setup, there is no harm in accepting payment for the service. This is a legitimate exchange of services for compensation and is considered permissible in Islam.
2. Government-Funded Services:
   
   • If circumcision is performed in a government hospital or through government-funded programs, the service is typically covered by public funds.
   • In such cases, accepting additional payment for the service is not permissible because it would constitute bribery (rashwah), which is prohibited in Islam.

Spiritual Reward and Intent​

• The spiritual reward for performing circumcision depends on the intention and the purpose behind the act.
• Allah is fully aware of a person’s intentions and the reasons for their actions. The ultimate judgment for spiritual reward lies with Allah.

Key Points​

1. Permissible Payment:
   
   • Payment for circumcision is allowed when provided as a private service.
2. Prohibition of Bribery:
   
   • Accepting payment in a government-funded setup is considered bribery and is therefore prohibited.
3. Intention Matters:
   
   • While payment is permissible in certain circumstances, the true reward lies in the sincerity and purpose of the individual performing the circumcision.

Conclusion​

Taking payment for circumcision is permissible in private practice but not in government-funded settings. The spiritual reward is a matter of intention and sincerity, which only Allah knows best.