Sikhism and Circumcision

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Circumcision both for the male and female is strictly not permitted within Sikhism. Also, as a further extension of this same principle, other violations of the body – tattooing, body piercing, body mutilation, etc for the same reason are considered anti-Sikhi. For many peoples of various cultures and religions it was common practice to be subjected to this ritual during the time of the Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708AD. However, the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib is clear on this subject.

This was and is a common practice among Muslims who believe that by performing circumcision, the person becomes a "true" Muslim. The Sikh Gurus have questioned this and highlighted the gender inequality in this fl This is what the holy text of the Sikhs say about this practice:

ਸਕਤਿ ਸਨੇਹ੝ ਕਰਿ ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਕਰੀਝ ਮੈ ਨ ਬਦਉਗਾ ਭਾਈ ॥ ਜਉ ਰੇ ਖ੝ਦਾਇ ਮੋਹਿ ਤ੝ਰਕ੝ ਕਰੈਗਾ ਆਪਨ ਹੀ ਕਟਿ ਜਾਈ ॥੨॥
Sakaṯ sanėhu kar sunaṯ karī­ai mai na baḝ­ugĝ bẖĝ­ī. Ja­o rė kẖuḝĝ­ė mohi ṯurak karaigĝ ĝpan hī kat jĝ­ī. ॥2॥
Because of the love of woman, circumcision is done; I don't believe in it, O Siblings of Destiny.
If God wished me to be a Muslim, it would be cut off by itself. ॥2॥

The Shabad continues:

ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਕੀਝ ਤ੝ਰਕ੝ ਜੇ ਹੋਇਗਾ ਅਉਰਤ ਕਾ ਕਿਆ ਕਰੀਝ ॥ ਅਰਧ ਸਰੀਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਨ ਛੋਡੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹੀ ਰਹੀਝ ॥੩॥
Sunaṯ kī­ė ṯurak jė ho­igĝ a­uraṯ kĝ ki­ĝ karī­ai. Araḝẖ sarīrī nĝr na cẖẖodai ṯĝ ṯė hinḝū hī rahī­ai.॥3॥
If circumcision makes one a Muslim, then what about a woman?
She is the other half of a man's body, and she does not leave him, so [s]he remains a Hindu.॥3॥

Further, the holy text continues to highlight how one requires to make changes in their behaviour to attain any spiritual benefit. Rituals like circumcision or fasting do not have any value in the Lord's Court; one must become modest and improve one's conduct if one wants to be closer to God. The SGGS explains:

ਸਰਮ ਸ੝ੰਨਤਿ ਸੀਲ੝ ਰੋਜਾ ਹੋਹ੝ ਮ੝ਸਲਮਾਣ੝ ॥
Saram sunaṯ sīl rojĝ hohu musalmĝṇ.
Make modesty your circumcision, and good conduct your fast. In this way, you shall be a true Muslim.

It is clear from the above quotes, that the Sikh Gurus were against this practice and considered it unnecessary for Muslims and therefore forbidden for Sikhs. It is regarded as a "blind and empty ritual" from which no benefit can be obtained.