Al-Istihdad (shaving of the pubic hair): It is the shaving of the pubic hair, [derived from the word 'al-hadid' (iron)]. (39)

And 'intiqaas al-ma' (cleaning with water): It is performing istinja (cleansing after defecation) with it; because water severs the urine and repels it.

Abu Dawud said: It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas similar to the hadith of Aisha, and he said: "Five, all of which are on the head." He mentioned the parting of the hair among them and did not mention letting the beard grow. (40)

Imam Ahmad said: Parting the hair is a sunnah. It was said: O Abu Abd Allah, he [the one who does so] makes himself conspicuous! He replied: The Prophet (peace be upon him) did (41) part his hair, and he commanded the parting of hair.

Section: As for circumcision, it is obligatory upon men, and an honor (makrumah) in the case of women, and it is not obligatory upon them. This is the opinion of many of the people of knowledge. Ahmad said: The man is more severely affected, because if a man is not circumcised, that skin hangs over the glans, and what is there is not cleaned, whereas the case of the woman is less severe.

Abu Abd Allah said: Ibn Abbas used to be strict regarding this matter, and it was narrated from him that there is no Hajj for him and no prayer. Meaning: if he is not circumcised. Al-Hasan grants a concession regarding it, saying: If he embraces Islam, it does not matter if he is not circumcised. He says: People have embraced Islam; the black and the white, none of them were inspected, and they were not circumcised.

The evidence for its obligation is that covering the 'awrah (private parts) is obligatory. If circumcision were not obligatory, (42) it would not be permissible to violate the sanctity of the circumcised person by looking at his 'awrah for its sake. Furthermore, it is one of the symbols (shi'ar) of the Muslims, so it is obligatory, like the rest of their symbols. If an elderly man embraces Islam and fears for himself regarding circumcision, (43) it is dropped from him, because ghusl (full body ablution), wudu (ablution), and other things are dropped if he fears for his life.