Is Limb-Lengthening Surgery Permissible for Marriage Prospects?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I am a sister from Pakistan of marriageable age. Due to my short height, my parents are urging me to undergo limb-lengthening surgery, believing it may help with marriage prospects.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your deeply personal, concerned question.
It will not be permissible to undergo surgery that involves intense pain, a long recovery, and high costs in this case. Although your surgery is not driven by arrogance or show, but rather due to social pressure regarding marriage, it’s understandable. However, the surgery involves intense pain, a long recovery, and high costs, which cannot be ignored.
Don’t Let Society Define Your Worth by Your Height
I understand your situation and your parents’ concern. Don’t let society define your worth by your height. Allah created you exactly how He intended, and that makes you valuable. Height is not a divine requirement for a righteous spouse. Many sisters and brothers marry happily despite not matching societal standards of beauty.
Work on Your Character, Leave the Rest to Allah
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“A woman is married for four reasons: her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion. Thus, give precedence to one with religion.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
Work on your character and religion. This is the real beauty and what will eventually matter. Focusing this way will make you a righteous, loving spouse, as you have left all to Allah and His wisdom and are doing what He has commanded us to do.
Physical beauty and outward appearance should not make one feel inferior or cause one to become overly involved in unnecessary efforts. Allah has distributed His blessings among people, and not every blessing has been given to everyone equally. Only Allah, the Exalted, knows the wisdom behind this distribution.
Therefore, while there is no harm in praying for an increase in outward beauty, it should not lead to ingratitude or a sense of deprivation. Instead, attention should be given to improving one’s character and conduct, which is within a person’s control, and in reality, that holds true value.
We pray to Allah Most High to find you a righteous, handsome, and loving spouse soon, insha’Allah.
Related
- A Guide to Marriage: Seekers’ Guide to Marriage
- Love, Marriage and Relationships in Islam: All Your Questions Answered
- A Guide to Marriage: SeekersGuidance Reader
- Keys to Successful Muslim Marriages: Practical Lessons That Explain the Prophetic Spirit of Marriage
- Marriage in Islam: Practical Guidance for Successful Marriage
- 40 Hadiths on Successful Marriage: Key Teachings of the Prophet on Beautiful, Loving, Caring Married Life
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum and progress through each course step by step.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
