Is Reconstructive Surgery Allowed for a Congenital Defect?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I have Poland syndrome, which has caused chest asymmetry due to the absence of the right pectoralis major. This affects my physical appearance and emotional well-being.

Is reconstructive surgery permissible in Islam to correct this congenital condition?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

The general ruling regarding cosmetic surgery is that of impermissibility, for it involves mutilation of one’s body (muthla) and changing the nature created by Allah (taghyir khalq Allah). However, in genuine cases of extreme deformity, like in your case, there is a dispensation of permissibility.

Islamic Fiqh Academy Resolution on Plastic Surgery

One of the most influential bodies of Islamic ethics-legal deliberation is the Organization of Islamic Conferences’ Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC-IFA), which brings together scholars of Islam and medicine for Islamic ethics-legal deliberation around bioethical challenges faced in the Muslim and non-Muslim world. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy discussed the issue of plastic surgery in 2007 and issued the following resolution:

One

It is permissible to perform the necessary plastic surgery, which is intended to:

• Restore the shape of the body organs to the situation in which man was created according to God saying: “We have indeed created man in the best of stature.” [Quran: 95:4],
• Restoring the normal function of the body,
• To repair congenital disabilities such as cleft lip, severe nose deformities, nevus, excess fingers and teeth, and finger adhesion if their presence causes physical or moral harm,
• Repair of acquired defects caused by burns, accidents, diseases, etc., such as skin grafting, complete reconstitution of the breast if removed, or in part if it is large or small, causing a medical problem,
• Removal of “ugliness” causing a person psychological or organ damage.

Two

Cosmetic plastic surgery, which is not considered a medical treatment and is intended to change the appearance of a normal person according to his/her desires and the traditions of others, is not permissible. For example, changing the face shape to appear with a certain appearance or with the intention of deceiving and misleading justice, changing the shape of the nose or eyes, or enlarging or reducing lips or cheeks.

Three

If obesity poses a medical problem and no other method is available, body weight may be reduced by approved scientific means, including surgery (Liposuction), provided there is no damage.

Four

It is not permissible to remove wrinkles by surgery or injection unless it is a medical problem, provided there is no damage.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction, insha’Allah.

Related

• Plastic Surgery Archives – SeekersGuidance
• Plastic Surgery in Daily Practice: Islamic Perspectives 
• Surgery to Correct a Deformity Permissible?
• Plastic Surgeries and their Shari‘a Rulings
• Cosmetic Surgery Archives
• Are Breast Implants Permissible for Aesthetic or Medical Needs? (Video)

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received 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.