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Are Labiaplasty and the Use of Breast Fillers Permissible?

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Question: Are labiaplasty and the use of breast fillers permissible for solely aesthetic reasons?

Answer: Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah make you and all believing women beautiful in His eyes and in the eyes of their husbands.

In answer to your question, if it is clear to correct an obvious and agreed upon medical concern in your body, then it would be fine. I’d check with other doctors as well to see if they also agree that there is actually a medical concern.

As for mere breast enlargement using fillers, as long as the likelihood of medical harm is not high,  then it would be permissible. See:

Is It Permissible to Get Botox Injections?
Ruling on Cosmetic Surgeries
Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?
Are Breast Implants Permissible?

You should also read:

Advises Against Cosmetic Vaginal Procedures Due to Lack of Safety and Efficacy Data
Complications and management of breast enhancement using hyaluronic acid

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Is It Permissible to Carry Out Surgical Procedures to Make Myself Look Younger?

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Question: Can I dress up for my husband outside of the house? Is it permissible to carry out surgical and/or non-surgical procedures to make myself look younger?

Answer:

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

May Allah make you and all believing women beautiful in His eyes and in the eyes of their husbands.

Beautification is sunna for women, and in the house, you can do whatever you like to be as attractive and beautiful in his eyes. In public, it is forbidden to wear tight or revealing clothes, but you can use Kuhl or elegant clothes even if they are colorful.

As for surgical procedures, that would only be permissible as corrective surgery. Any non-surgical procedures would be halal as long as they do not have any short- or long-term harm.

Covering Properly

It is of the God-consciousness [taqwa] of the wife and her husband to wear a proper hijab outside of the house, or in front of non-immediate relatives [non-mahrams].

Please see:

What Are the Requirements of Hijab?
Am I a ‘Dayyuth’ If I Let My Wife Go out Without Hijab and How Do I Maintain Protective Jealousy (Ghayrah)?

Cosmetic Surgery

Surgical procedures entail changing the way Allah created you, and this is forbidden unless it is done as corrective surgery.

Please see:

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?
Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?Is It Permissible to Get Botox Injections?
Ruling on Cosmetic Surgeries
Are Breast Implants Permissible?

You should also read:
Complications and management of breast enhancement using hyaluronic acid

Keeping up with Barbie

It is, unfortunately, the case that many men think that women are or can become human Barbie dolls. This neurosis is exacerbated by the sex industry and the media in general.

The reality is that women are not walking talking Barbies (and men are not usually as handsome as Ken or as heroic as any Box Office action hero). We live in the real world, with real men and women, who all have pros and cons, both physically, emotionally, and religiously.

It is utterly imperative that we all acknowledge this, and live our marital and sexual lives in a mature and realistic way. If we don’t, we will never be satisfied with ourselves, our spouses, and the blessings that Allah has granted us.

Not doing so and continually looking for what else we imagine exists out there leads to being ungrateful for the blessings that Allah has bestowed us. Allah Most High has said, ‘And were you to count the blessings of Allah, you would not be able to: Indeed, man really is a gross wrong-doer and an inveterate ingrate.’ (Qur’an, 14: 34)

And the opposite — to be content with what one has, and not keep looking at the greener “other side” — is the means to happiness and gratitude. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Look at those who are below you and don’t look at those who are above you, for that way you are less likely to discount what Allah has blessed you with.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

So one should look at the countless blessings one has, and look at the good points in one’s spouse. ‘Live with them in accordance with what is fair and kind: if you dislike them, it may well be that you dislike something in which God has put much good.’ (Qur’an, 4:19)

It is normal as a wife, or husband, to feel at times that one is not quite the woman or man that one’s spouse is looking for. This is unavoidable. We do not live in Paradise, and expecting our lives and relationships to be paradisiacal is not realistic.

Rather we should try our best to be that which we can be — emotionally, physically, and spiritually — and be accepting of our spouses as long as they are trying their best too.

Talking things out, and setting realistic and halal measures to better the relationship is very important. Some things can change naturally, and sometimes we can guess what we need to change, but nothing beats having a proper one to one conversation.

Practical Measures

Tell your husband that you really want to look nicer for him, so that he doesn’t feel that you are turning down his wishes, but at the same time don’t do any surgical procedures (since by default they are forbidden), and don’t do any non-surgical procedures that may affect your health or that of the baby.

Try and act like you are more interested in him physically (even if you are not), and make him feel that you appreciate him being around. He may well just be saying these things because he can’t express his dissatisfaction with other aspects of your life. Try to get to the core of the problem.

Talk to him in a kind and receptive way, while being very frank about the reality of your body, your pregnancy, and your staunch adherence to what is halal. Make it clear that you are on his side, but that you are not willing to do something forbidden or unrealistic to keep him happy.

Be ready for some level of immaturity: if he is as you explained, he may not take any of what say seriously, and still want you to be aesthetically perfect despite the fact that you are human, and on top of that, pregnant. You just have to make sure that you have expressed yourself clearly, and wait for him to absorb the ideas.

Unfortunately, you also have to be ready to have your emotions hurt now and then. There isn’t really any way out of it. Even the wives of the best of creation, the Prophet (upon whom be blessings and peace) sometimes felt that other women were more attractive in his eyes: he did have multiple wives after all.

The pain of jealousy is not always avoidable. But there is a difference between consistent and intentional affronts to your looks and the very occasional sense of not being the apple of his eye. The first has to be weeded out through frank conversations and/or counseling. The second is just part of life. And remember that men get jealous too.

It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘Indeed, Allah has prescribed that women should bear the weight of jealousy and that men should bear the weight of jihad. Whosoever of them [women] is patient, believing in Allah, and seeking reward from Him, will have the reward of a martyr. (Bazzar and Tabarani)

Conclusion

Try your best, be as affable and hopeful as possible, and don’t get too sad. Marriages can change 180 degrees.

There is also a good book to read which is Yasmin Mogahed’s Reclaim your Heart. You cannot, and should not, detach your heart from your husband, but he also shouldn’t be the Kaaba of your existence.

[Ustadh] Farid Dingle

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

Temporary Lip Fillers

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Ustadh Tabraze Azam is asked if having one’s lips filled for beautification is permissible in Islam.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

Are lip fillers permissible in Islam given that they are non surgical and of temporary nature, lasting up to approximately six months? It has become very common now and something that is very easily accessible to the youth so I was wondering if you could shed some light on this topic.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

The basis is that cosmetic treatments for purposes of mere beautification (tajmil) are impermissible because they entail changing or altering the natural form of a human being without due need. The jurists considered this to be a form of unnecessary mutilation (muthla).

Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be well-pleased with him, is reported to have said, “Allah’s Mercy is distant from women who tattoo others and get tattoos, women who pluck their eyebrows and have their eyebrows plucked, and women who file their teeth to make gaps for beauty, altering Allah’s creation.” (Muslim)

This is the judgement of some major international fiqh academies, and also many contemporary scholars. As for corrective procedures, and exceptional cases, their ruling is clearly different. But whenever the limb is within the realm of normality, it is not acceptable to surgically alter it.

It’s often healthier to simply work on your contentment (rida) and gratitude (shukr) than to seek ways of making yourself seem “more attractive,” according to the standards of those lacking in much faith or certitude.

(Qurra Daghi/Muhammadi, Fiqh al-Qadaya al-Tibbiyya al-Mu‘asira 539; Majma‘ al-Fiqh al-Islami al-Hind 271)

Please also see Is It Permissible to Get Botox Injections? and Can I Remove Hair on My Cheeks?

And Allah Most High knows best.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

The Pros and Cons of Breast Implants

Skin Color Modification

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

 

The Pros and Cons of Breast Implants

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Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan addresses a sister’s concerns about rulings on breast implants.

I pray that you and your family are very well. May Allah reward you all and keep you firm on the path of serving, striving, and emulating the Beloved, blessings and peace be upon him.

I recently read this SeekersHub reply on breast implants. The answer displays what one consistently sees in fatawa, and two conditions are clearly listed at the end as is often clarified. Readers respect our esteemed teachers, may Allah be pleased with you all, and hold such guidance sources such as your respected contributions and that of SeekersHub to an exceptional degree masha’Allah.

Hence, the potential repercussions for a person seeking such an answer or skimming through fatawa excerpts appears very troubling. We know people take bits of information while leaving other parts, especially while they may be (possibly subconsciously) unaware of their sway towards a certain course of action. Indeed, obtaining breast implants is not a quick uncomplicated task. However, I fear for some, the answer may seem to be an endorsed authorization and permission, even if it was not explicitly stated. The person taking action is of course responsible but their confidence and desire could I think lead things the wrong way, saying: “Well, Mawlana and SeekersHub said it was okay,” even though limitations were stated. Unfortunately, they could likely find doctors who say the conditions are met, while other practitioners would be in horrified disagreement. 

From the question, the purpose of the procedure is for a significant personal feeling of insecurity and the possible concern of a potential husband who is not even in the picture. Putting aside the larger concerns for a minute, it is disgusting for society to continue to tolerate such superficial and destructive attitudes. I acknowledge that the concern may be more of the wife’s than the husband’s. That identity of womanhood should not be minimized. Still, for a man to be oblivious and outweigh his physical expectation over deeper health consequences and repercussions seems very ignorant, irresponsible, and immature for a husband, who is supposed to be the caretaker and protector of his family.

People may intend well, while not really aiming to be inconsiderate of the ramifications. Similar scenarios could happen in families with breast cancer survivors. Intimate discussions of options are needed for such women, but I fear some people could use such an answer as a blanket prescription to an excuse for implants, even to the degree of trying to persuade a woman who is uninterested in the procedure, perhaps where she even becomes uncomfortable with an already emotional situation. One would like to believe that that feeling of near-shaming would not exist. The same could apply to unwarranted pressure from other females in the family, etc. 

Now, the sister has valid concerns but should refer to capable medical professionals who could look at her condition on a more personal level. Psycho-social support would be part of this. While genetically she may be closer to a certain body type, her nutritional and hormonal health should be assessed, including underlying health conditions, her medical history, effects from medications or other things in her environment, lack of balance within the body, certain behaviors, excessive exercising, possible disorders, etc. She should note that all practitioners may not be qualified to help her, just as all surgeons may not fully explain the possible risks and consequences of breast implant procedures. May Allah help her, giving her strength and tawfiq in her search. 

In this scenario, the sister seems to be of a younger age. She may be encouraged at the reminder that a woman’s body develops and changes throughout the stages of her life. Hormonal shifts after marriage, pregnancy, and childbearing would probably lead nature to take course. Many are interested in having a family and alhamduliLlah even smaller women can be built as great mothers by Allah’s great design. On the other hand, I have witnessed firsthand how women who previously had breast surgeries struggle to establish breastfeeding their newborn – desperately trying whatever they can. Some moms are able to, to some extent, but some regret their inability due to the previous elective surgery. One need not look far to see the extensive benefits of breastfeeding that are still being realized, subhan Allah. What are the rights of one’s children? We must try to give our best for their best. May Allah improve how we fulfill our duties, and forgive our shortcomings.

While one may find other ways to feed and bond with a newborn, other effects of breast implants can be potentially life-threatening and are most disturbing. Research shows there are many risks and potentially devastating effects of having implants. The augmentation is definitely not guaranteed to be safe. Possible risks include chronic infection along with those systemic effects, rupture, the body breaking down the implants, leakage of foreign materials like silicone gel into the body tissue, possible increased risk of cancer, the need for removal or replacement and upkeep through their lifespan, potential muscle and spinal pain, and various other symptoms… In the US, cosmetic implants can be seen as elective, leading health insurance companies not to pay for subsequent complications or screenings. After the surgery, with suggested MRI checks and replacement operations, costs easily near 50,000 USD according to one estimate, not including care for complications. Women say they had little knowledge of the impact breast implants could actually have on health. Years later women realize the repercussions of the choice their younger self made. Thousands undergo reversal surgery in regret. 

Regarding the woman’s body image and confidence, some women say they feel worse after the augmentation (not to mention the possible emotional roller-coaster as they now face this through the rest of their life). As for men, and the contentment of a possible future husband, the questioner should know that some men also do not like implants, actually being turned off by them. Either way, the decision to have the surgery is hardly an inconsequential or simple passing, short-lived choice. Some, as mothers years later, would never want their daughter to feel the need to make such a decision, rather valuing self-acceptance over acceptance from others. A young woman should hear that any Muslim man not wanting to marry her solely for such a reason could be considered too immature for the duties of a husband or parent. 

Regarding ‘urf, some note cultural preferences for body shape change through history. A recent fascination with unnatural physical expectations and what may almost be considered as “fake” women and “fake” unnatural relationships should not be something encouraged or sought. Hopefully the trend towards balance and fitness with emphasis on natural health and care of the human body will continue to improve in a good direction. That “in” custom is currently happening even though society is also pushing for the fake woman model that we all know is plaguing the world today. May Allah protect us from being susceptible to such fallacies. Praise be to our Creator Who has fashioned us in the best manner and blessed us with the complete and perfect din. AlhamduliLlah. 

فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

Please forgive me for my errors. Masha Allah, you have other matters to address, but the answer I read really concerned me and we do not want people to misuse or misconstrue the information. May Allah guide and safeguard us. Please make du’a for us. Barak Allah fikum. 

Allah knows best. Jazakum Allah khayr.

Jazak Allah khayr for your concern and comment.

The question regarding the pros and cons of breast implants is one that cannot be settled in this post. I am personally inclined to the suggestions presented by the respected sister and acknowledge that many a times while answering questions, we tend to almost simplify matters. To this end, I thank the sister for sharing her thoughts and criticisms in a positive and constructive manner.

Nonetheless, since it is not practical for a religious scholar to settle medical debates such as breast enhancement and whether it has a high success rate or whether it is predominantly safe (keeping in mind that many statistics regarding the failure of breast implants may have been in earlier times when implants were just introduced), and the fact that people are in need of religious guidance, the answer was given with the conditions mentioned.

The questioner thus has to be honest with herself in consulting reputable professionals that she has confidence in. We further would like to believe that she would have the integrity not to misuse the answer that was given. Also, in relation to another point you raised, the fact that some readers may be doing fatwa shopping, misreading, and consequently misusing answers found online, is something which is unfortunately unavoidable.

In short, your concerns have been noted and I have added an additional note to the original answer that was given.

May Allah bless and increase you.

Wassalam,

Abdurragmaan Khan

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Is My Income as a Secretary for a Cosmetic Surgery Clinic Permissible?

What Is the Islamic Ruling on Water Liposuction?

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

Are Breast Implants Permissible?

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Shaykh Abdurragmaan Khan answers a question on the permissibility of breast enhancement as a way to remedy what some societies might consider a defect.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

My friend has been depressed and self-conscious for a long time due to having very small, almost non existent breasts. She’s completely flat chested. She feels like her future husband will be very disappointed when he sees her breasts.

She doesn’t feel that she looks like a woman and is desperate to get breast implants. Please can you give advice as to if it is acceptable in her circumstances.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

Thank you for your question and concern.

The general rule is that modifying or altering the form upon which Allah created human beings is impermissible or haram. This is based on the hadith of Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud, Allah be pleased with him, where The Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, prayed that Allah curses a group of people, guilty of changing the form Allah created man upon. (Muslim)

Nonetheless, scholars, acknowledging this general ruling, have made a number of exceptions from and concessions. One instance of exception is when someone has been created with a clear defect or developed a defect due to an accident or the like. In such cases it is permissible to remedy that defect where medically possible.

Examples of this would be straightening teeth in cases where they are so disproportioned that merely looking at the person is difficult. Another example is where a lady grows a beard. Scholars considered it recommended for her to remove her beard. A final example would be when someone is involved in an accident and develops some deformity. He or she may then go for plastic surgery to restore his or her normal form.

Regarding the question at hand, one needs to determine whether the absence or near absence of breasts is considered a defect for a lady. This may be determined by ‘urf or custom. If it is established, customarily, that the absence or near absence of breasts is a defect, the current writer holds that implants would be permissible provided the following two conditions are met:

1. No alternative, less invasive, medical solution exists and

2. The procedure is considered safe, with a high probability of success.

And Allah knows best.

Abdurragmaan Khan

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Breast Reduction Surgery Due to Back Problems

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

Is It Permissible to Get Dental Work Done For Beautification?

Is Cosmetic Surgery Permitted in the Shafi’i School?

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Answered by Shaykh Jamir Meah

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I am a lady who ,after lot of effort lost weight. The thing is I now have sagging skin on my face and wrinkles on my cheeks. Someone ,while talking to my husband ,was referring to me as his mother!! I really felt sorry for him and myself. Is it permissible to do a cosmetic surgery to have the face that I had before weight loss?

Answer: Wa’alaykum assalam. Jazakum Allah khayr for your question. May Allah make things easy for you and your family, and reward you for seeking to do the right thing, especially when your situation is one that causes a lot of angst.

The general ruling in the Shafi’i school is that any cosmetic surgery done for the sake of beauty alone is impermissible, as it falls under the general rubric of changing the natural creation of Allah, which is prohibited in Islam. Cosmetic surgery done for other than beatification is permitted.

Imam Nawawi, speaking of filing the teeth, states ‘This is impermissible for both the one who is doing it and the one it is done for because of the hadith and because it changing the creation of Allah Most High … What is impermissible is doing that for the purpose of beautification. As for when there is a need, such as medical treatment or disfigurement … or the like, then there is nothing wrong with that.’ [Sharh Muslim].

While these reference specifically discusses filing the teeth, the underlying principle holds for all forms of cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery for beauty alone

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Allah’s curse is on those women who practise tattooing and get themselves tattooed, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who make space between their teeth artificially to beautify themselves. They are such that they change the nature and features created by Allah. Allah’s Messenger also cursed such women.’ [al Bukhari, Muslim]

For this reason, the scholars of sacred law have stated that any cosmetic surgery undertaken for the sake of beautification alone is prohibited.

Cosmetic surgery other than for beauty alone

While cosmetic surgery done for the sake of beautification alone is prohibited, as we cited from Imam Nawawi, when there is a genuine need for cosmetic surgery, then it becomes permissible. This is even the case when the genuine need is accompanied by the end result of beautification.

The scholars have described ‘genuine needs’ to include:

1. When one has an extra part or limb, such as an extra finger.

2. When there is something on the body that is not usually found in most people, and its presence causes physical or psychological discomfort and anxiety, such as prominent birthmarks, moles, congenital defects, or abnormal features which may cause persistent and unwanted attention.

3. When there is a need to return a body part to its previous form, such as disfigurements from accidents etc., or excess flaps of skin after sudden weight loss.

In such cases, cosmetic surgery is permitted. Generally speaking, it is advisable that one first speaks to both a scholar and a doctor before proceeding with any such surgery.

Conclusion

In your specific case, cosmetic surgery would be permissible for you to undertake, as it falls under both points 2 and 3 above.

May Allah grant you ease in every matter and bring you peace. Please do remember us in your du’as, especially if and when you proceed with surgery.

Warmest salams,
[Shaykh] Jamir Meah

Shaykh Jamir Meah grew up in Hampstead, London. In 2007, he traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he spent nine years studying the Islamic sciences on a one-to-one basis under the foremost scholars of the Ribaat, Tarim, with a main specialization and focus on Shafi’i fiqh. In early 2016, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continues advanced studies in a range of Islamic sciences, as well as teaching. Jamir is a qualified homeopath.

The Rulings on Laser Eye Surgery and Corrective Nose Surgery

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Hope you are well and in good health. I have a couple of questions.

Is it haram to have laser eye surgery?

When i was young i broke my nose and had a small operation. I sometimes have difficulty breathing through my nose but its nothing major as i breathe through my mouth most of the time. Would it be haram if i had another nose operation/plastic surgery done to make it smaller as it is bigger than what it was before because of the bone moving out of place.

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

1) Laser eye surgery is permissible.

2) A nose surgery to allow for easier breathing would be permissible, as there is a valid health consideration in undergoing it.

However, I would advise you to explore all other options first before deciding on any surgery. There might be alternative remedies to your problem, and surgery doesn’t always work and can in fact worsen conditions, or provide only temporary relief.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Related Answers:

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

Breast Reduction Surgery Due to Back Problems

What Is the Islamic Ruling on Water Liposuction?

Breast Reduction Surgery Due to Back Problems

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Is it permissible for a woman to get a breast reduction surgery? If she’s having back problems due to the large size of her breast and her small body frame?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

Contemporary scholars allow breast reduction surgery in cases of genuine medical need, such as your situation of back problems (as opposed to for mere cosmetic reasons).

This permissibility is assuming (a) the surgery is normally known to alleviate the back problem and not cause more problems or other harm, and (b) other normally-permissible measures of alleviating the back problems have been tried and prove ineffective.

Also, the procedure would have to be performed by a female (if available).

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

What Is the Islamic Ruling on Water Liposuction?

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Answered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari

Question: What is the Islamic ruling on water liposuction?

 

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

As explained in previous answers that although Islam allows, and even encourages to some extent, non-surgical means of beautification, it prohibits having one’s body altered through surgical means due to the explicit texts of the Qur’an and Sunna prohibiting mutilation (muthla) and changing the nature created by Allah Most High (taghyir khalq Allah). All surgical procedures carried out on the body for the purpose of adornment have been prohibited by classical jurists (fuqaha).

As such, the surgical removal of excess body fat which lies just under the skin by way of liposuction is not permitted for beatification/cosmetic reasons. You have inquired about the permissibility of the innovative liposuction technique called AQUALIPO as opposed to traditional liposuction. Although harms are minimized in this method given that fat is removed gently with water-jet and there is no need for general anesthetic, hence less risk of complications, no major blood loss, less bruising and swelling, etc, it is nevertheless a surgical means of removing fatty tissue through the process of suction. It would still require a large bore cannula to be inserted to suck fat out, and thus the skin will be cut surgically, and the incision may even require stitching.

Liposuction will be permitted due to a genuine medical need. If a reliable physician advices that you should have the fat removed for health reasons, you may do so. Likewise, if the body fat is such that it is considered an abnormality to the point that it leads to a great deal of hardship and psychological pain, and there is no alternative besides resorting to liposuction, it will be permitted, for Islam permits bringing back to normality areas of the body that are deformed or damaged.

Imam Abu Dawud, Imam Nasa’i and Imam Tirmidhi (Allah have mercy on them) have recorded in their respective Sunan collections, that a Companion Arfaja ibn Aswad (Allah be pleased with him) had his nose damaged in the battle of kulab. He replaced it first with silver and then with a nose made of gold, with the consent of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). This permission was granted despite gold being unlawful for men.

As such, it is best that each individual case is discussed with a reliable scholar, Insha Allah.

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK
www.daruliftaa.com

Related Answers:

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

Is It Permissible to Get Botox Injections?

Is Cosmetic Surgery Allowed?

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Answered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam

Question: Is cosmetic surgery allowed?

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Mutilation of one’s body has been clearly prohibited in Islam. Allah Almighty mentions in Surah al-Nisa the words of Shaytan, when he said: “I will mislead them and I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and to deface the (fair) natural creation of Allah.” (4: 119)

To deface the fair nature created by Allah, both physically and spiritually is what Shaytan likes and orders to practise.

Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) said: “Allah’s curse is on those women who practise tattooing and get themselves tattooed, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who make space between their teeth artificially to beautify themselves. They are such that they change the nature and features created by Allah. Allah’s Messenger also cursed such women.” (Recorded by Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim in their respective Sahih collections)

In view of the above, the jurists (fuqaha) have declared all types of mutilation to one’s body to be unlawful (haram) unless when Shariah permits to do so, such as: circumcision, trimming the hair of the body, cutting the nails, etc… or that which is considered an adornment for the body, such as: piercing the ears or the nose, etc.

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery for the purpose of beautifying oneself is also (in light of the above explanation) impermissible. The body given to us by our creator is a trust (amanah), thus it is unlawful to tamper with it in any way. If one does so, one will be committing the sin of “changing the nature created by Allah” (taghyir khalq Allah).

However, if there is a genuine need, for example, a particular organ of the body is severely deformed, the nose is damaged or a child is born with six fingers, etc…, then to perform cosmetic surgery will become permissible.

Imam Abu Dawud, Imam Nasa’i and Imam Tirmidhi (Allah have mercy on them) relate in their respective Sunan collections, that a Companion (sahabi) by the name of Arfajah ibn Aswad (Allah be pleased with him) had his nose damaged in the battle of kulab. He replaced it first with silver, and then with a nose made of gold, with the order and consent of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace).

It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“If one intends to cut off an extra finger, it will be permissible as long as there is no fear of perishing.” (4/114)

It should be also remarked here that, if cosmetic surgery was carried out due to a genuine reason, then the ablution (wudu) and obligatory bath (ghusl) will be valid by letting the water flow on the surgical area, even though the water does not reach the actual body. (See: Raddal-Muhtar, 1/104)

In conclusion, cosmetic and plastic surgery for the purpose of beautifying and adornment is impermissible. However, if there is a genuine need due to something being abnormal or deformed, then there is a dispensation of permissibility.

And Allah Knows Best

Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK