Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu alaikum,

 

I am a divorced mother who is has been considering getting plastic surgery. After having my children my body has changed in a way that I am not very pleased with. I do not like looking at myself in the mirror for I do not like the way my body has changed. I feel as though my poor body image will hinder me from ever getting married again. Would getting surgery in order to improve my self confidence still be considered haram?

 

Wassalaamu.

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Plastic surgery

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Respected Sister in Islam, almost all the scholars in Islam are absolutely unanimous in their opinion that there is no harm if the modern advancements in medical knowledge and surgery is used or performed to repair people who have damaged their body parts, or have had an accident, or for an absolutely genuine need and reason, etc.  But to change or alter one’s body parts for no valid reason, but only as an adornment or beautification by plastic or cosmetic surgery, etc. is absolutely against the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (saws). 

 

Allah Subhanah fashioned and created His creation in whatever form He Willed and Pleased; and as those who have submitted their will to the Will of their Lord in Islam, it does not behove a believer, who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day, to deface the fair nature bestowed for us by our Lord Most Merciful.

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 82 Surah Infitaar verses 6-8:

6        O man!  What has seduced thee from thy Lord, Most Beneficent?

7        Him Who created thee.  Fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias;

8        In whatever Form He Wills,  does He put thee together.

 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 118-121:

118    Allah did curse him (the Shaitaan) but he said: "I will take of Thy servants a portion marked off.

119    "I will mislead them and I will create in them false desires;  I will order them to slit the ears of cattle,  and to deface the (fair) nature created by Allah."   Whoever forsaking Allah takes Satan for a friend,  hath of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.

120    Satan makes them promises and creates in them false desires; but Satan's promises are nothing but deception.

121    They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in hell,  and from it they will find no way of escape.

 

In light of the above principles and guidance of the Holy Quran, there is absolutely no harm if one uses the art of plastic or cosmetic surgery for an absolutely genuine need; but it would not be permissible for one who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to change or alter any part of the bestowed form by nature through cosmetic surgery only as an adornment or beautification.  And Allah Alone Knows Best.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan