Khaberni - What is the ruling on cosmetic surgery? Cosmetic surgery has 3 cases, the first one: therapeutic cosmetic surgery such as treating physical or psychological damage resulting from an accident, deformation, or injury, and this is permitted religiously. The second type: operations to restore the organ to its natural state to return the organ's shape to the normal situation when there is a clear difference that causes psychological or social embarrassment. The regulations: The need must be genuine, adherence to religious regulations is required, and it should be performed by a doctor when necessary, and its ruling is that it is permissible religiously.
The third type: purely enhancement cosmetic surgeries aimed at changing the appearance merely for dissatisfaction with the creation without harm or need, like changing facial features just because of a desire for another look, and the ruling is religiously forbidden because it involves changing God's creation.
The ruling on cosmetic surgery in Islam
Dr. Zeinab Al Said, the Secretary of Fatwas at the Egyptian Fatwa Authority, answered a question regarding the religious ruling on cosmetic surgeries, explaining that the ruling varies depending on the type of surgery and its reason, not every cosmetic surgery is forbidden or permissible outright, but is divided according to its purpose into three types.
Conditions of cosmetic surgeries religiously
The Secretary of Fatwa at the Fatwa Authority, during TV statements on Sunday, clarified that the first type is therapeutic cosmetic surgeries, which are performed to treat physical or psychological damage due to an accident or deformation or injury, such as visible wounds or fractures or deformities causing harm. She mentioned that this kind satisfies the ruling of treatment and is considered among the necessities permitted religiously.
The Secretary of Fatwa at the Fatwa Authority also clarified that the second type - according to Dr. Zeinab - are cosmetic surgeries aimed at restoring the organ to its natural state, as if there is a clear deviation from the usual in the shape of one of the organs, causing severe psychological harm or social embarrassment. This type also falls within the scope of needs that allow for beautification, provided adherence to religious regulations, whether performed by a doctor or a doctor in cases of necessity.
The Secretary of Fatwa at the Fatwa Authority added that the third type consists of purely enhancement cosmetic surgeries not based on treating harm or psychological or medical necessity, but rather performed with the motive of changing for merely being dissatisfied with the creation, like one wishing to alter facial features or shape without cause. This type is religiously prohibited, as it involves changing God's creation without necessity and because it contradicts the principle of contentment with Allah's decree and destiny.
The Secretary of Fatwa at the Fatwa Authority affirmed that Islam does not prevent legitimate beautification intended to eliminate harm or restore the natural appearance, but rejects exaggeration and change just for appearances, calling for moderation and contentment with Allah's blessing, as "true beauty lies in acceptance and character, not in excessive alteration".
Ruling on nose reduction surgery
The Egyptian Fatwa Authority received a question about the ruling on performing cosmetic nose surgery, due to its large size causing moral social embarrassment. Is this part of changing Allah's creation?
The Fatwa Authority answered on its official website saying: There is no religious prohibition on performing nose reduction surgeries; if the nose size is unnatural and the person is harmed psychologically; as it is part of treatment and not for the purpose of beautification.
Ruling on reducing the nose for beautification purposes
The Authority clarified that it is religiously established that it is not permissible for a person to change anything of his/her creation that God has created for the sake of beauty, but it is permissible religiously to perform cosmetic surgeries in cases where the nose is unnaturally large to the extent that the purpose of the operation is to return the nose to the natural size that God created for most people; however, reducing it for the sake of beauty is changing God's creation and is not permissible.
The Authority confirmed that based on what was mentioned: There is no religious prohibition on performing nose reduction surgeries; if the nose size is unnatural and the person is psychologically distressed; as this is part of treatment and not for the purpose of beautification, whereas reducing it for the purpose of beauty is changing God's creation and is not permissible.
Is cosmetic surgery halal or haram?
Sheikh Mahmoud Shalabi, Secretary of the Fatwa Committee at the Egyptian Fatwa Authority, answered a question about the religious ruling on undergoing cosmetic surgeries, during a live broadcast on the Authority's Facebook page.
Shalabi explained, saying: Cosmetic surgeries, if they are for treating a certain disease like restoring the injured organ to its natural state or removing deformities, and this is approved by the doctor, then it is permissible and there is no harm in that, but cosmetic surgeries merely for beautification without any necessity is not correct.
Ruling on cosmetic surgery for removing freckles
A question was sent to the Fatwa Committee at the Islamic Research Complex, asking "I have freckles and birthmarks on my face, and I want to remove them, is this haram?
The Committee responded to the inquirer saying: "If this freckling and birthmarks on the face are a clear defect and deform the appearance; then there is no harm in undergoing cosmetic surgery, as such does not fall under changing Allah’s creation".
