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:

What are the views on plastic surgery in Islam?

(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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

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.

Dear and Beloved 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 to repair people who have damaged their body parts or have had an accident, etc. But to change or alter one’s body parts for no valid reason, but only as an adornment or beautification by plastic 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 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, it would not be permissible for one who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to change or alter any part of his bestowed form through plastic surgery, etc. without an absolutely valid reason.

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

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan