Cosmetic surgery

8-8-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have a question about a medical fact. One of my friends has cancer in her breast and now she had an operation where they cut most of her breast away! So she has just one breast left. But she was going to marry and her groom wants her to take a breast surgery. Now my question is if its allowed in Islam to take such a surgery and if its maybe Haraam if she doesn't take it. Actually she doesn't want to take a surgery but maybe she can't marry then. So please can you clear for me the Islamic law about this?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

Cosmetic surgery is of two kinds: First, to remove a defect which disfigures the original physical structure. Removing this kind of defect is permissible in Islam since it is a form of treatment. The Prophet said: "O slaves of Allaah, treat your selves,…" [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

Second, if the surgery is performed to attain beauty and increase one's attractiveness, and not to remove a defect, then it is not allowed because it is considered as changing the creation of Allaah.

If the reality is as you mentioned in your question, then there is no harm to undertake the surgery you are asking about. But it should be performed by a female doctor if at all possible.

Allaah Knows best.