Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that involves the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery aims to improve the appearance of the body, while reconstructive surgery aims to correct functional disorders or deformities caused by birth defects, diseases, or injuries.
Plastic surgery is a controversial topic in many cultures and religions, including Islam. Some people may view it as a way of enhancing their beauty, self-esteem, and quality of life, while others may see it as a form of vanity, deception, and disobedience to God. What does Islam say about plastic surgery? Is it permissible or prohibited? What are the conditions and limitations for undergoing plastic surgery? In this blog post, we will explore these questions and more, based on the Islamic perspective.
The Islamic View on Plastic Surgery
The Islamic view on plastic surgery is based on two main sources: the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Qur’an is the holy book of Muslims, which contains the words of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Sunnah is the collection of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which serve as a model and guidance for Muslims.
According to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, Muslims are required to respect and appreciate the creation of God, and not to alter or change it without a valid reason. God says in the Quran:
He is the One who has perfected everything He created, and started the creation of man from clay. Then He made his descendants from an extract of a humble fluid. Then He proportioned him, and breathed into him of His spirit. And He gave you hearing, and eyesight, and hearts. What little thanks you give! (Qur’an, 32:7-9)
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (Qur’an, 17:70)
And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (Qur’an, 2:195)
Based on these verses, Muslims believe that God has created human beings in the best and most beautiful form, and has honored them above many other creatures. Therefore, Muslims should be grateful for the blessings of God, and not harm themselves or their bodies by changing or altering them without a valid reason.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also warned against changing the creation of God, especially for the purpose of beautification or imitation. He said:
Allah has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those who remove their eyebrow hairs, and those who create a space between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, and such women as change the features created by Allah. (Bukhari and Muslim)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the man who dressed like a woman and the woman who dressed like a man. (Abu Dawud)
These hadiths indicate that Islam prohibits the cosmetic surgery that has the intention of changing the creation of God, or imitating the opposite gender, or following the trends of the disbelievers. Such surgery is considered a form of disobedience and ingratitude to God, and a sign of dissatisfaction and unhappiness with His decree.
However, Islam does not forbid all forms of plastic surgery. Islam allows the plastic surgery that has a genuine need or necessity, such as a medical need or to correct a physical defect. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
There is no harm in treating an injury or a defect. (Ibn Majah)
This hadith shows that Islam permits the plastic surgery that aims to restore the normal function or appearance of the body, or to remove a cause of pain or suffering. Such surgery is considered a form of healing and mercy, and a way of fulfilling the trust and responsibility that God has given to human beings.
The Conditions and Limitations for Plastic Surgery
Based on the Islamic view, plastic surgery can be classified into two types: permissible and impermissible. The permissible plastic surgery is the one that meets the following conditions:
- It is done for a valid reason, such as a medical need or to correct a physical defect.
- It does not involve changing the creation of God or imitating the opposite gender or the disbelievers.
- It does not involve harming oneself or others or wasting money or resources.
- It is done with the consent of the person undergoing the surgery and the approval of a qualified and trustworthy doctor.
- It does not involve any prohibited or unlawful means, such as using materials from pigs or humans or violating the rights of others.
Some examples of permissible plastic surgery are:
- Repairing a cleft lip or palate, which can affect the speech and feeding of a child.
- Reconstructing a breast after a mastectomy, which can help a woman cope with the psychological and emotional effects of breast cancer.
- Removing a mole or a wart, which can cause discomfort or infection.
- Correcting a deviated septum, which can cause breathing problems or snoring.
- Treating a burn or a scar, which can impair the function or appearance of the skin.
The impermissible plastic surgery is the one that does not meet the above conditions, or violates any of them. The impermissible plastic surgery is the one that is done for the mere purpose of beautification or altering the creation of God. Some examples of impermissible plastic surgery are:
- Having a nose job or a lip job, which can change the natural shape or size of the nose or the lips.
- Having a facelift or a botox injection, which can reduce the signs of aging or wrinkles on the face.
- Having a breast augmentation or a breast reduction, which can increase or decrease the size of the breasts.
- Having a liposuction or a tummy tuck, which can remove the excess fat or skin from the body.
- Having a hair transplant or a hair removal, which can change the amount or distribution of hair on the body.
These examples are not exhaustive, and there may be other cases that require further consultation and research. The general rule is that plastic surgery is permissible if it is done for a genuine need or necessity, and impermissible if it is done for the sake of vanity or changing the creation of God.
Conclusion
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty that involves the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery aims to improve the appearance of the body, while reconstructive surgery aims to correct functional disorders or deformities caused by birth defects, diseases, or injuries.
Islam has a balanced and moderate view on plastic surgery, which respects the creation of God and the dignity of human beings, and also allows for the healing and mercy of God. Islam welcomes plastic surgery, if performed for the patient’s benefit, and prohibits plastic surgery, if performed for the patient’s harm. Islam permits plastic surgery, if done for a valid reason, such as a medical need or to correct a physical defect, and forbids plastic surgery, if done for an invalid reason, such as beautification or altering the creation of God.
Plastic surgery is a personal decision that should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a qualified medical professional and a religious advisor. It should not be taken lightly or influenced by the trends or pressures of society. It should be based on the principles and values of Islam, which aim to promote the well-being and happiness of human beings in this world and the next.
