Cosmetic Surgeries to Decrease Signs of Aging: Permissible?

26 February, 2018
Q What is the Islamic ruling on undergoing minor cosmetic surgery to decrease signs of aging?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

It is permissible in the Shari`ah to undergo cosmetic surgery to remove a defect which is caused by an accident or the like, or a defect which is by birth, or to reduce signs of aging, or for beautification.


Answering your question, the General Iftaa’ Department in Jordan, states the following:

It is permissible in the Shari`ah to undergo cosmetic surgery to remove a defect which is caused by an accident or the like, or a defect which is by birth, or to reduce signs of aging, or for beautification. This is based on the Hadith in which the Prophet permitted for a person whose nose was cut off to replace it with a nose of gold.

The Hadith reads as follows: Narrated `Urfajah bin As`ad: “My nose was severed on the Day of Al-Kulab during Jahiliyyah. So I got a nose of silver which caused an infection for me, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered me to get a nose made of gold.” (At-Tirmidhi and others)

 The Prophet’s order to this person was meant to remove harm, but He (peace be upon him) didn’t prevent him from using silver.

Al-Imam Al-`Aini (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Products that remove freckles and beautify a woman’s face for husband are permissible, and this ruling applies to removing hair as well.

When Our Mother `A’ishah was asked about peeling off the face, she replied: “If the skin of the face has changed due to a certain condition, then it is permissible to peel it off.” In another narration, ” If it was for the husband’s sake, then do it.” A

bu `Ubaid reported that the jurists permitted extending hair with any material, except natural hair.” (`Umdat Al-Qari 20/193)

However, undertaking unnecessary surgery is prohibited in the Shari`ah for the Hadith where Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the maker and wearer of a wig and the tattooer and the one who is tattooed.” (Muslim)

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: https://www.aliftaa.jo/Question2En.aspx?QuestionId=3273