This article breaks down the Islamic rulings, conditions on cosmetic procedures —from reconstructive surgeries and weight reduction to hair restoration according to the council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. The article also highlights the practices that are forbidden. You will learn when cosmetic surgery aligns with Sharī’ah, the role of medical ethics, and practical guidance for patients and doctors alike.
The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, affiliated with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, held its 18th session in Putrajaya, Malaysia, from July 9-14, 2007. After reviewing research on cosmetic surgery and its rulings and holding extensive discussions, the Council decided (decision no. 173 (18/11)) the following:
Definition of Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a surgical procedure which is aimed at improving (and modifying the appearance of) one or more visible parts of the human body or restoring its function in case of significant impairment.
General Guidelines and Conditions for Performing Cosmetic Surgery
1. The surgery achieves a legally recognized benefit that is approved by the Sharee’ah, such as restoring functionality, correcting a defect, or returning the creation to its original form.
2. The surgery should not cause harm that outweighs the benefit expected from the surgery, and this matter is to be decided by trustworthy specialists in the field.
3. The procedure must be performed by a qualified and specialized doctor (male or female); otherwise, the responsibility will fall on him, according to Decision No. 142 (8/15).
4. The surgical procedure must be performed with the consent/permission of the patient (the person requesting the surgery).
5. The doctor (specialist) must provide informed and conscious clarification (to the person who will undergo the surgery) about the potential risks and complications that may result from the surgery.
6. There is no other method of treatment that is less impactful and invasive to the body than surgery.
7. The procedure must not result in violating Sharee’ah texts such as the Prophet’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying in the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu): “Allaah has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those women who have themselves tattooed, and those women who get their hair removed from their eyebrows and faces (except the beard and the mustache), and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth for beauty, whereby they change Allaah’s creation.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari] And the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma): “The woman who supplies fake hair and the one who asks for it, the woman who pulls out hair for other people and the woman who depilates herself, the woman who tattoos and the one who has it done when there is no disease to justify it, have been cursed.” [Reported by Abu Dawoud] And (texts in which the) Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prohibited women from imitating men, and vice versa. Similarly, the texts which prohibit resembling other nations or those engaged in immoral and sinful acts.
8. Rules of (medical) treatment must be observed, like avoiding seclusion (between male and female), and the rule concerning exposing private parts only in case of necessity or a compelling need.
Islamic Rulings
1. It is legally permissible, according to the Sharee’ah, to perform necessary and needed cosmetic surgeries that are intended for (the following purposes):
a) Restoring the shape of the body parts to the state in which humans are created because of the saying of Allaah in Surat At-Teen (95:4):
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
“Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould).”
(b) Restoring the normal function of body parts.
(c) Correcting congenital defects, such as: cleft lip (harelip), severe nasal deformity, birthmarks, extra fingers or teeth, and joint fingers if their presence causes significant physical or psychological (emotional) harm.
(d) Correcting emergency (acquired) defects resulting from burns, accidents, diseases, and similar causes, such as: skin grafting and transplantation, complete or partial breast reconstruction in case of mastectomy (removal of breast), or in cases of abnormal size, when its size is (excessively) large or small such that it causes health issues, and (this also includes) hair transplantation in cases of hair loss, especially for women.
(e) Removing ugliness that causes a person psychological or physical harm. [Council Decision 26 (1/4)].
2. It is not permissible to perform cosmetic surgery for enhancement that is not part of medical treatment that is intended to change a person’s normal creation out of personal desires and whims in following others. Examples include surgeries to change facial appearance to achieve a specific look, or for the purpose of deception or misleading justice, altering the shape of the nose, enlarging or reducing the lips, changing the shape of the eyes, or enlarging the cheeks.
3. It is permissible to reduce weight (slimming) using approved scientific methods, including surgery (liposuction) if the (excess) weight causes a health issue and there are no alternative non-surgical methods available, provided the surgery is done safely and without harm.
4. It is not permissible to remove wrinkles through surgery or injections unless it is a medical condition, provided no harm is caused.
5. It is permissible to repair a hymen that was torn due to an accident, rape, or coercion (force/threat). However, it is not permissible, according to the Sharee’ah, to repair a hymen that was torn due to committing an immoral act, in order to prevent corruption and deception. It is preferable that such procedures be handled by female doctors.
6. The specialist doctor must adhere to the Sharee’ah guidelines (Islamic principles) in his/her medical practice, and offer sincere advice (i.e., give religious guidance) to those seeking cosmetic surgery [The religion is Nasihah (sincere advice/sincerity)].
Recommendations:
1. Hospitals, private clinics, and doctors must adhere to Taqwa (fear) of Allaah, Almighty and not perform surgeries that are forbidden.
2. Doctors and surgeons must understand the rulings of medical practice, especially those related to cosmetic surgery, and not be led to perform it merely for financial gain, without researching its Shar’ee (legal) ruling, and not resort to any marketing propaganda that contradicts the facts.
And Allaah Knows Best.
Source: 
https://iifa-aifi.org/ar/2283.html
