Fatwa ID: 04970

Answered by: Maulana Naieem Mohammad

Question

A lady’s one breast was removed due to breast cancer. A procedure is available for them to take flab from the stomach area and transplant it or something to create another breast. Would this surgery be permitted?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

The human body is a sacred possession owned by Allah and entrusted to us. We are not allowed to sell, donate or totally alter any part of our bodies including blood unless there is a dire necessity.

In the case where a person’s body part or limb has been injured or deformed and normal day-to-day life is difficult because of such injury or disability, then reconstructive surgery will be allowed due to it being a necessity for normal human life. The maxim of shariah law states,” Dire needs give temporary allowance to prohibition”[1].

The following points must also be considered when deciding upon the surgery:

• Are the health risks less than the benefits?
• Does the husband of the woman insist upon the surgery so that their marital life may return to a state of normality?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, then undoubtedly it indicates necessity and the permissibility of the reconstructive breast surgery will be allowed.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Naieem Mohammad

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Qawaaid ul Fiqhiyya,pg 43 # 29 and pg45 # 32