Fatwa ID: 09470
Answered by Mufti Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
I have a personal question regarding cosmetic correction from an Islamic (Hanafi) perspective.
I have a naturally slight facial asymmetry, and my nose is also slightly off-center—not severely, but enough that it’s noticeable to me and sometimes affects my confidence. It does not affect my breathing, but it causes me emotional discomfort and self-consciousness in social settings.
My intention is not to pursue beauty for vanity as in I don’t want to alter the shape, but rather to restore a more balanced or typical and aligned appearance, InshAllah.
In this case, would it be permissible for me to consider a minor cosmetic procedure to correct these features, under the Hanafi school?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Summary
Cosmetic correction is permissible only if it is to remove an actual deformity and restore normalcy, but it is not for beautification and vanity.
Correcting Medical Deformities
In the Hanafi Madhhab, it is impermissible (Harām) to undergo permanent cosmetic procedures for beautification purposes. However, an exception exists for correcting genuine defects (‘Uyūb) or deformities conditional that it restores normal appearance and function.
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 (ﷺ) ordered me to get a node made of gold. [1]
If a man wishes to cut off an extra finger or something else, Nuṣayr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If the predominant outcome of cutting it is destruction (death), then he must not do it. But if the predominant outcome is safety, then there is no harm (he has leeway to do so). [2]
Correcting Facial Deformities
First, consider whether there is a genuine need to correct your nose and if it truly appears unnatural and misaligned. Consult an expert doctor and ask if a correction is necessary. If your facial asymmetry and nose misalignment are negligible and not noticeable to others, emotional distress and social discomfort are not sufficient grounds for a procedure. However, if your facial asymmetry and nose is severe that it is easily noticeable to others and established by a doctor, and your intention is to restore a typical appearance rather than pursue vanity and beautification, then a minor corrective procedure would be permissible, provided it does not involve unnecessary risk.
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Mufti Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ هَاشِمِ بْنِ الْبَرِيدِ، وَأَبُو سَعْدٍ الصَّغَانِيُّ عَنْ أَبِي الأَشْهَبِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ طَرَفَةَ، عَنْ عَرْفَجَةَ بْنِ أَسْعَدَ، قَالَ أُصِيبَ أَنْفِي يَوْمَ الْكُلاَبِ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَاتَّخَذْتُ أَنْفًا مِنْ وَرِقٍ فَأَنْتَنَ عَلَىَّ فَأَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ أَتَّخِذَ أَنْفًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1770
[2]
إذَا أَرَادَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْ يَقْطَعَ إصْبَعًا زَائِدَةً أَوْ شَيْئًا آخَرَ قَالَ نُصَيْرٌ – رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى – إنْ كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى مَنْ قَطَعَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ الْهَلَاكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَفْعَلُ وَإِنْ كَانَ الْغَالِبُ هُوَ النَّجَاةُ فَهُوَ فِي سَعَةٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَجُلٌ أَوْ امْرَأَةٌ قَطَعَ الْإِصْبَعَ الزَّائِدَةِ مِنْ وَلَدِهِ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا يَضْمَنُ وَلَهُمَا وِلَايَةُ الْمُعَالَجَةِ وَهُوَ الْمُخْتَارُ وَلَوْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ غَيْرُ الْأَبِ وَالْأُمِّ فَهَلَكَ كَانَ ضَامِنًا وَالْأَبُ وَالْأُمُّ إنَّمَا يَمْلِكَانِ ذَلِكَ إذَا كَانَ لَا يَخَافُ التَّعَدِّيَ وَالْوَهْنَ فِي الْيَدِ كَذَا فِي الظَّهِيرِيَّةِ
Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyyah, vol. 5, pg. 360, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah