Fatwa ID: 08536
Answered by Maulana Yusuf Badshah
Question:
My question is regarding reconstructive surgery. I have a problem regarding my nipple and areola. I did send in a question regarding this before many years ago and the answer was I would be allowed surgery. My problem is my areola and nipples on both sides of my chest swell up and down where they protrude forward. By this I mean the nipple and areola become hard and increase in height and size. My issue causes me a lot of distress and I would like to get this solved.
I went to a surgeon few years ago and they said that I have glandular tissue that is causing this which would need removing via incision under the areolas as that is where its located. He said that I have a condition called gynocemastia which is over production of breast tissue in men caused by hormonal changes such as in puberty and this is whats causing the areolas and nipples to increase in height and size (swelling). It’s affecting me because its something that’s out of my control so cold weather, touching the area when showering or wearing clothes causes it to swell up and I have to wait for it to go back down. Its a constant back and forth where is swells and subsides. With the swelling my nipples and areola poke through clothing and they are very noticeable which I find distressing.
Regarding my nipples I was born with an extra nipple below my existing one on one side of my chest and the other side its a peculiar shape like it looks split into several nipples.
It affects my self image and confidence. I’m worried about my appearance and getting married as potential spouses may get put off. The surgeon I visited would look to remove the extra nipple and perform a nipple reduction surgery where they reduce the height, width and overall size of the nipple giving it a better appearance. After several visits to my gp, they suggested that I would need to go private to get this surgery as the NHS does not fund this.
After doing my own research and information I’ve collected, I would need 2 weeks out from work if working a manual job and a further 4 weeks of general recovery where I can’t lift things or do any hard manual work. I’m looking to book another consultation with different surgeons at different clinics/hospitals as my experience with one’s I’ve seen so far have not been the best or viable for various reasons.
The questions I have are as follows:
1 – Would surgery to fix this problem be allowed?
2- As Ramadhan is approaching would it be allowed to have surgery in Ramadhan which would mean that I wouldn’t be able to fast on the day and during recovery so potentially not fasting for 2 weeks of initial recovery or even the entirety of Ramadhan?
If I were to have surgery a week before Ramadhan started, would it be possible to not fast in Ramadhan for the 2 weeks post operation recovery where the second week would fall in Ramadhan as part of the 2 week recovery?
3 – What would be the method of making up fasts if I was allowed to have surgery in Ramadhan?
4 – I am guessing that surgery in Ramadan won’t be allowed so I can have the surgery after Ramadhan. However, I would like to get things ready so would it be allowed to have consultations during Ramadhan time where I would have to take my top off during a consultation so they can see the area and potentially expose parts of my satr.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
The surgery will indeed be permitted due to the difficulty and pain that arises from the issue [1].
However, given that the need to remove it is not immediate, you will not be permitted to undergo surgery before or during Ramadan if it means missing some fasts [2].
Given that you expect to take your top off, you should wrap something around your waist that covers what is below your navel so that your Satr remains covered. If this is not possible then it would be better to also delay the consultations until after Ramadan [3].
References:
[1] Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 56, Darul Fikr:
مِمَّا فِيهِ ضَرُورَةٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ تُبِيحُ الْخُرُوجَ عَنْ أَصْلِ الْمَذْهَبِ مِنْ طُرُوُّ الْمَنْعِ
[2] Raddul Muhtar, vol. 2, pg. 373, Darul Fikr:
(وَهُوَ) أَقْسَامٌ ثَمَانِيَةٌ: (فَرْضٌ) وَهُوَ نَوْعَانِ: مُعَيَّنٌ (كَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ أَدَاءً وَ) غَيْرُ مُعَيَّنٍ كَصَوْمِهِ (قَضَاءًَ)
[3] Raddul Muhtar, vol. 1, pg. 404, Darul Fikr:
(سَتْرُ عَوْرَتِهِ) وَوُجُوبُهُ عَامٌّ وَلَوْ فِي الْخَلْوَةِ عَلَى الصَّحِيحِ إلَّا لِغَرَضٍ صَحِيحٍ، وَلَهُ لُبْسُ ثَوْبٍ نَجَسٍ فِي غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ (وَهِيَ لِلرَّجُلِ مَا تَحْتَ سُرَّتِهِ إلَى مَا تَحْتَ رُكْبَتِهِ)
Only Allah s.w.t knows best.
Written by Maulana Yusuf Badshah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
