Dr. Zainab El-Saeed, Secretary of Fatwa at Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, stated that cosmetic surgery in Islam cannot be judged by one single ruling, as it depends on its purpose. She explained that Islamic law values both the preservation of health and respect for the natural form created by Allah.
She clarified that the first type of surgery is therapeutic, performed to treat physical or psychological harm caused by accidents, deformities, or injuries. This type is considered lawful as it falls under medical treatment.
The second type includes restorative procedures that aim to return a body part to its normal state or correct noticeable defects causing distress or social embarrassment. Such surgeries are permissible within Islamic guidelines and when performed by qualified professionals.
The third type, however, involves purely aesthetic enhancements done only for changing one’s appearance without medical or psychological need. This is prohibited in Islam, as it represents unnecessary alteration of Allah’s creation.
Dr. El-Saeed concluded that Islam encourages moderation and self-acceptance, allowing necessary cosmetic procedures for treatment but rejecting excessive or vanity-driven changes. True beauty, she noted, lies in contentment and good character, not in artificial modification.
