Breast Surgery if Breasts Become Ugly or Unsightly

Breast Surgery if Breasts Become Ugly or Unsightly

Question:

Is it permissible to have breast reconstruction if the breasts have become ugly/unsightly due to hormonal changes and breastfeeding?

Answer:

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

Having surgery done on one’s breasts purely for the purpose of beautification is not allowed, for it involves mutilating one’s body (muthla) and changing the nature created by Allah Most High (taghyeer khalq Allah).

However, if the breasts have become extremely abnormal, in that they are considered to be ugly, unsightly and hideous to the point that it leads to a great deal of hardship, then there would be a dispensation of permissibility.

Thus, if you are able to use some sort of medical treatment in order to normalize your breasts, then you should do that. However, if you have no option but to have surgery done, then that would be allowed in such exceptional cases, provided two conditions are met:

1) The operation is safe from potential harms.

2) It is carried out by a female specialist, if possible.

It is important to be aware, too, of the many harms of many types of breast surgery, and to be wary to fall into modern myths of what is beauty. If one’s husband finds it difficult to accept one’s refusal, it may be wise to read relevant literature or even seek counselling together to deal with the situation in a wholesome and meaningful manner.

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK

Question #: 6264
Published: 26/06/2005

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