Is Liposuction Haram?
If the liposuction is done merely to change the physical appearance to make one look more appealing then it’s haram. But if liposuction is done as it was medically needed then it’s halal.
Whether liposuction is halal or haram depends on the reason it’s required in the first place. A lot depends on the intentions when it comes to Islamic liposuction rulings. Liposuction is widely common these days and Muslims should know all about it so I have written all the information relating to Islam and liposuction.
Why Is Liposuction Haram?
Liposuction is a surgical method of removing body fats in order to look better in most cases or when the fat is too much and it is a necessity medically. It is widely common these days as more and more people are trying to look good and healthy but do not want to exercise or eat well.
Muslims believe that Allah has created us all and He has the best vision of our bodies and looks. If liposuction is done just for looks by a person will mean that he is changing his looks from the way Allah intended him to look. This logic applies in most cases of liposuction and is deemed haram.
Allah says:
“I will certainly mislead them and delude them with empty hopes. Also, I will order them and they will slit the ears of cattle1 and alter Allah’s creation.” And whoever takes Satan as a guardian instead of Allah has certainly suffered a tremendous loss.”
[Quran 4:119]
There is another reason why Islam considers liposuction haram for Muslims when there is no danger to their health. If a person goes a liposuction surgery he/she has to undress in front of strangers which is considered haram in Islam. Of course, any surgery needed medically is allowed but we are only talking about liposuction done merely for looks.
A hadith also mentions the Prophet (peace be upon him) disliked those who attempt to change their appearance through filing and tattooing:
It was narrated that Abu Raihanah said:
[Sunan an-Nasa’i 5111]
“We heard that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] forbade filing (the teeth) and tattoos.”
When Liposuction Is Allowed In Islam?
Sometimes liposuction is a necessity. When fat becomes a lot and it is a danger to the health of the patient and doctors liposuction becomes halal. Allah never burdens any person a lot and so in emergency cases, liposuction is allowed in Islam.
Allah has ordered us Muslims to take care of our bodies and health as it was something that Allah gave us. Now there is a natural solution to the fat that is preferable and that is exercise. But if it’s too late for that then Allah allows liposuction to remain healthy.
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari says:
“Liposuction will be permitted due to a genuine medical need. If a reliable physician advices that you should have the fat removed for health reasons, you may do so.”
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Islamic Fatwa And Rulings On Liposuction
I have collected all the fatwas and rulings of Islam related to liposuction so it will give us more insight into the topic.
“It is forbidden to undergo a surgical operation for the purpose of beautification except in case of aberrant deformation or to replace a loss [in a part of the body] caused by a road accident or any other accident.”
[Jumaadaa Al-Oula 13, 1428]
This clearly tells us that Muslims are not allowed to perform any liposuction for changing their physical appearance. The only case where liposuction will be allowed in Islam is when there is an accident or medical necessity.
One more fatwa allowing liposuction when medically needed:
“Likewise, if the body fat is such that it is considered an abnormality to the point that it leads to a great deal of hardship and psychological pain, and there is no alternative besides resorting to liposuction, it will be permitted, for Islam permits bringing back to normality areas of the body that are deformed or damaged.”
[source]
Another fatwa that proves liposuction to be halal for Muslims when a doctor prescribes it:
“There is nothing wrong with treating the problems mentioned with remedies that are prescribed in sharee‘ah or with permissible remedies from specialist doctors who think it most likely that the treatment will be successful, because of the general meaning of the shar‘i evidence which says that it is permissible to treat diseases and illnesses with acceptable or permissible remedies.”
[source]
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Is Liposuction Harmful?
Liposuction is usually not harmful, but it requires surgery, which has many risks. In order for liposuction, one has to be sedated by anesthesia which can be risky in some cases.
There can also be complications after the liposuction is performed. Removing excess fat from the body can cause physical on your skin and blood pressure. Not to mention the poor skin elasticity as well for which one needs many other treatments.
In some cases, liposuction can also cause bruising of the skin as the procedure can damage some nerves. Skin infection is also one of the major reactions of liposuction.
Liposuction has many negative reactions, so Muslim scholars advise against it unless it is an emergency and needed.
Final Thoughts
Liposuction for changing physical appearance just for looking well is not allowed or haram in Islam. It is only acceptable and is considered halal when the excess fat is a danger to the health.
There can be many other risks involved in liposuction surgery as well which involve anesthesia and skin abnormalities. Make sure you really need liposuction and a doctor has prescribed it before you make a decision.
And Allah Knows Best.
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FAQs
Can Muslims have liposuction?
Normally Muslims must be okay with how Allah has created them so any liposuction merely for looks is haram. Muslims can have liposuction only when it is medically needed and is an emergency.
Is Smart Lipo Haram?
Smart Lipo is usually performed to change the physical appearance and is deemed haram by Islamic scholars. Any process for enhancing beautification is not allowed in Islam.
Is liposuction a risk?
Liposuction, like any major operation, carries risks such as bleeding and anesthetic reaction. Liposuction can also cause skin abnormalities such as reactions and it can have a negative effect on skin elasticity.
Is liposuction painful?
Liposuction is not painful because to perform it one has to be sedated by anesthesia. So you won’t feel any pain during the whole process of liposuction.
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