Is nose job really Haram in Islam?

[Ruhi_Rose]

And what about all other types of plastic surgery? 

I'm asking this question because I read recently that an Egyptian MP in this post-Mubarak era was kicked out of the party after it was discovered that he had a nose job done in an Egyptian hospital some time ago.  He tried to hide it by saying that the bandage on his face was because of injuries caused from an attack by thieves.  The cause for all this hassle was that according to the hardline Salafist/Wahabi laws, any cosmetic surgery or procedure is Haram.  They see it as interference with the creation of God.  But I don't see any such concepts in the Noble Quran.

Isn't it strange?  They kick out a man because he had a nose job done.  But instead, if he joined hands with the Zionists to attack Syria, then he would be made a hero.  The ouster of Mubarak has done no good to Egypt.  It's been a transfer from secular traitors to wahabi traitors.

Egyptian politician, Anwar al Balkimy, resigned before getting kicked out because of his nose job and lying to cover it up.


Related topic:
Does Verse 4:119 (Surah An-Nissa) include a reference to plastic surgery?

[Zainab_M]

Yeah I had read about this too.  Well, I would say not all plastic surgeries are Haram.  You're right, the Noble Quran does not convey any such concepts to ban it altogether.  Of course it's preferable not to bring unnecessary changes to the creation of Allah.  However, first off, every case has to be judged in its own different context and secondly, the intentions matter a lot too.  

Correcting a deformity is very definitely not Haram even though that comes in the category of plastic or cosmetic surgery.  Also, I wouldn't call a nose job like this one Haram.  These are really very insignificant issues.  Nose job or a facelift to remove wrinkles does not express any violations as per Quranic principles.  If it's done for one's self satisfaction it's okay but it shouldn't be done with the idea to attract attention by leading a corrupt social life.  Also, there are certain kinds of plastic surgery which are done only with vulgar or cheap intentions e.g. breast implants, butt-cheek implants, liposuction of thighs etc.  These sort of things simply don't serve any positive purpose and are just introductions of corrupt ideas and very costly too resulting in big waste of money.   Also, any kind of plastic surgery or cosmetic procedure will become Haram if it is done with any superstitious notions.   It's referred in the Quran (I cannot recall the Surah now but we have it here at MV)  that during 7th century Arabia the pagans had a superstitious custom to cut of the ears of the cattle.  In India, the pagan hindus still have similar customs.   If humans carry out any cosmetic procedures like piercings, tattoos, or even the extensive procedures involving surgeries for any such superstitious purposes, that will be completely Haram.   But if simple procedures of the face/body like nose job, facelift etc. or piercing of the ears (the normal way) are done for one's self satisfaction, then I would say it's absolutely fine.  

[Ruhi_Rose]

Hummm ,, exactly.  I have the same opinion. 

That liposuction bit reminds me of a conversation we had at our Islamic community center the other day.  We unanimously agreed that stuff like liposuction of legs & thighs and breast implants are not right considering the purposes for which they are done in the West and in Hollywood. 

But if a practicing Muslimah who adheres to strict Islamic dress code while going out desires liposuction of the legs or breast implant only for the sake of her husband, how about that?   I never even think of such stuff but I mentioned it because a sister brought up this query.  I didn't comment but was reminded of it now so I thought I'd ask you folks.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Sis Zeynab ...... what u explained makes a lot of sense.  I too don't understand this idea of making simple & clean issues Haram with the notion that it interferes with nature.  From that perspective even a lot of life saving medical procedures should be Haram.  If someone suddenly gets an inflamed appendix, that too is a natural situation.  Does it mean surgery should be Haram because some wahabi wrongly reads it as changing the will of Allah?   In fact, among some orthodox Christian groups (probably the Amish community), blood transfusion is forbidden.   All such ideas come from non-Islamic sources and wahabis are heavily into un-Islamic sources.  You are also right that no one ever thinks of plastic surgery being Haram in cases of deformity.  I know of many Muslim families who have had corrections done on themselves or their children involving certain minor or major birth deformities.  No one talks about that as Haram.  But I'm not sure about the Wahabis.  Probably they would disallow it. Though a deformity may also be referred to as "fitrah" or nature, our common sense tells us that it isn't Haram if it's affordable for the person. 

Yes, madness like breast implants etc. are gross and degrading and have no room in decent communities with decent people.

But if a practicing Muslimah who adheres to strict Islamic dress code while going out desires liposuction of the legs or breast implant only for the sake of her husband, how about that?   I never even think of such stuff but I mentioned it because a sister brought up this query.  I didn't comment but was reminded of it now so I thought I'd ask you folks.

Sis Ruhi, I think that poor sister must be married to some jerk with weird ideas who is probably pressuring her to alter her natural body.   Otherwise why would she ask such a silly question?  But to answer it, I would say of course it would be okay if someone wanted breast implant or liposuction of legs only to please and show to her husband.  However, the important point is, no rational or self-respecting husband who loves his wife will ever want her to change her natural body and indulge in such lousy transformations for the sake of satisfying his lower desires.  And understandably, not sensible wife would agree to such requests from a disgusting husband. 

[Zainab_M]

Sister Heba, you brought up a couple of very valid points.  From the wahabi perspective (or fractious logic) almost everything can come in the category of "fitrah."   I've also read in a medical journal that some orthodox Christian sects don't approve of blood transfusion for similar reasons.

Sis Ruhi ,, LOL .. I think Heba summarized the response to that sister perfectly

[Ruhi_Rose]

Sis Ruhi, I think that poor sister must be married to some jerk with weird ideas who is probably pressuring her to alter her natural body.   Otherwise why would she ask such a silly question?  But to answer it, I would say of course it would be okay if someone wanted breast implant or liposuction of legs only to please and show to her husband.  However, the important point is, no rational or self-respecting husband who loves his wife will ever want her to change her natural body and indulge in such lousy transformations for the sake of satisfying his lower desires.