Are you one of the Muslims who suffer from hair loss and wonder is hair transplant haram? Most scholars agree that hair transplant isn’t haram, but you should always check in with your trusted Islamic leader or organization’s opinions.
Hair transplant surgeries are more sought after nowadays whether they are halal or haram could be a question for people who identify as Muslim, especially if they suffer from hair loss.
The key points that you will read in this article are:
- MOST ISLAMIC SCHOLARS AGREE THAT HAIR TRANSPLANT IS HALAL BY THE RULINGS OF ISLAM.
- IF THE INTENT OR NIYYAH IS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH IT IS ALLOWED TO GET A HAIR TRANSPLANT.
- ANY KIND OF HAIR TREATMENT THAT INCLUDES ARTIFICIAL HAIR, SUCH AS WIGS OR HAIR EXTENSIONS IS NOT PERMISSIBLE BY ISLAM.
Remember, there could be different perspectives on hair transplantation, especially among different regions and different sects of Islam. So, for specific situations regarding hair transplantation procedure, it is best to contact your Marja or Imam.
Is Hair Transplant Haram Or Halal? The Islamic Perspective
Hair transplant is halal from an Islamic perspective. For a long time, whether a hair transplant is permissible in Islam or not has been a debatable topic. With advances in hair transplant and more demand for the procedure, most individual scholars have almost come to a united perspective on the matter. So, hair transplant is considered permissible by the majority of Islamic scholars.
Which Hair Transplant Technique Is Halal?
Most Islamic scholars agree that all of the techniques are halal. If you are questioning a hair transplant on a religious level you should know that every method used serves the same purpose.
What Is The View Of Islam On Altering Appearance Through Hair Transplant?
Islam is not against altering your appearance through cosmetic procedures, but it mainly focuses on modesty. As long as the procedure is done according to the ethical rules of Islam there would be no problem for you to get a hair transplant.
Why Do Some Scholars Consider Hair Transplants Halal?
Getting a hair transplant can help with the patient’s mental well-being, and Islam does not oppose that.
How Does The Intention Of Getting A Hair Transplant Make It Halal?
Intention directly affects the permissibility of a hair transplant surgical procedure.
The intention, which is known as niyyah in Islamic studies, is of utmost importance when it comes to engaging in any sort of activity. In the case of a hair transplant if the patient’s mental health and well-being are at risk because of hair loss most scholars allow them to go through the procedure.
Debating The Permissibility Of Hair Transplants
Scholars and hadith agree with the permissibility of hair transplants, with a few exceptions. We will investigate this topic from three standpoints:
- SCHOLARLY OPINIONS
- ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR
- ARGUMENTS AGAINST
Let’s explore the arguments regarding hair transplant haraam or halaal.
Scholarly Opinions
Most Islamic scholars agree on the permissibility of hair transplantation. But still, if you want to be sure you should consult with your Imam.
- What does the International Islamic Fiqh Academy say?
They declare that according to Shariah rulings, corrective surgeries, such as skin transplants, grafting, or hair transplants are permissible, especially for women. - What is the stance of the National Council for Religious Affairs in Malaysia?
The 94th Islamic Religious Affairs Meeting has decided that Islam does not prevent its followers from performing treatments such as transplanting hair with the purpose of removing defects, as long as it does not contradict and exceed the limits set by Syara. - What does Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymin say?
He has stated that hair transplant is permissible because it is not regarded as changing the creation of Allah.
Arguments In Favor
Considering the harm and potential risks of a hair transplant is another aspect that has some scholars divided. Since the surgery is done with full consent of the patient and there are not that many risks most scholars agree that it is halal.
DID YOU KNOW
Sahih al-Bukhari 3464, Book 60, Hadith 131 talks about the story of a leper, a bald man, and a blind man. They welcomed an Angel by Allah for their prayers to be answered. The angel went to the bald-headed man and said, 'What thing do you like most?' He said, 'I like good hair and wish to be cured of this disease, for the people feel repulsion for me.' The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was given good hair.
Arguments Against
The most important thing to consider is the intent of the procedure. If getting the procedure is only to have beautiful hair and spread vanity and pride it could be deemed haram.
Malik, at-Tabari, and many most of scholars agree that hair extensions, artificial hair plugs, and gathering hair from other people to be transplanted are haraam.
Al-Imam al-Nawawi in his commentary on the hadith states that any changes to the body made in pursuit of beauty, vanity, and improving your opinion in others’ eyes is haraam. This does not concern modern hair transplants as modern techniques don’t require hair plugs or artificial hair.
As long as your niyyah is fixed on improving your mental health, you should be in the clear.
Factors Influencing The Decision For A Hair Transplant
Even though opinions among scholars might vary based on some specific rulings and teachings of Islam, still there are a handful of factors that they consider and would influence the decision for hair transplant. These factors can be summarized as the following:
- WHETHER IT IS COSMETIC SURGERY OR MEDICAL TREATMENT
- INFORMED CONSENT AND CAUSING NO HARM
- MENTAL WELL-BEING
- AVAILABILITY OF ALTERNATIVES TO HAIR TRANSPLANT
The permissibility of hair transplants can be debated from different viewpoints.
Medical
To consider hair transplant a medical necessity, there should be a valid medical reason for it. Opinions among scholars might vary about this, but most Islamic scholars consider a hair transplant halal.
Another consideration is the mental well-being of the patient. If hair loss affects the patient’s mental health negatively, a hair transplant is considered halal.
Ethical
According to Islamic teachings, any kind of harm to the self is forbidden. Hair transplantation is a surgery and there will be harm, but this kind of harm is in order to help better the patient. The benefits of the procedure outnumber the almost minor inconvenience, so it is not considered as doing harm to oneself.
Cultural
Culturally speaking Islam has always promoted modesty and simplicity. If the intent (niyyah) of getting a hair transplant operation is not spreading vanity, hair transplantation is considered halal.
In Islam, it is frowned upon and some might say even forbidden to alter God’s creation. So, if the procedure is only intended as a cosmetic one, it would not be allowed.
Is It Haram to Get a Beard Transplant?
No, it is not haram to get a beard transplant. The agreements on the hair transplant operations apply to beard transplant operations too.
Is It Haram to Use Minoxidil?
According to scholars, using minoxidil is not haram. Medically speaking, it is considered a treatment and a medication for your hair loss.
Can You Get A Hair Transplant During Ramadan?
Yes, most Islamic scholars agree that you can get a hair transplant during Ramadan. Since you will only receive local anesthesia for your scalp, your fast won’t be broken.
The only thing you need to be careful about is receiving enough nutrition between Iftar and suhoor. Your newly transplanted hair follicles will require as much nutrition as they can, so make sure to eat healthy, balanced meals to break your fast.
REFERENCES
Atiyeh, Bishara S et al. “Aesthetic surgery and religion: Islamic law perspective.” Aesthetic plastic surgery vol. 32,1 (2008): 1-10. doi:10.1007/s00266-007-9040-7
https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/1434-irsyad-al-fatwa-series-150-the-ruling-of-selling-or-donating-hair-and-hair-transplant
