Demand for Halal-Certified Cosmetic Surgery and Treatments Growing

Islamic law closely regulates and governs the life of every Muslim. Bioethical deliberation is inseparable from the religion itself, which emphasizes continuities between body and mind, between material and spiritual realms, and between ethics and jurisprudence. It may seem that religion prohibits and has strict rules on various issues. Things such as plastic surgery are thought to be haram (impermissible in Islam). Nevertheless, Islam, as a religion of ease and peace, welcomes the practice of plastic surgery as long as it is done for the benefit of patients.

However, the issue arises as most of the current cosmetic ingredients in the market are haram. Ingredients are mainly found to be made from any constituents derived from human body parts, blood, forbidden animal parts, and insects, and prohibited or restricted chemicals that are harmful or injurious to consumers. The current ingredients found in the market such as Botox and other injectable fillers that are widely used in cosmetic surgery are produced using non-halal certifiable (haram) ingredients.

Hence it is found difficult for Muslims to undergo cosmetic surgeries for any permittable reasons. But this contradicts the rise in demand for cosmetic surgery globally, even in places such as UAE and the Middle East that are more predominantly Muslims. Therefore, a stricter hygiene protocol and more halal-certified ingredients are needed to be put in place for such cosmetic surgeries.

To sum up, Islam is a religion of peace. Rules are strict but have a level of flexibility and the options to pick the easier methods for the practicing follower. It has the flexibility to respond to new biomedical technologies, emphasizing prevention and teaching that the patient must be treated with respect and compassion. That the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of the illness experience must always be considered. As long as the surgeries are done within limits and not in an exaggeration and extremism, it is considered to be permitted After all It has been mentioned that “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.” As more and more Muslim regions are taking on more cosmetic surgeries to undergo, the demand for halal-certified products and ingredients is in demand now more than ever.

Originally published on www.halalweekly.com