In an era where body modifications like tattoos, plastic surgery, and gender transitions are the new trend, understanding Islamic rulings on body modification can clear many doubts. The last twenty years have been wild compared to the entire history of mankind. With every passing day, there is a new term, concept, or piece of information. Technology has jumped to its epitome—like a balloon about to burst. There is a mass influx of information, but there’s little wisdom. The more people have access to knowledge, the more things become blurry. Mankind has begun to ask questions about previously unquestionable ideas. What was once considered a norm since the beginning of human life is now under scrutiny. Are there only two genders? What if I looked like so-and-so? And these questions are not getting any answers instead raising more questions.
On the surface, it may seem like we have finally reached the epitome of human advancement and can transform our bodies however we find pleasing. But as we shed the initial glitter layers, we see that body modification is not inspired by creativity and freedom, but by insecurity. Hollywood, social media, and other mass media have introduced a crafted, filtered, and enhanced version of human beauty never known to mankind before. It almost sounds promising, to be anything you want to be, until it clashes with the very nature of humanity and the boundaries set by the Creator. This article will discuss Islamic rulings on body modification and key questions: Is plastic surgery haram? Are tattoos allowed in Islam? And why gender change clashes with Islamic principles.
Imitating the Opposite Gender in Islam: A Violation of Fitrah (human nature)
Allah says in the Quran: “Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own selves and things of which they have no knowledge” (Surah Yasin, verse 36). This verse tells us that everything in this world is created in pairs. These pairs complement each other but have their own uniqueness and identity. Men and woman, male and female plants, light and darkness, heaven and hell, and so on. It emphasizes that pairing is a deliberate act to establish balance (mīzān) and diversity in human societies. However, today we see people blurring the lines of differences and uniqueness.
Brands are now introducing gender-neutral clothes or androgynous fashion, claiming that fashion should be fluid or that clothes have no gender. Terms like tomboy or femboy have been coined to glamourize cross-gender dressing, hairstyles, and mannerisms. Famous celebrities like Harry Styles wearing skirts or women wearing oversized men’s suits, cutting their hair extremely short in masculine styles, or adopting traditionally male behaviors are shown as fashion icons being praised for challenging the status quo. Even fashion differences as simple as girls wearing pink, and men not wearing nail paint or jewelry, have been seen as conservative and falsely tied to toxic masculinity, sexism, and biases. It seems like everything that was once considered normal is now questioned and challenged without any valid reason. Islam, on the other hand, encourages women to embrace their femininity and men to embrace their masculinity.
Imitating the opposite gender in Islam is strictly forbidden. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly condemned such acts, as seen in the hadith: A narration from Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ reports: “The Holy Prophet ﷺ has cursed the effeminate from among men (who, in dress and looks, emulate women-like transvestites) and he has cursed the masculinized from among women (who, in dress, looks and ways, act man-like). And he said: ‘Expel them out of your homes’ ” (Sahih Bukhari). Furthermore, Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah Almighty has made lawful silk and gold for the women of my nation, but he has forbidden them for men” (Sunan al-Nasā’ī). Likewise, men shaving hair other than private parts, like chest, hair, and legs, is like imitating the opposite gender and therefore impermissible.
Haram Body Changes in Islam: Tattoos, Surgery, and More
Many argue that the Quran does not explicitly forbid body modification. However, Islamic rulings on body modification can be derived from the Prophet’s teachings. Our Prophet has addressed on several ocassions that body modification is haram in Islam. Following the word of the Prophet is the same as following the word of Allah. Allah says in the Quran: “Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it.” (Surah Al-Hashr verse 7)
Interestingly, to those who suggest that the Quran does not condemn body modification, a verse from the Quran clears many doubts. “Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah” (Al-Nisa, verse 119). This highlights that haram body changes in Islam include permanent or unnecessary alterations driven by dissatisfaction with Allah’s design. Since Prophet Adam and Hawwa (Eve), it was the human desire that has pushed us to do the forbidden. This verse tells us that changing the physical form of something Allah created is one of the false desires that Satan will use to tempt us and lead us away from the Almighty. This desire is further fueled by today’s mass media. Body modification, whether in the form of tattooing, gender transitioning, or plastic surgery, is ultimately a desire to look better. The basis of forbidding body modification is to be pleased with however the Almighty has created us. But that does not mean we should not take care of our appearance and beautify it in some ways. Following are the types of haram body changes in Islam and when there are exceptions.
Are tattoos Haram?
Islamic rulings on body modification explicitly forbid tattoos. Tattooing permanently changes the skin. Our body is an amanah to God and it is part of a muslim’s faith to take good care of it.
Narrated by Abu Huraira, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Do not practice tattooing and do not get yourselves tattooed” (Sahih Bukhari). It was also narrated by Abdullah Bin Masood that Allah’s Messenger said: “May Allah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification, and alter the creation of Allah” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). Some may argue that these hadiths mention women explicitly, and that tattooing might be allowed for men in Islam. However, the hadiths specifically mention women because they are more likely to beautify and adorn themselves due to their natural desire to look good. The Quran mentions women as “a creature who is brought up in adornments” (Az-Zukhruf, verse 18). For this reason, the hadiths on tattoos and eyebrow plucking are mainly addressed to women, but forbidding it for women automatically forbids it for men too.
Is plastic surgery Haram?
Plastic surgery is a major topic in modern discussions about Islamic rulings on body modification. Today we see every next celebrity going under the knife, while posting love yourself. This trend from Hollywood has infiltrated millions of young minds, where they spend hours looking into the mirror, dissecting what features they can improve, and comparing their pictures to professionally edited ones. Many apps, like Snapchat and Facetune, have shown users retouched versions of themselves, presenting a fantasy of what they would look like with certain features altered. Aesthetic procedures have increased by 41.3% over the past four years, according to a 2022 survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). Breast augmentation, lip injections, liposuction, butt lifts, nose jobs, permanent makeup, microblading, and the list does not end here— it seems like for every insecurity created by the media, there is a solution available on the market.
Changing one’s body out of dissatisfaction is a rejection of Allah’s perfect creation. Allah says in the Quran: “And indeed, We created man in the best stature” (Surah At-Tin, verse 4). However, Islamic rulings on body modification permit surgeries to repair injuries, congenital defects, or restore function. Surgeries and procedures are therefore allowed in certain scenarios where it restores the body’s original structure or functionality repairs congenital defects like a crooked nose, extra finger, abnormal teeth or birthmark that is causing unwanted attention or physical discomfort or psychological distress. Repairs damage from injuries, burns, illnesses, or prior surgeries alleviates physical disfigurement if they cause undue physical or emotional hardship.
Are wigs haram in Islam?
Islamic ruling on Wigs and hair extensions fall under prohibited adornments. Allah’s messenger said: “Allah has cursed the lady who lengthens hair artificially and the one who gets her hair lengthened artificially.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Is Eyebrow plucking and microblading haram?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “May Allah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification, and alter the creation of Allah” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). This hadith tells us that microblading and removing or shaping eyebrow hair by any means, such as plucking or laser, is prohibited, and those who do this are cursed.
Is Gender/Sex Change Surgery Haram in Islam?
The extent of body modification does not stop here as individuals are now completely changing their genders. Many people are now saying that they do not feel comfortable in their own gender and opt for transgender surgery. Gender transition and transgender surgery are strictly haram. Not long ago, schools were places for learning and teaching; however, they are now pushing beliefs. Kids’ curriculum is incorporating sensitive topics like there being more genders than two, masturbation, and other sexual themes. The result of this brainwashing is clear in statistics. In the United States alone, in 2021, about 42,000 children, aged 6 to 18, were reported to feel mismatched with their assigned gender at birth. The numbers have tripled since 2017. Female teenagers are taking puberty-blocking medications to suppress sex hormones and stop breast development and menstruation. Those past their puberty, are opting for gender surgeries such as genital surgeries, breast reductions or augmentations, adam’s apple enhancements or reductions, removal of the uterus/ovaries or testicles, or changing their face for a more feminine or masculine appearance.
Allah says in the Quran
“And He creates the pairs—male and female—from a sperm drop when it is emitted” (Surah An-Najm,verses 45-47). This verse tells us that Allah alone determines gender when we are as early in our development as sperm. Changing or transitioning from one gender to another is a rejection of and intervention in the divine decree and is thus against Islamic teachings. However, in Islam, if someone is born with intersex variations (biological traits that do not strictly align with male or female categories), it is considered part of Allah’s divine wisdom and creative plan. Islam prohibits discrimination or mistreatment based on physical appearance and shows compassion and dignity for all. At the time of our Prophet (PBUH), there were intersex individuals, such as Anjasha and Heet, and they were equally respected.
Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) provides guidelines for addressing intersex cases. For instance, if an intersex individual shows predominant male characteristics—such as facial hair, a deeper voice, or attraction to women—they are recognized as male. Likewise, signs like breast development, menstruation, or attraction to men mean that the intersex individual is a woman. These individuals can undergo corrective surgeries to address their ambiguous intersex traits.
Conclusion
Body Modifications like tattoos, eyebrow plucking, wigs, and unnecessary plastic surgeries (except for medical needs), opposite gender imitation, and transgender surgeries are great violations of fitrah (human nature) and Haram (forbidden) in Islam. Islam guides us that real liberation is to accept and appreciate yourself as created, to be at ease in your skin, and not to do something out of peer pressure or just because it is trendy.