Does Shariah permit getting Botox?

Allah the Almighty warns in the Qur'an about the oath of Iblis, the devil:

“I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah” (An-Nisa, 119)

Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Allah has cursed those who tattoo, those who get tattooed, those who pluck eyebrows, those who have their eyebrows plucked, those who separate their teeth for beauty, and those who change the creation of Allah.” (Muslim).

Therefore, if Botox is done for extra beautification, to hide natural aging, or to alter one's natural appearance, or if it is done with the intention of deception or trickery, then our Shariah strictly forbids it. However, if it is used to correct a defect in the body, or to treat congenital or acquired deformities, such necessary medical procedures are permitted.

If the harm of Botox outweighs its benefit, or if its harm and benefit are equal, then its use is also prohibited. In our Shariah, it is not allowed to harm oneself or others. When faced with two harmful things, the lesser harm is tolerated to eliminate the greater harm.

There are two ways Botox is used: for medical and for cosmetic purposes. In cosmetics, it is used to smooth facial wrinkles. Medically, it is used for conditions such as cerebral palsy, torticollis, after a stroke, to correct facial asymmetry caused by muscle or groin diseases, or to prevent excessive sweating.
Botox is injected into the muscle to paralyze it. The purpose is to smooth wrinkles. When injected, it tightens the skin, making wrinkles disappear instantly.

Experts say Botox can be harmful to the body, disrupt the nervous system and facial expressions, and cause dependency. Since every person's body is different, some may tolerate Botox well, while others may have allergic reactions. As people age, facial muscles weaken, so the amount of botulinum therapy is reduced. However, this depends directly on a person's lifestyle and metabolism.

Prepared by Khasan AMANKUL,

“Munara” newspaper, No. 2, 2022