Is Hair Transplant Permissible in Islam? A Comprehensive Guide

Hair Transplant in Islam: Understanding the Permissibility and Rulings

What Is Hair Transplant And Is It Permissible?

What is hair transplant? 

A hair transplant is a medical procedure in which hair follicles are relocated from one part of the body (typically the back or sides of the scalp) to areas where hair is thinning or absent, such as the crown or front of the scalp. This procedure is primarily used to treat baldness or hair loss due to conditions like male pattern baldness, but it can also be used to restore hair after an injury or due to medical conditions.

Is it permissible for a man to undergo a hair transplant after losing his hair? 

1. Sheikh ’Abdulazīz Ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh was asked:

There is a procedure in modern medicine, where if hair is falling out, they take hair from another area and implant it to promote regrowth…? 

The Sheikh answered:

“If it is for treatment purposes, then it is permissible. However, if it is for mere decoration, pretension, or to imitate the enemies of Allāh, then it is not permissible.” 

2. Sheikh Salih Al-Luhaidan rahimahullah was asked:

What is the ruling on natural hair transplantation for the head, and does the person who undergoes the procedure fall into the category of those who “Pretend to have what they have not been given”? 

The Sheikh answered:

There does not appear to me any prohibition in this, because they benefit from it either for aesthetic reasons or health benefits, such as protecting their head from the sun if he commonly walks around bare-headed. And just as it is permissible for a person to have dental implants if they need them due to lost teeth, it is also permissible for a person to transplant hair to protect their head from cold or sunlight. There is no harm in this, insha’Allah.

Questioner: Some clinics offer hair transplantation through a “الوصل / attachment,” whereby hair follicles from one part of the scalp are transferred to another part: Is this considered a forbidden “الوصل/attachment”? 

Sheikh: The forbidden وصل refers to a woman who attaches artificial hair to make it appear thick and flowing. However, if the hair is applied for health reasons, such as to stimulate hair growth or to restore natural hair, there is no harm in it. In cases where hair is transplanted or treated in a way that helps revive dormant hair follicles and encourages new growth, I hope there is no prohibition in this. 

3. Sheikh Salih Al-Fawzan ḥafidhahullāh was asked:

What is the ruling on hair transplantation for both men and women? 

The Sheikh answered:

I am not sure what is meant by hair transplantation, as this requires understanding the intent and the results behind it. Whatever the case, a Muslim does not burden himself with such matters unnecessarily. However, if it is the case that a person experiences hair loss on their head or beard and uses medications to preserve the remaining hair and prevent further loss, this would be considered a form of treatment, and there is no harm in it.

CONCLUSION:

There is a general principle in the Sharī‘ah regarding permissible cosmetic procedures: it is allowed to restore a body part to its original state if it has been altered or damaged. Evidence supporting this principle includes the well-known story of the three men afflicted with physical issues: one was bald, another blind, and the third had leprosy. When asked by an angel what he wished for, the bald man requested hair to remove what was causing others to avoid him. This indicates that it is permissible for a person to seek the restoration of a body part to its natural condition. In the case of the scalp, the natural state is for hair to grow on it, so if a person suffers from baldness or hair loss, it is permissible to undergo a transplant, especially when the procedure involves placing hair in the natural hair follicles.