Is there an authentic chain of narration for the statement attributed to Aisha: "If something was born with her and is part of her, it is not permissible for her to remove it; but if something occurred later, there is no harm in peeling it off," and does it contradict cosmetic surgeries to correct birth defects, if it is authentic?
No authenticated tradition has been found concerning Aisha's — may Allah be pleased with her — statement about skin peeling. However, Ibn al-Jawzi mentioned in "Ahkam al-Nisa'" (Rulings for Women) that Aisha was asked about skin peeling and she said: "If it is something she was born with, then it is not permissible for her, and I neither command nor forbid her. But if it is something that occurred later, then there is no harm; she intends to remove a facade that Allah has bestowed upon her face; I neither command nor forbid her."
Ibn al-Mulaqqin mentioned other narrations from Aisha that permit removing freckles and improving the face for the husband, such as her saying: "If it were on the face of my nieces, I would remove it, even if it were a single hair," and "If it is for the husband, then do it."
The narrations from Aisha regarding the issue of skin peeling vary; some prohibit it for adornment while others permit it for the husband or for removing an incidental defect.
The majority of contemporary scholars and the Islamic Fiqh Council have adopted the view that cosmetic surgeries are permissible for removing congenital or incidental defects that cause harm.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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