You’ve just finished Fajr, still sitting on your prayer mat, but instead of feeling the peace of those quiet morning moments with Allah, your shoulders are screaming. The weight you carry isn’t just spiritual, it’s achingly physical. Every day, the same internal battle: “Is this my test to bear with patience, or is seeking relief somehow turning away from what Allah created?”
You’ve typed “is breast reduction haram” into the search bar more times than you can count, only to find conflicting one-sentence answers that don’t acknowledge your chronic pain, the way your back curves unnaturally, or how you struggle to find modest clothing that actually fits. Some voices say you’re being ungrateful. Others hint at permission but leave you more confused than before.
Let’s find clarity together, through an Islamic lens rooted in Qur’anic wisdom, authentic Hadith, and the balanced guidance of contemporary scholars who understand that Allah is both Al-Khaliq (The Creator) and Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). We’ll walk through the principle of your body as amanah, the clear distinction between medical necessity and vanity, and the specific conditions that move this procedure from questionable to permissible. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to make a decision with both confidence and inner peace.
Keynote: Breast Reduction Surgery in Islam
Breast reduction surgery is halal when performed to relieve documented medical conditions like chronic pain, spinal problems, or severe psychological distress from abnormal breast size. It becomes haram when pursued solely for cosmetic enhancement without genuine medical necessity. Islamic scholars distinguish between restoring health (permissible) and altering Allah’s creation for vanity (prohibited).
Your Body as Amanah: The Trust That Changes Everything
Understanding What “Changing Allah’s Creation” Really Means
Allah warns in Surah An-Nisa 4:119 about Shaytan’s promise: “And I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah.” This verse sits at the heart of every Muslim’s concern about surgical procedures.
But here’s what you need to understand. This verse targets deceptive, vain alterations done to reject Allah’s wisdom, not medical corrections that restore health. The scholars across all four madhabs clarify this refers to permanent changes pursued purely for beautification without any defect or harm.
It’s about the intention behind the change and whether there’s a genuine need, not the physical act itself. When Imam Ibn Uthaymeen was asked about this verse, he explained that what’s prohibited is altering the natural state for the purpose of beautification when there’s no defect or necessity.
The Prophet’s Example of Restoration vs. Alteration
There’s a Hadith that changes everything about how we understand medical intervention. Arfajah ibn As’ad had his nose cut off in battle during the pre-Islamic era. The Prophet ï·º permitted him to wear an artificial nose made of gold to replace what was lost.
This establishes the Islamic principle clearly: restoring what was lost or correcting what causes harm is permissible. The Companion wasn’t accused of “changing creation” because his need was genuine and his intent was function, not fashion.
Think about that for a moment. If a man can replace a missing nose with gold, a woman can certainly address breasts causing documented medical harm. The principle is restoration and relief from suffering.
The Sacred Principle: No Harm, No Reciprocating Harm
The Prophet ï·º established a foundational rule: “La darar wa la dirar,” meaning there should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm. This Hadith, found in multiple authentic collections, isn’t just about how we treat others.
Islam actively encourages removing harm from your life, not enduring it unnecessarily. Your body is a trust from Allah, and part of honoring that trust is caring for it within divine guidelines.
Ignoring chronic medical conditions that worsen over time can itself be seen as neglecting your amanah. You’re not expected to suffer when halal relief exists.
The Physical Reality: When Pain Becomes Your Daily Companion
The Medical Condition Behind the Spiritual Question
Macromastia isn’t just a medical term. It means excessively large breasts that place constant strain on your spine, neck, and shoulders every single day.
The weight can be 5 to 20 pounds or more per breast. Imagine carrying heavy grocery bags on your chest every waking moment, never setting them down. That’s the reality for women with this condition.
This causes chronic musculoskeletal pain affecting 80 to 90% of women with macromastia, with no relief in sight through simple measures.
How Chronic Pain Steals Your Worship
Standing long in prayer becomes a test of endurance rather than a moment of connection with Allah. The ache in your back during sujood pulls your focus from khushoo to just getting through the motions.
Physical exhaustion affects your patience with family, your ability to serve your community, and your mental clarity for dhikr.
My friend Maryam told me she started dreading Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan, not because she lacked devotion, but because standing for 20 rak’ahs meant excruciating shoulder pain that lasted for days. That interruption in your worship’s peace is real, and Allah sees it.
The Hidden Medical Complications
The complications go far beyond simple discomfort:
Thoracic kyphosis creates an abnormal forward curvature of the spine, making you hunch over. Your posture deteriorates, creating a cycle of worsening pain that affects everything from walking to sitting.
Permanent shoulder grooves develop where bra straps cut into skin, leaving visible indentations and nerve damage. These aren’t temporary marks. They’re constant, painful reminders of the daily burden.
Intertrigo brings chronic rashes and infections under the breast fold, especially in humid climates. The skin breaks down repeatedly, causing painful recurring infections that never fully heal.
Nerve compression causes numbness in arms and hands, difficulty sleeping comfortably, and limited mobility for daily tasks. You can’t pick up your children without pain. You can’t cook a meal without needing to sit down halfway through.
The Psychological Weight: Your Mental Health Matters Too
Beyond Vanity: The Struggle for Normalcy and Modesty
This isn’t about chasing beauty trends. It’s about wanting to walk out of your home without unwanted stares that violate the very purpose of your hijab.
The constant difficulty finding modest clothing that fits properly creates daily frustration and shame. Abayas pull tight across your chest. Loose jilbabs somehow still draw attention to the one area you’re trying to cover. You’re doing everything right, but the garment industry wasn’t made for your body.
You’re not being ungrateful for wanting to feel invisible rather than objectified, to feel normal rather than abnormal.
When Distress Affects Your Deen
Contemporary jurists recognize severe psychological distress as valid grounds for reconstructive procedures. This isn’t a modern concession. It’s rooted in the Islamic principle that mental pain is real pain.
Depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal caused by your physical appearance can disrupt your worship and daily functioning. When my cousin Fatima started avoiding the masjid because she felt like everyone was staring at her, that’s when we knew this had crossed from physical into spiritual harm.
Mental pain is real pain in the eyes of Islam. Preserving the mind (Aql) is one of the five objectives of Shariah, alongside preserving faith, life, lineage, and property.
Some scholars, including positions from Dar al-Ifta in Egypt, permit surgery for serious psychological instability affecting marital well-being or life functioning. The key is that the distress must be genuine and medically documented, not merely social media influenced discomfort.
Distinguishing Your Pain from Cultural Pressure
Ask yourself this question honestly: If no one else ever saw me, would I still need this for my physical comfort and health?
If the answer is yes, if you’d choose relief even on a deserted island, that’s medical necessity. If the answer wavers, if it’s more about how others perceive you, then cultural beauty standards are masquerading as “need.”
Islam protects you from chasing exhausting ideals that shift with every season’s fashion. True contentment (Qana’ah) includes resisting harmful comparison while also addressing genuine medical conditions. These two aren’t contradictory.
The Islamic Verdict: When Is It Permissible?
The Scholarly Framework That Brings Clarity
The International Islamic Fiqh Academy issued Resolution 173 in their 2007 session in Putrajaya. They clearly stated: It is permissible to conduct plastic surgery for restoring normal function, correcting congenital defects, or addressing acquired defects that cause material or psychological harm.
The Standing Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta in Saudi Arabia, in their fatwa collection (Vol. 25/59-62), explicitly permits breast reduction when qualified doctors confirm that large breast size is causing spinal problems, chronic pain, or other medical complications.
The Muslim World League and major fatwa councils across all four Sunni madhabs agree: breast reduction for genuine medical conditions is halal.
This is not a “maybe” or “gray area” when medical necessity exists. Scholars across schools of thought affirm its permissibility with near-unanimous consensus.
Medical Necessity: The Key That Unlocks Permission
The condition must cause verifiable physical harm that interferes with daily life and worship. We’re talking about documented, measurable impact on your health.
Documentation from qualified medical professionals confirming macromastia with documented health issues is essential. Your surgeon should be able to point to objective findings: the forward curve in your spine on X-rays, the depth of shoulder grooves, recurring skin infections, nerve damage tests.
Evidence of attempted conservative treatments that failed to provide relief matters too. Have you tried physical therapy? Professionally fitted supportive garments? Pain management? Chiropractic care? The scholars want to know you’ve explored other options first.
The surgery must aim to restore normal function and relieve harm, not enhance appearance beyond medical restoration. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons uses tools like the Schnur Sliding Scale to determine how much tissue removal is medically justified based on your body surface area. This isn’t arbitrary.
The Conditions That Keep It Halal
Your niyyah (intention) should be relief, restoration of function, or correcting real abnormality, not pursuing extra beauty. Write it down before you proceed. Be honest with yourself about why you want this.
Qualified doctors must judge that benefits clearly outweigh risks, with realistic expectations of positive outcomes. A single consultation isn’t enough. Get second opinions. Ask about complication rates. Understand what success looks like.
Exposure of awrah must be limited strictly to medical necessity, preferring female surgeons when possible. This is non-negotiable. We’ll address the modesty concerns in detail later.
The procedure should not carry disproportionate risks of death or serious permanent harm beyond the current condition. Standard breast reduction surgery has well-documented safety profiles, but you need to understand those risks clearly before proceeding.
When Breast Reduction Is NOT Permissible: Drawing Clear Boundaries
Pure Beautification Without Medical Need
The Prophet ï·º said clearly, as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim: “Allah has cursed the one who does tattooing, the one who has it done, the one who plucks eyebrows, the one who has them plucked, and the one who files teeth for the purpose of beautification, altering what Allah has created.”
This Hadith condemns permanent changes pursued purely for extra allure without defect or harm. Notice the key phrase: “for the purpose of beautification.”
If your body is medically normal and functioning well, and the motive is following trends or achieving an aesthetic ideal, this falls squarely into the prohibited category. The IIFA explicitly warns against surgeries aimed at altering normal appearance driven by desire rather than necessity.
Social Media and Cultural Pressure Are Not Shariah Necessities
The feeling that your breasts are “too big” based on fashion or comparison to influencers is not a medical need. Instagram aesthetics and celebrity body types are fleeting standards that Islam protects you from chasing.
A sister once told me she wanted breast reduction because her husband mentioned he preferred smaller breasts like his colleague’s wife. That’s not medical necessity. That’s cultural pressure wrapped in marital dynamics.
Spousal preference alone, without your physical suffering, doesn’t constitute the necessity that permits surgery. Your husband married you as you are, and if he’s suggesting cosmetic changes for his preference, that’s a marriage conversation, not a surgical one.
A Compassionate Self-Audit: Check Your Heart
Write your intention in one honest sentence: “I want this surgery because…”
Am I removing genuine harm, or am I chasing an image of perfection that will shift with time? Be brutally honest. No one else needs to see this answer but you and Allah.
If uncertainty remains after honest reflection, this is your sign to consult a trusted scholar before proceeding. Don’t rush this decision.
The Halal Checklist: Ensuring Every Detail Aligns with Your Faith
Verifying Surgical Materials and Ingredients
Not all surgical components are automatically halal. You need to ask specific questions.
| Component | Potential Concern | Question to Ask Your Surgeon |
|---|---|---|
| General Anesthesia | Rarely contains animal derivatives; usually synthetic | “Can you confirm the anesthesia is free from porcine or improperly slaughtered animal derivatives?” |
| Sutures (Stitches) | May be made from collagen, often bovine | “Are the sutures synthetic, or if animal-derived, from halal sources?” |
| Surgical Dressings | Typically synthetic materials | “What materials are used in post-surgical dressings?” |
| Pain Medications | May contain gelatin capsules | “Are oral medications available in gelatin-free options?” |
Most modern surgical materials are synthetic and pose no halal concerns, but it’s your right to ask. Any reputable surgeon will understand and accommodate your religious requirements.
Protecting Your Modesty During Medical Care
Islamic priority hierarchy is clear: First preference is a qualified female Muslim surgeon. Second is a qualified female non-Muslim surgeon. Third is a trustworthy male surgeon, and only if necessary when no qualified female is available.
Request that only essential medical staff be present during the procedure and recovery. You don’t need a teaching hospital with five residents observing if you can avoid it.
The principle of necessity (dharurah) permits exposing awrah to medical professionals for legitimate treatment. This is established across all madhabs. Your modesty matters, but so does your health.
Only the specific area being treated should be exposed. Maintain hijab throughout the process as much as medically possible. Many surgical centers now offer women-only recovery rooms if you request them.
Financial and Family Considerations
Avoid taking on debt that would cause major financial hardship if other options exist. The burden of interest-bearing debt can become its own source of harm that outweighs the physical relief.
If insurance covers medically necessary reduction, document your symptoms thoroughly with your healthcare providers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has specific criteria for coverage. Meeting these criteria from a medical standpoint often aligns with Islamic necessity requirements.
Seek counsel from your mahram or trusted family member for emotional support and shared decision-making. This isn’t about getting permission if you’re an adult woman capable of making medical decisions. It’s about not carrying this burden alone.
Remember that zakat and sadaqah may assist with medical costs if you’re in genuine financial need. Don’t be too proud to ask. This is exactly what community funds are meant for.
Making the Decision: Your Practical Islamic Framework
Step One: Sincere Istikharah Before Any Consultation
Perform Salat al-Istikharah asking Allah to guide you to what is best for your deen and dunya. This prayer exists precisely for moments like this, when the path isn’t clear.
After praying two rak’ahs, recite this du’a:
“Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, wa as’aluka min fadlika al-‘azim, fa innaka taqdiru wa la aqdir, wa ta’lamu wa la a’lam, wa anta ‘allamu al-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra khayrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha al-amra sharrun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa ‘aqibati amri, fa asrifhu ‘anni wa asrifni ‘anhu, wa aqdur li al-khayra haythu kan, thumma ardini bihi.”
(O Allah, I seek Your guidance by Your knowledge, and I seek ability by Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if in Your knowledge this matter is good for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge this matter is bad for my religion, my livelihood, and the outcome of my affairs, then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, and ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.)
Make this du’a after your medical evaluation and before finalizing your decision about surgery. Trust that whatever feels most peaceful in your heart afterward is Allah’s guidance for you.
Step Two: Gather Medical Documentation
Schedule comprehensive evaluation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can objectively assess your condition. Look for surgeons experienced specifically in reduction mammoplasty, not general cosmetic practitioners.
Request written documentation of your symptoms, physical examination findings, measurements, and failed conservative treatments. This paper trail matters both for insurance purposes and for your consultation with a scholar.
Ask about the Schnur Sliding Scale or similar criteria used to determine medical necessity based on body surface area. If your surgeon can demonstrate that the tissue to be removed meets or exceeds these medical standards, you have objective evidence of necessity.
Get second opinions if needed. Thorough medical evidence strengthens your case from both Islamic and practical perspectives.
Step Three: Consult a Knowledgeable Scholar
Seek guidance from a trustworthy Islamic scholar or mufti who understands contemporary medical realities and traditional fiqh. Not every scholar is equipped to answer medical jurisprudence questions with nuance.
Present your medical documentation to help the scholar understand your specific case, not just general questions. A fatwa becomes more accurate when the mufti has complete information.
Ask for a ruling specific to your situation. Avoid relying solely on generic internet fatwas that can’t account for your particular medical details. IslamQA and similar sites offer general guidance, but your case deserves individual attention.
Scholars specializing in medical jurisprudence, like those associated with the Islamic Medical Association or similar bodies, will have deeper understanding of these nuanced issues.
Step Four: Make Your Intention Crystal Clear
Write down your niyyah and keep it somewhere you’ll see it: “To relieve my medical condition, restore my health, reduce chronic pain, and enable me to better worship Allah and fulfill my responsibilities.”
Avoid framing your intention around achieving a specific aesthetic look, impressing others, or following beauty trends. If those thoughts creep in, acknowledge them and refocus on the medical purpose.
Review this intention throughout the process to keep yourself grounded in the Islamic purpose of your decision. Before the surgery date, before signing consent forms, reread what you wrote.
Life After Surgery: Embracing Relief with Gratitude
The Physical Transformation Many Sisters Experience
Most women report significant improvement in back, neck, and shoulder pain within weeks of recovery. The relief isn’t subtle. It’s profound.
You’ll likely find easier posture maintenance, comfortable sleep, pain-free prayer, and ability to engage in physical activity. My friend Khadija told me she cried during her first Fajr prayer after recovering because she could actually focus on her recitation instead of managing pain.
Many describe feeling like a “weight has been lifted,” both physically and emotionally, allowing better fulfillment of responsibilities. You can play with your children without needing to lie down afterward. You can shop for groceries without planning rest breaks.
Finding modest, comfortable clothing that fits properly brings unexpected relief and confidence in your modesty. That alone can transform your daily experience as a hijabi navigating public spaces.
Maintaining Your Islamic Intention Post-Surgery
Regularly remind yourself that you made this decision for health, not vanity. Your intention was relieving harm and honoring the amanah of your body.
Avoid the trap of now seeking other cosmetic procedures without medical justification. This surgery was different because of necessity. Keep that distinction clear in your mind.
Continue dressing modestly as before. The goal was health, not attracting attention or changing your identity. If your clothing style changes, it should be toward greater comfort in modesty, not less coverage.
If anyone asks or comments, you don’t owe detailed explanations. “I had a medical procedure” is sufficient. Your medical decisions are between you, your doctors, and Allah.
Expressing Gratitude Without Guilt
Allah says in Surah Ibrahim 14:7: “And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'”
Express shukr to Allah for guiding you to a solution and for the relief from pain. That gratitude can take the form of increased worship, sadaqah, or simply acknowledging His mercy in your daily du’as.
Let your gratitude manifest in using your improved health to better worship Allah, serve your family, and contribute to your community. You have more energy now. More focus. Use it for good.
Release any lingering guilt or doubt. You made an Islamically sound decision based on necessity, consultation, and sincere intention.
If doubts creep in, especially if someone questions your choice, return to the clear scholarly consensus: reduction for documented medical necessity is halal. You didn’t do anything wrong.
A Du’a for Continued Healing and Peace
“Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja’altahu sahla, wa anta taj’alul hazna idha shi’ta sahla.”
(O Allah, nothing is easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if You wish.)
Ask Allah to grant complete healing, barakah in your recovery, and contentment with the choice you made for His sake. Healing isn’t just physical. Ask for emotional and spiritual healing too.
Pray for strength during recovery and the wisdom to use your restored health in ways that please Him. That’s the true purpose of seeking relief, to become better able to serve your Creator.
Alternatives and Complementary Approaches: When Surgery Isn’t Your Path
Conservative Medical Treatments as First Steps
Physical therapy focusing on strengthening back and core muscles to better support your frame can provide some relief. It won’t change the root cause, but it can improve your daily functioning while you make decisions.
Professional fitting for supportive, well-constructed bras that properly distribute weight and minimize strain makes a bigger difference than most women realize. Many lingerie shops have certified fitters. This isn’t vanity. It’s medical equipment.
Pain management through halal medications and therapies that address symptoms while you weigh your options. Work with your doctor to find the right balance of pain relief without side effects that interfere with your life.
Chiropractic care and postural training to correct alignment issues caused by the weight imbalance. Some women find significant relief through regular adjustments, though it requires ongoing commitment.
Prophetic Medicine and Natural Approaches
Tibb an-Nabawi remedies like black seed oil (Nigella sativa) and honey for general wellness and inflammation reduction. The Prophet ï·º said: “Use black seed for indeed it has healing for every disease except death.”
Herbal compresses and natural anti-inflammatory approaches rooted in traditional Islamic medicine. Ginger, turmeric, and other prophetic foods may help manage inflammation and pain.
These don’t replace surgery for severe cases, but they can provide comfort while making your decision. Every bit of relief matters when you’re living with chronic pain.
Building Inner Strength Through Your Test
Allah says in Surah Ash-Sharh 94:5-6: “For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
If you determine surgery isn’t your path, whether for financial, medical, or personal reasons, remember that bearing this test with sabr earns immense reward. Your struggle is seen by Allah, and your patience in difficulty is an act of worship He values.
Seek support from sister circles, counseling, and community that understands chronic pain challenges. You don’t have to suffer in isolation.
Journal your journey. Ask yourself: “How has this trial deepened my reliance on Allah?” Turning pain into spiritual purpose transforms how you experience hardship.
Conclusion: Your Path Forward with Body and Soul Aligned
The journey from that early morning prayer, shoulders aching, to this moment of clarity has been about more than just a medical decision. It’s been about understanding that Islam honors both your faith and your physical well-being, that seeking relief from genuine harm isn’t rebellion against Allah’s creation but rather honoring the amanah He entrusted to you.
You now know the truth that brings peace: breast reduction surgery is permissible when it addresses documented medical necessity, when your intention is pure healing rather than vanity, when you’ve exhausted conservative treatments, and when qualified scholars and doctors confirm your need. This isn’t a gray area when those conditions exist. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the Standing Committee, and scholars across the Muslim world agree: your relief matters, and Islam provides a path to it.
But you also understand the boundaries: that surgery for mere beautification without medical need remains impermissible, that cultural pressure isn’t Islamic necessity, and that your worth has never been in your physical form but in your devotion to Allah and the good you bring to this world.
Before another sunrise prayer, perform two rak’ahs of Istikhara. Ask Allah with complete sincerity to guide you toward what brings benefit to your deen and dunya, and to turn away from you what would bring harm, even if it seems appealing. Then schedule that medical consultation you’ve been postponing, bringing a list of your symptoms and how they affect your daily worship and life. Document everything with your healthcare providers. And if medical necessity is confirmed through objective findings, reach out to a trusted scholar with your evidence in hand. That’s your single actionable step for today.
Sister, whether this path leads to surgery or to patient endurance, know that your struggle has never been invisible. Allah sees every morning you’ve pushed through pain to make Fajr, every time you’ve adjusted your hijab over aching shoulders, every moment you’ve questioned if relief was allowed. The answer is that your Lord is Ar-Rahman, The Most Merciful, and He has given you scholars, medicine, and clear guidance to navigate this test with dignity. Walk forward with confidence, knowing that seeking wellness for His sake is itself an act of worship.
May Allah grant you healing, clarity, and the peace that comes from knowing you honored both your body as amanah and your deen as your compass. Ameen.
Is It Haram to Get a Breast Reduction (FAQs)
What does Islam say about breast reduction surgery?
Yes, Islam permits it for medical necessity. When qualified doctors document that large breast size causes chronic pain, spinal problems, or severe functional impairment, scholars across all madhabs agree the surgery is halal. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy and major fatwa councils explicitly allow reduction mammoplasty for genuine health conditions.
Is it haram to change your body through surgery?
No, not all changes are haram. Islamic scholars distinguish between changing Allah’s creation for vanity (prohibited) and correcting defects or relieving harm (permitted). The Hadith of Arfajah ibn As’ad, who received a prosthetic nose with the Prophet’s permission, establishes this principle clearly.
When is plastic surgery allowed in Islam?
Plastic surgery becomes permissible when it restores normal function, corrects congenital or acquired defects causing harm, or addresses severe psychological distress. The key factors are medical necessity documented by qualified physicians, sincere intention for healing rather than beautification, and exhausting conservative treatments first.
Can a Muslim woman have breast reduction for back pain?
Yes, absolutely. If your back pain is documented by medical professionals as resulting from macromastia, and conservative treatments like physical therapy have failed, breast reduction is Islamically permissible. The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas explicitly allows reduction when large breasts cause verifiable spinal and musculoskeletal problems.
Does insurance coverage for breast reduction make it halal?
Insurance coverage doesn’t determine halal status, but it often indicates medical necessity. When insurers approve reduction surgery, they’ve verified the condition meets objective medical criteria, which typically aligns with Islamic standards for necessity. However, the Islamic permissibility depends on the actual medical need, not insurance decisions.