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Is It Haram to Close a Gap Between Teeth?

26-10-2006

Question 82409

I have a large gap between my two front teeth and I want to close this gap (there is only one gap). Is this permissible or not?

Summary of answer:

A large gap between the teeth is an abnormality which some people are affected by. It is permissible to close a gap between the teeth and there is no sin in doing that

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Are cosmetic surgeries permissible?

The basic principle with regard to cosmetic procedures that are done to remove a fault or deformity is that they are permissible, because Islam is a religion of ease that aims to make things easy for people. 

`Arfajah ibn As’ad (may Allah be pleased with him) said: My nose was cut off on the day of al-Kulab during the Jahiliyyah (a famous battle) and I had a nose made of silver, but it began to smell bad, so the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told me to get a nose made of gold . (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1770)’ classed as hasan by al-Nawawi in al-Majmu’, 1/245, and by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi)

Types of beautification 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

Is composite bonding haram?

A large gap between the teeth is an abnormality which some people are affected by. It is permissible for one who has such a fault in his teeth, or other faults, to correct it, and there is no sin on him for doing that, in sha Allah. 

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim (13/107): 

“With regard to the phrase “women who file teeth ”, what is meant is doing that for the purpose of beautification. This indicates that that which is haram is that which is done for the purpose of beautification . But if there is a need for that for medical reasons or to correct a fault in the teeth etc., there is nothing wrong with that. And Allah knows best.” 

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas (24/75) was asked: If I have two teeth that are long, is it permissible for me to make them level with the other teeth? 

They replied: 

“If they are so long that they bother you, then you may remove that which is bothering you only.” 

We have explained that it is permissible to do operations on the teeth that will correct faults and abnormalities. Please see questions no. 1006  and 21255

And Allah knows best.

Medicine and medical treatments
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