Question:
Assalam alaykoum warahmatoullahi wabarakatouhou,
Dear Shaykh,
I have a problem. I am attained by an anatomical anomaly which doctors know as gynecomastia. Which is very disturbing for a man, and causing me a complex about my virility, since my childhood.
What should I do Sayyidi? Is there any dhikr or traditional medication for that? Is surgery halal in this case? Or should I just resign to the situation and accept it as an unchangeable qadar from Allah ‘Azza wa Jall?
It is also very disturbing as far as my view of all the important matters of life are influenced by this (marriage,…).
Alhamdoulillah Rabbi L’Alamîn,
I thank you very warmly,
Wassalamou alaykoum warahmatoullah.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Wa alaykum as Salam wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatu,
Gynecomastia is enlargement of the male breast. It is very common, and its incidence increases with age. By middle age, perhaps a third of men or more may have it. It is common with obesity and with a variety of other conditions. You should check with an endocrinologist to examine whether it is due to a serious cause. Depending on the cause, and the risks associated with it, the physician can weigh for you the risks and benefits of various treatment options. In Islam surgery is allowed only for genuine needs since every surgery has a risk of anesthesia, bleeding, infection, among other risks. That need can be defined for you by your trusted physician. Do not be shy or sad since this condition is very common. However, in the media it is usually only men without it that are portrayed with bare chests, the reality is very different!
Manhood is how much we can follow the most perfect man, Sayyidina Muhammad, Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam, in his mercy, benevolence, peace, justice, and so on. I would recommend you increase salawat (asking for Allah’s blessings) on him in your daily devotions. Insha-Allah you will reach peace of mind and happiness.
Dr. Hesham Bazaraa
