[Q 698] Jaw Surgery and Shariah Ruling on Screws After Death

Question

If a person is not happy with their jaw — it’s not symmetrical and also causing a little problem whilst eating — can they get jaw surgery where small screws are used to align the jaw? Also, can you explain when a person dies with these screws in, what is the Shariah ruling?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

For straightening the teeth or jaws, a specific method is used in which wires are fixed. If someone has a problem with their teeth, they can undergo surgery in this manner.

Since removing these wires (or screws) after death would cause pain to the deceased, and it is not permissible to cause harm to the dead, if a person passes away with these in place, it is not allowed to remove them — they should remain as they are.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 15th August 2025