No Botox for Malaysian Muslims

It’s final: Malaysian Muslims should learn to live with their wrinkles after the National Fatwa Council, the highest Islamic authority, ruled against the use of Botox.

Declaring the popular wrinkle remover as “haram” or unlawful, the Council said Botox could not be used for cosmetic purposes amidst fears that it contains prohibited substances, including those derived from pigs.

For Muslim Malays, eating pork or coming in contact with pigs is strictly forbidden, even more than drinking or adultery.

“Islamic law prohibits a Muslim from consuming alcohol, eating or drinking blood and its by-products, and eating the meat of a carnivore or omnivore, such as pork, monkeys, canines, and felines (piscivorous animals, however, are not considered carnivorous). Crab meat is also seen as prohibited by some but the majority of Muslims consider all shellfish (including crabs, lobsters, shrimp, crayfish, and all non-poisonous mollusks) to be ‘halal’ or lawful,” said the editors of Wikipedia.

The Council was also concerned about the proliferation of fake Botox products in the market, the reason why they couldn’t allow its use.

Council Chair Professor Datuk Shukor Husin told The New Straits Times, Malaysia’s largest newspaper, that the decision to ban Botox was reached after six months of deliberation wherein they studied reports from abroad and the fatwas in Middle Eastern countries, and consulted with local doctors.

Surprisingly, the Council allowed Botox to be used to treat cerebral palsy, muscle spasms, and migraines provided there are no other alternative medical treatments for these conditions.

“Some 60 percent of Malaysia’s 26 million population are Muslims but doctors quoted by the newspaper said only between 10 percent and a third of their customers are Muslim. Each Botox treatment in Malaysia costs up to 700 ringgit (£105),” according to the Guardian Unlimited.

While the Council’s decision is not legally binding, Muslims who don’t follow the ruling are said to be committing a sin. However, observers said that won’t stop wealthy Muslims from seeking Botox treatments abroad.

Considering the many benefits of Botox, Muslims are sure to miss a lot from not using this drug. However, there are other safer alternatives to this costly and risky wrinkle-fighter. One popular product is the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This powerful system combines the nourishing effects of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer and the muscle-relaxing Rejuvox night cream to give you healthy and younger-looking skin. Go to http://www.rejuvinol.com for details.