Ruling of Tattoos in Islam (Are Tattoos Haram in Islam)

Ruling of Tattoos in Islam (Are Tattoos Haram in Islam)
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A question often asked is "Are tattoos haram in in Islam ?"

The Answer is that permanent Tattoos are Haram in Islam and the Prophet of Allah has cursed the person who has tattoos done on them and the one on whom tattoos are done.

It is narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “May Allah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and alter the creation of Allah.”

(al-Bukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, al-Libaas, 5538).

It was narrated that Abu Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who does tattoos, the one who has a tattoo done, the one who consumes riba (usury or interest) and the one who pays it, and he forbade the price of a dog and the earnings of a prostitute, and he cursed the image-makers.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5032).

So having tattoos done and tattooing is a major sin. The reason for it being haram has not been given but some scholars believe that it may be because it is changing the creation of Allah.

The curse is not permanent but it is lifted when a person sincerely repents to Allah for this mistake. So one should not feel doomed because they committed this mistake when they were in days of Jahilia (ignorance).

As for things which are not permanent such as henna painting on women's hands , feet and so on, they are not regarded as tattoos and are allowed in Islam.

Many times I received e-mails from non Muslims wishing to become Muslim and from New Muslims who had tattoos done when they were not Muslim. A person can become a Muslim even if they have had tattoos done to them or if they were involved in tattooing. You can do not have to remove them in order to become a Muslim. You can pray, do wudhu and do all your Islamic duties even if you have tattoos. This is because Islam erases all sins that a non Muslim committed before he or she became a Muslim.

Allah says
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

[al-Furqaan 25:70]

It was narrated that ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas said: When Allah put Islam in my heart, I went to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: “Give me your right hand so that I may give you my oath of allegiance.” So he held out his hand, but I held my hand back. He said, “What is the matter, O ‘Amr?” I said, “I want to make a condition.” He said, “What is your condition?” I said, “That I be forgiven.” He said, “Do you not know that Islam wipes out whatever came before it, and that hijrah (migration for the sake of Allaa) wipes out whatever came before it, and that Hajj wipes out whatever came before it?”

(Narrated by Muslim, 121).

Are tattoos allowed in Islam?
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No they are not. Let us look at what Prophet Muhammad peace be upon commanded:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Yazid Al-Ansari: "The Prophet forbade robbery (taking away what belongs to others without their permission), and also forbade mutilation (or maiming) of bodies.

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Oppressions, Volume 3, Book 43, Number 654)"

The following several narrations of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him were sent to me by Omar; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him: -

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Apostle said, 'The evil eye is a fact,' and he forbade tattooing.

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Dress, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 827)"

Narrated 'Aun bin Abu Juhaifa: "My father bought a slave who practiced the profession of cupping. (My father broke the slave's instruments of cupping). I asked my father why he had done so. He replied, 'The Prophet forbade the acceptance of the price of a dog or blood, and also forbade the profession of tattooing, getting tattooed and receiving or giving Riba, (usury), and cursed the picture-makers.'

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Sales and Trade, Volume 3, Book 34, Number 299)"

Narrated 'Abdullah: "Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those who remove their face hairs, and those who create a space between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, and such women as change the features created by Allah. Why then should I not curse those whom the Prophet has cursed? And that is in Allah's Book. i.e. His Saying: 'And what the Apostle gives you take it and what he forbids you abstain (from it).' (59.7)

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Dress, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 815)"

As you can see, any type of body mutilation or maiming even if it were a small tattoo is clearly prohibited in Islam.

In Islam, we follow the laws of the Noble Quran, and the Sayings of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. If a situation or case is not addressed in neither the Noble Quran, or the Sayings of our beloved Prophet, then we follow the local verdicts of our Religious Authorities, where they would decide based upon the cultural and social situation and causes.

Allah Almighty said in the Noble Quran:

"O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Apostle, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to God and His Apostle, if ye do believe in God and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.

(The Noble Quran, 4:59)"

"When there comes to them some matter touching (Public) safety or fear, they divulge it. If they had only referred it to the Apostle, or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have Tested it from them (direct). Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of God unto you, all but a few of you would have fallen into the clutches of Satan.

(The Noble Quran, 4:83)"

So according to the Noble Verses above, it is a must for us to follow the commands of our beloved Prophet peace be upon him, thus in this case, mutilation or maiming of any type to the human body and tattooing are prohibited.

Its is also allowed to remove tattoos using modern medicine such as laser surgery. —