What is the Ruling on Tattoos in Islam?

The Ruling on Tattoos in Islam

The majority of scholars have stated that tattoos are forbidden, based on the authentic hadith where the Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed both the tattoo artist and the one getting the tattoo. This hadith was narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: "Allah has cursed the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done".

Some scholars of the Maliki and Shafi'i schools consider tattoos one of the major sins that bring a curse upon the one who does them. However, some later Maliki scholars have opined that tattoos are disliked (makruh), not prohibited. Al-Nafrawi mentioned that the ruling of dislike (makruh) can be interpreted as prohibition.

Two exceptions to the prohibition of tattoos are mentioned by some scholars:

1. If the tattoo is for medical treatment, it is permissible to use it for healing purposes, as the principle in Islamic jurisprudence allows for prohibitions to be lifted in cases of necessity.
2. If a woman uses a tattoo for the purpose of beautifying herself for her husband, with his consent.

Types of Tattoos and Their Rulings

Permanent Tattoos: These involve pricking the skin with a needle and filling it with ink or another substance. The ruling on this is that it is prohibited.

Temporary Tattoos: This type is divided into two categories:

1. Long-lasting temporary tattoos: This includes procedures like coloring the lips, eyebrows, or fixing skin color imperfections using a sterilized needle. This type of tattoo lasts for up to three years and is called "dermography". The ruling on this is that it is prohibited, based on the Quranic verse (which refers to changing the creation of Allah), as well as the hadith: "Allah has cursed the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done".
2. Short-term temporary tattoos: Such as henna tattoos or stamping on the skin. The ruling on this is that it is allowed because it can be easily removed with water. Imam al-San'ani said that henna is not included in the prohibition because it was used in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he even recommended it for changing the whiteness of a woman's fingers, as seen in the story of Hind. However, stamping on the skin is disliked by some modern scholars because it resembles tattoos.

The Wisdom Behind the Prohibition of Tattoos

There are several opinions on why tattoos are prohibited:

1. Some scholars say tattoos cover up imperfections and are deceptive, as narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud who reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed those who altered their bodies to beautify themselves.
2. The majority of scholars argue that the wisdom behind the prohibition is to avoid changing the creation of Allah, as tattoos cause unnecessary harm to the body without necessity. This view is supported by the Quranic verse: "And I will surely mislead them and surely arouse in them false desires, and I will surely order them to slit the ears of the cattle, and I will surely order them to change the creation of Allah". The reference to "changing the creation of Allah" is understood to include tattooing, as supported by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and Hasan al-Basri.

Summary of the article: Scholars agree that tattoos are prohibited, with exceptions for necessity or beautifying for one's husband. There are different types of tattoos, including permanent tattoos, long-lasting temporary tattoos, and short-term tattoos, with rulings on each type. Temporary tattoos, like henna, are permissible.