Why is Tattoo Haram in Islam? Tattooing, which involves piercing the skin with a needle and injecting a colored dye, is prohibited in all forms, regardless of whether it hurts or not. This is because getting a tattoo entails altering Allah’s creation, and because Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed both the person getting the tattoo and the one getting it done for them. When Allah (SWT) has created us in perfect forms, why would we want to alter us? Everyone is beautiful in his/her own way. we should embrace ourselves, the way we are, the way Allah (SWT) created us. and we should not indulge in bodily modifications.
In this post, let us briefly discuss exactly why is Tattoo Haram in Islam. Lets first read some hadiths about tattoos in Islam:
Narrated Ibn Mas`ud:
Allah has cursed those women who practice tattooing or get it done for themselves, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who create spaces between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, such ladies as change the features created by Allah. Why then shall I not curse those whom Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) has cursed and who are cursed in Allah’s Book too?
Sahih al-Bukhari 5943
A similar message is given in Hadith Bukhari 5573,
It was narrated that ‘Abdullah said: “May Allah curse the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done, the Namisah and the Mutanamisah, and those have their teeth separated for the purpose of beautification, changing the creation of Allah.” News of that reached a woman of Banu Asad who was called Umm Ya’qub, who used to read the Qur’an. She came to him and said: “What is this that I have heard about you cursing the one who does tattoos and the one who . has a tattoo done, the Namisah and the Mutanamisah, and those have their teeth separated for the purpose of beautification, changing the creation of Allah?” ‘Abdullah said: “Why should I not curse those whom the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) cursed, when it is in the Book of Allah?” The woman said: “I have read the Mushaf (the Noble Qur’an) from cover to cover and I did not find it.” He said: “If you had read it you would have found it.” Allah says: ‘And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). The woman said: “I think that I would see something of that on your wife now.” He said: “Go and look.” So she entered upon the wife of ‘Abdullah and did not see anything. She came to him and said: “I did not see anything.” He said: “If that were the case, we would not live with her.”
Sahih Muslim Book – 37, Hadith – 5573
From these hadiths, we can conclude that tattoos are haram in Islam. It says very clearly that doing tattooing, practicing tattooing, or having a tattoo done on yourself, both are haram. and Allah (SWT) curses such people.
Why is Tattoo Haram in Islam?
All of these things are major sins, according to the hadith, and those who commit them are cursed. There are some differences of opinion among academics regarding the prohibition on tattoos.
It was asserted that this is the case both because they are a type of deception and because, as Ibn Mas’ood said—which is more accurate and also encompasses the first meaning—they are a means of altering Allah’s creation.
It was also asserted that the scholars agreed that the only things that are permissible are those that are not permanent, such as the use of kohl by women as an adornment because doing otherwise would alter Allah’s creation. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/393)
Therefore, if the item in question is something that is not permanent, it is not a tattoo in the traditional sense and does not alter Allah’s creation. For example, mehendi or henna or any temporary color, which is done on a temporary basis, then that is permissible. Obviously, the design should not contain any haram thing or image of an animal or human being. As long as it doesn’t break the law of Islamic shariah, it is permitted. But if you use permanent color/ dye to get a permanent tattoo, it is altering the creation of Allah (SWT) and it is totally haram.
Praying with Tattoos
It is prohibited to have a tattoo on one’s body in Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade this behavior and made it quite clear that it was forbidden. On the other hand, we observe certain Muslims who have tattoos on their hands or other body parts or Muslim reverts who had tattoos in their past life. Such a person may not have known that tattoos are forbidden or may not have given much thought to Islamic law at the time of getting his tattoo.
The issue is that a tattoo is irreversible. Once completed, removing it necessitates a time-consuming skin grafting procedure. Such a person does not have to undergo this process in order to get the tattoo removed.
In order to fulfill his obligation, he must really repent for having it and vow to never again have anything like it. He ought to ask for God’s forgiveness.
His pilgrimage and prayers are unquestionably valid. It must be kept in mind that true repentance removes all traces of sin. The tattoo’s impact is still visible on the person’s body, but because that person has expressed regret, no more action is necessary.
This was why is tattoo haram in Islam. Read more Islamic Blogs or follow us on social media for Islamic reminders.
