Why are Tattoos Haram?

[ayub]

Everything fun is prohibited in Islam.

[Gulalai]

Ruling of tattoos in Islam



Question :
Are Tattoos Haram in Islam ? if not , which symbols are haram ? I know hurting the body on purpose is Haram , but if tattoo doesn't hurt the body , is it still Haram , can u please clear all that for me.


Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

Tattooing, in which the skin is pierced with a needle and a blue or other coloured dye is injected, is haraam in all forms, whether it causes pain or not, because it involves changing the creation of Allaah, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who does tattoos and the one for whom that is done. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “May Allaah 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 Allaah.” (al-Bukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, al-Libaas, 5538).

With regard to all these matters, the ahaadeeth testify that the one who does them is cursed and that they are major sins. There is some difference of scholarly opinion as to the reason why they are forbidden. It was said that it is because they are a form of deception, and it was said that it is because it is a way of changing the creation of Allaah, as Ibn Mas’ood said – which is more correct and also includes the first meaning. And it was suggested that what is forbidden is only that which is permanent, because that is changing the creation of Allaah; as for that which is not permanent, such as kohl which used for adornment by women, that is permitted by the scholars. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/393).

So if what is referred to in the question is that which is not permanent, then it is not a tattoo as such and does not change the creation of Allaah. See question no. 8904.


Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)

[Mayana]

Your body is not yours, it's considered Amaanat - a trust. So you're not free to do with it what you want and modify it.

Ibn `Umar (Allah be pleased with him) relates that, “The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) cursed the one both the one who gets tattooed and the tattooer.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

SeekersGuidance - Tattoos: Impermissiblity, Ritual Ablution, & Leading Others in Prayer - SeekersGuidance Answers Blog

[PFgulalai]

I am sure my grandmothers will go still to heaven with their tattoos.God should be generous to forgive the mistake of their parents :P

[PFgulalai]

I have a question: If body mutilation is the reason, then I believe female genital mutilation (FGM) should be made Haram first (in real practice, not just theory) than tattoos and piercings. Why the practice still encouraged by Islam?

[Mayana]

Oh it's encouraged in Islam? I thought it was prohibited =/

[Saifullah]

gulalai you continue to make up your own stories, Islam is a religion and what muslims do may not always be in accordance with Islam. Such as seeing muslims drunk or muslims mutilating their genitals...that is not an Islamic practice but a cultural practice

[Master Khan]

that means make up is haraam aswell lol..you are changing your looks etc.

[Saifullah]

tatoo is permanent, it goes under your skin...whereas make up u wash it out

[شمله ور خراساني]

Everything fun is prohibited in Islam.

if your idea of fun is fornication, alcohol, drugs, killing people, stealing, harming yourself, tattoos, piercing etc. Then yes, they are all prohibted.

[شمله ور خراساني]

I have a question: If body mutilation is the reason, then I believe female genital mutilation (FGM) should be made Haram first (in real practice, not just theory) than tattoos and piercings. Why the practice still encouraged by Islam?

WHy do you have to lie? I know you dont fear god. But the fact that you lie is only affirming our belief that disbelievers have no morality. And therefore lie and do everything prohibited.

[Palwasha]

It is haram (prohibited) to tattoo our bodies:

Islam denounces excesses in beautifying oneself when it alters the physical features that Allah created him with. The Glorious Qur'an considers such alterations as inspired by Satan, who "...will command them (his devotees) to change what Allah has created...” (An-Nisa': 119)

Tattooing is one of those excesses. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have cursed the tattooer and the tattooed. (Reported by Muslim)

Tattooing permanently disfigures the face and other parts of the body with colored pigment and repulsive designs. Some Arabs, especially women, are in the habit of tattooing large areas of their bodies. People of certain religious sects tattoo pictures of their deities or religious rituals on their hands and chests. The pain and agony that the person experiences from the needles piercing skin add to these images. Because of all of this, both the tattooer and the one who is tattooed have been cursed.”

[Sheenka]

i've seen afghan women tattoo their eyebrows

[eusuphxai]

is piercing allowed? and where is the limit if it is?

[Roshina]

I have a question: If body mutilation is the reason, then I believe female genital mutilation (FGM) should be made Haram first (in real practice, not just theory) than tattoos and piercings. Why the practice still encouraged by Islam?

That's correct, Gulalai. Did you know that all four schools of thought (including my favorite - Hanafi!) ENCOURAGE female circumcision and deem it "honorable"? It's devastating!