Why are tattoos not allowed in Islam?
Tattoos are not allowed in Islam due to various teachings found in the Qur'an and Hadith, which emphasize the importance of preserving the natural creation of Allah. According to Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: Allah cursed those who tattoo and those who have tattoos, those who remove hair from their eyebrows, and those who create spaces in their teeth to beautify themselves, changing the creation of Allah.
Sahih Muslim 37:181 This narration highlights the prohibition against altering one's body in a way that is seen as changing Allah's creation.
Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ reiterated this prohibition in several narrations. For example, Al-Kafi mentions that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: Tattooing, branding, creating raised scars, and slashing are cursed on the tongue of Muhammad.
Al-Kafi 3:1249 This further reinforces the view that such practices are not acceptable within the framework of Islamic teachings.
Both Sunni and Shia scholars interpret these teachings as a directive to avoid practices that alter one's natural state. In Sunni scholarship, as reflected in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, there is a strong emphasis on adhering to the natural creation that Allah has provided. In Shia scholarship, this is similarly reinforced through the teachings of the Imams, who stress the significance of maintaining the integrity of one's body as created by Allah.
For specific situations, it is always advisable to consult a qualified local scholar to gain clarity on the issue based on personal circumstances.
Sources
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Sahih Muslim 37:181
Sahih Muslim · Book 37, Hadith 181 · Narrated by Abdullah
Allah cursed those who tattoo and those who have tattoos, those who remove hair from their eyebrows, and those who create spaces in their teeth to beautify themselves, changing the creation of Allah. A woman from Bani Asad named Umm Ya'qub heard this and came to the Prophet (ﷺ). She said that she recites the Qur'an and asked about the curse on these women. Abdullah said: Why should I not curse those whom the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed while it is in the Book of Allah? She said: I have read the two tablets of the Mus'haf and have not found that. Abdullah replied: If you have read it, then it is there. Allah said, ‘And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it.’ She said: I see some of this about your wife now. He told her to go and look. She entered and found nothing, then told Abdullah, who said: Had this been so, we would not have united with her.
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Al-Kafi 3:1249
Al-Kafi · Book 3, Hadith 1249
He said, 'The people of Mecca, when they go out for pilgrimage, they shorten their prayers, and when they visit and return to their homes, they complete their prayers.' — OR — The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Tattooing, branding, creating raised scars, and slashing are cursed on the tongue of Muhammad."
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