What is the ruling on tattooing, especially given that a number of young Muslims resort to writing certain words on their arm or the back of their hand, such as the Name of Allah or the name of the Messenger
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : To summarize, the last question in this is: What is the ruling on tattooing? Especially since a number of young Muslims—this is the first time I have heard this—that a number of young Muslims resort to writing certain words on their arm or the back of their hand, such as the Name of Allah or the name of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), or specific symbols? And is it obligatory to remove it, or is it not obligatory?
I say: Up to this hour, I knew that tattooing was an old fashion, very, very old; therefore, the Messenger (peace be upon him) prohibited tattooing, and he went to great lengths in prohibiting it, especially for women who adopt tattooing as adornment for themselves. He said:Sahih al-Bukhari 5948. So, my knowledge up to this hour is that tattooing is an old fashion, but I do not know if the questioner means what he is saying. I mean, now there are some young people, especially Muslims, who write the Name of Allah, who write the name of their beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) on their arm or forearm? I was not aware of this.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner: ... this.
The Shaykh: Until now ... .
Another questioner: Until now it exists ... .
The Shaykh: And who is doing tattooing now?
The questioner: "Al-Nawwar," "Al-Nawwar."
The Shaykh: "Al-Nawwar."
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh: So the answer, regarding the first part of the question: Is it permissible? The answer: Of course, it is not permissible. The Messenger cursed the women who do it, and they are the ones who use it for adornment. Should not men be cursed a fortiori?!
As for whether it is obligatory to remove it?
The answer is: This should be discussed with some doctors. If the trace of the tattoo can be removed without harming the person who has it, then this is obligatory; because removing the trace of what is wrong is obligatory, and leaving it is another wrong. However, if removing it results in harm that befalls the person with this tattoo, then in that case, the tattoo remains as it is, and perhaps it will remind him of his sin, and consequently, this which reminds him of his sin will remind him to return to his Lord and seek His forgiveness for his sin.
And this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
I say: Up to this hour, I knew that tattooing was an old fashion, very, very old; therefore, the Messenger (peace be upon him) prohibited tattooing, and he went to great lengths in prohibiting it, especially for women who adopt tattooing as adornment for themselves. He said:
Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those who get it done for themselves
لعن الله الواشمات والمستوشماتThe questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner: ... this.
The Shaykh: Until now ... .
Another questioner: Until now it exists ... .
The Shaykh: And who is doing tattooing now?
The questioner: "Al-Nawwar," "Al-Nawwar."
The Shaykh: "Al-Nawwar."
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh: So the answer, regarding the first part of the question: Is it permissible? The answer: Of course, it is not permissible. The Messenger cursed the women who do it, and they are the ones who use it for adornment. Should not men be cursed a fortiori?!
As for whether it is obligatory to remove it?
The answer is: This should be discussed with some doctors. If the trace of the tattoo can be removed without harming the person who has it, then this is obligatory; because removing the trace of what is wrong is obligatory, and leaving it is another wrong. However, if removing it results in harm that befalls the person with this tattoo, then in that case, the tattoo remains as it is, and perhaps it will remind him of his sin, and consequently, this which reminds him of his sin will remind him to return to his Lord and seek His forgiveness for his sin.
And this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.