Ruling on Tattooing in Islam

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 Allah, and because the Prophet (pbuh) cursed the one who does tattoos and the one for whom that is done. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood (R.A) said: “May Allah 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 Allah.” (al-Bukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, al-Libaas, 5538)

Narrated Abu Huraira (R.A):

Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) said, “The evil eye is a fact,” and he forbade tattooing. Volume 7, Book 72, Number 827: Sahih Bukhari

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) :

The Prophet (pbuh) has cursed the lady who lengthens her hair artificially and the one who gets her hair lengthened, and also the lady who tattoos (herself or others) and the one who gets herself tattooed. Volume 7, Book 72, Number 823: Sahih Bukhari

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (R.A) :

I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, (or the Prophet said), “Allah has cursed the lady who practices tattooing and that who gets it done for herself, and also the lady who lengthens hair artificially and that who gets her hair lengthened artificially.” The Prophet has cursed such ladies. Volume 7, Book 72, Number 825: Sahih Bukhari

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 Allah, as Ibn Mas’ood (R.A) 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 Allah; 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).

Allah knows the best.