The Islamic Ruling on Tattoos
Translated
By
Abbas Abu Yahya
Part One
The Evidences
No. 1
Allaah Ta’ala said:
﴿ حَتَّى إِذَا مَا جَاءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ ﴾
《Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do. 》[Fusilat: 20]
The Ahadeeth
No. 2
From Abu Hurairah who said: the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam said:
«الْعَيْنُ حَقٌّ» وَنَهَى عَن الوشم.
‘The evil eye is true’ and he [The Prophet] prohibited tattoos.’
[Collected by Bukhari]
No. 3
From Abu Hurairah who said:
«نهى عن الوشم» .
‘The Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam prohibited tattoos.’
[Collected by Ahmad & graded Saheeh by Al-Albaani in Ghaytul Murram p. 97]
No. 4
From Ibn Umar RadhiAllaahu anhumma that the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam :
Cursed the woman who would wear hair extensions, the one who would request hair extensions, the one who would get tattoos and the one who would request tattoos.’
[Bukhari and Muslim]
No. 5
From Abu Hurairah RadhiAllaahu anhu who said that a female tattooist was brought to Umar and he asked:
‘I ask you for the sake of Allaah, did anyone of you hear anything about this from the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam?
Abu Hurairah said I stood up and said O leader of the believers, I heard him saying,
‘Do not get tattoos nor request tattoos.’
[Collected by Nisa’ee and authenticated by Al-Albaani]