The ancient traditions of the Prophet Muhammad prohibit tattoos. Therefore, based on these traditions, getting a tattoo is Haram. However, it can have other meanings as well. Let’s discover together in this article whether tattoos are Haram or not.

Is Tattooing Haram in Islam?

If we base ourselves on the hadiths, that is, the oral traditions transmitted by the Prophet Muhammad, tattoos are prohibited. Abu Juhayfah reported that: “The Prophet cursed those who tattooed themselves and those who got tattoos.” Thus, this prohibition is highly respected by Muslims, especially conservatives. However, more liberal Muslims, such as Sufis, for example, consider that this prohibition should only apply to tattoos of idols or people.

Furthermore, in other Muslim regions, tattooing is an ancient tradition. For instance, in the Arabian Peninsula, it is common to find married women tattooing their chin, forehead, around their eyes, etc. This tradition then spread to many regions. Men also get calligraphies or symbols related to their religion tattooed.

Tattoos are not perceived in the same way by all Muslims. Indeed, there are several Muslims with allegorical religious symbols tattooed on them. Therefore, if you want to get a tattoo, you should consult an Islamic scholar or a cleric to know what is Haram or not.

Why are tattoos not allowed?

Why are tattoos not allowed? For various reasons including:

• Tattoos alter Allah’s creation The Most High. Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the Earth belongs to Allah. Therefore, no one should alter, modify, add, or remove anything on their body. Furthermore, the creation of God is perfect.
• Satan uses this path to distance people from God in order to make them commit this prohibition. As Iblis said in Surah An Nissa, verse 119:

“Certainly will I mislead them and give them false hopes and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle and will command them so they will alter the creation of Allah.” And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allah has certainly sustained a clear loss.”

Thus, Muslims must stay away from this sin. Moreover, nowadays, we live in a society based on appearance and materialism. This not only applies to tattoos, but also extends to things like surgery, extensions, piercings (which are also Haram if done in certain parts of the body), etc.