Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
What are the rulings on body piercing and tattooing in Islam? I have seen many people get these done. Is it allowed?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
Islamicaly, body piercing is permissible for women provided:
- The piercing does not resemble that of the evil doers
- It does not negatively impact one’s health
Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, “The one who imitates a nation is amongst them.” (Abū Dāwūd)
Applying permanent tattoos in Islam is forbidden, as this entails altering and tampering with the natural way God has created us as humans, which is prohibited in the Qurʿān. (See: 4:119)
ʾAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd (may God be pleased with him) stated, “God’s curse is upon the one who applies tattoos [upon others] and those who seek tattoos.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
And Allāh Knows Best.
