What is Tattoo?
A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The art of making tattoos is tattooing. Tattoos fall into three broad categories: purely decorative (with no specific meaning); symbolic (with a specific meaning pertinent to the wearer); and pictorial (a depicture of a specific person or item).
Tattoos and Islamic Perspective
Tattoos in Islam are generally considered to be forbidden. Despite its growing popularity, many Muslims believe that getting a tattoo is against the teachings of Islam and advise against it. Tattooing is seen as a form of changing the creation of Allah and is seen as an act of disobedience towards Allah and his Messenger. In some Islamic countries, it is even seen as an act of apostasy, punishable by the death penalty.
Reasons Why Muslims Avoid Tattoos
The main reason why Muslims avoid tattoos is because of the prohibition on changing the creation of Allah. According to Islamic teachings, Allah is the only one who has the right to create and alter the creation of Allah. As such, any act of body modification, such as tattoos, is seen as a form of disobedience towards Allah. Additionally, tattoos are seen as a form of adornment, which is also prohibited in Islam.
The Hadith and Tattoos
The Hadith, which are the sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad, are also used to support the view that tattoos are forbidden in Islam. There are several Hadith which prohibit any form of body modification. In one Hadith, the Prophet is reported to have said: “Allah has cursed the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done.” This is seen as a clear prohibition against tattoos in Islam.
The Quran and Tattoos
The Quran is the holy book of Islam and is the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims. The Quran does not explicitly mention any prohibition on tattoos. However, the Quran does prohibit any act of changing the creation of Allah, which could be interpreted as a prohibition on tattoos. Additionally, the Quran does not mention any form of adornment, which is another reason why many Muslims believe that tattoos are forbidden.
Tattoos and Islamic Scholars
Islamic scholars have generally been divided on the issue of tattoos. Some scholars argue that tattoos are forbidden in Islam, while others argue that they are permissible, as long as they are not done in a manner that is seen as disrespectful or blasphemous. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide, based on their own interpretation of Islamic teachings.
Tattoos and Permanent Marks
In Islam, permanent tattoos are generally seen as forbidden. However, some Muslims argue that temporary tattoos are permissible, as long as they do not involve any form of disrespect or blasphemy. Temporary tattoos can last for a few days or weeks, and are usually done using henna or semi-permanent dyes. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what is permissible for them.
Conclusion
Tattoos in Islam are generally seen as forbidden. This is due to the prohibition on changing the creation of Allah, and also due to the fact that tattoos are seen as a form of adornment. Although there are some Islamic scholars who argue that tattoos are permissible, it is ultimately up to the individual to decide what is permissible for them. Ultimately, it is important for Muslims to remember that any act of body modification should be done in a manner that is respectful and in accordance with Islamic teachings.