What is the ruling on getting a permanent tattoo on the body? A person who has already got one — is removing it obligatory upon him? If he does not have the capacity for removal by laser etc., or there is fear of harm, what is the ruling? And what is the ruling on wudu and prayer with a tattoo?

Washm is that holes are made in the skin with a needle etc. and pigment (kohl, indigo, etc.) is filled into them, by which a permanent mark is formed on the body. This act is haram, and the curse has come upon the one who does it and the one who gets it done. It is narrated from 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that Allah cursed: "the women who tattoo and the women who get tattooed... who alter Allah's creation for the sake of beauty" (Sahih Bukhari: 5931; Sahih Muslim: 2125). Imam Ibn Qudamah, may Allah have mercy on him, transmitted in "al-Mughni" (1/94) the consensus of the scholars on its prohibition. This is altering Allah's creation, which the Qur'an has described as Satan's resolve: ﴿وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ﴾ (and I will command them, so they will surely alter Allah's creation) (Surah an-Nisa: 119). Therefore, getting a permanent tattoo of any shape, writing or design is not permissible, even if some religious word is written on it.

Firstly, sincere repentance is obligatory: remorse over the sin, a firm resolve for the future, and seeking Allah's forgiveness. As for removal, the detail is this: if it is possible to remove the tattoo without major harm and unbearable hardship (for example, modern laser treatment is available and affordable), an attempt should be made to remove it; but if there is fear that removal will leave an ugly scar or cause harm to the body, or he simply does not have the financial capacity, then repentance is sufficient and in this condition there is no sin upon him. Imam al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, has transmitted this very detail in "al-Majmu'": that where removal is possible through treatment, an attempt be made, and where removal is not possible without harm, there is no accountability after repentance. If there is a picture of a living being or an un-Islamic inscription on the tattoo, trying to remove it or at least cover it should in any case be given priority.

The pigment of a tattoo is beneath the skin; there is no layer on the surface of the skin that blocks water; therefore, by washing the tattooed place in the ordinary way, wudu and ghusl become valid, and prayers prayed in this condition are correct — neither is making them up obligatory, nor is removing the tattoo a condition for prayer, as the muftis have made explicit in this issue. However, if there is something stuck on top of the body (a sticker, a thick layer of colour, etc.) that prevents water from reaching the skin, it will be necessary to remove it before wudu — this ruling is for a layer, not for the inner pigment of a tattoo.

Applying henna is a well-known permissible adornment for women, because it is not a permanent alteration inside the skin but a temporary colour. In temporary tattoo-like stickers etc., although the reality of washm (needle and pigment entering the skin) is not found, using them as fashion and imitation, for the form and resemblance of a permanent tattoo, is also not appropriate; and removing every water-blocking layer before prayer and wudu will in any case remain obligatory.

Maqasid-based caution: The human body is a trust from Allah, and unnecessary alteration in His creation is against this trust. For one from whom this mistake has occurred, there is no path of despair: the door of repentance is open, and the Shariah has made him accountable only to that removable extent which is within his power — religion is ease, not throwing oneself into destruction.

Translated from the original Urdu fatwa.