Must tattoos be removed?
Posted by fatwa on May 14, 2011 in Actions Regarding Wudu, Featured, Impure Substances (Najasat), Other Issues, Taharah | 5 comments
Question:
As salaamu alaykum, I would like to know how tattoos may affect the salah. Does the tattoo make the salah deficient? If done after accepting Islam versus before shahadah? What measures need to be taken to rectify this sin?
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
Tattoos are haram.
Removing tattoos is obligatory, unless one fears a harm that would warrant dry ablution [tayammum]. If one was a Muslim when they got the tattoo, then they must repent. If one embraced Islam with a tattoo, then past sins were wiped away upon accepting the din; accordingly, the sin of tattooing is forgiven. Still, when no harm is feared, a person who embraces Islam with tattoos, and likewise the one who got a tattoo while Muslim, must remove them. If harm is feared, then one does not need to do so. (al-Fatawa al-Kubra al-Fiqhiyyah v. 1, p. 164; Mughni al-Muhtaj v. 1, p. 406)
Shabramallisi did not necessarily exclude one who embraces Islam with tattoos. (Hashiyat al-Nihayah v. 2, p. 22-23) In fact, he stated,
وأما الكافر إذا وشم نفسه في الشرك ثم أسلم فالمتجه وجوب الكشط عليه بعد الإسلام
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.
As salamu alaykum wa rahmatuLlah wa barakatuHu,
After receiving questions/comments on whether or not current tattooing procedures apply here, the following may be noted:
A tattoo gun operates by ink and needle going back and forth puncturing the skin, like a sewing machine. Skin is made up of three layers. They are: 1) the scaly layer, 2) the epidermis layer, and 3) the dermis layer. In the dermis layer, there are capillaries, blood vessels, etc. [1] Tattoo guns are designed to puncture into the dermis layer. Thus, it is inevitable that ink and needle, as they plunge back and forth, are going to come into contact with blood. It is for this very reason that health organizations issue guidelines for tattoo artists, such as using fresh needles for every customer. The guidelines are meant to prevent the spread of blood-born illnesses, like Hepatitis and HIV. [2] Tattoo experts state that blood can be expected during the procedure. [3] For further details on how tattoo guns work see: [4].
Here, the basis of the ruling is extracted from using impure bones as a splint. [5] And the ruling is:
وجب نزعه إن لم يخف الهلاك ولا تلف عضو ولا شيئا من المحذورات المذكورة في باب التيمم
From here, comparable scenarios are found, for instance:
1) Tattooing الوشم,
2) Puncturing the skin and placing blood in the puncture لو شق موضعا من بدنه وجعل فيه دما.
The ruling’s underlying reason is identified as, carrying an impurity. In these scenarios, the tafsil found in using a splint from impure bones applies; as Imam Ramli noted: ففيه تفصيل الجبر. [6]
Regarding the tafsil, Imam Nawawi addressed some significant points. One of those points is, whether or not there is a difference when flesh covers it? The explanation indicates to there being no difference [7]:
ولا فرق بين أن يكتسي اللحم أو لا يكتسيه
In the same way, Ibn al-Rif’ah related [8]:
أن الشافعي نص على أنه لو جبر عظمه بعظم خنزير أو ميتة أو كلب والتحم الجرح وثبت اللحم والجلد على أنه عليه شق الجلد وإتلاف اللحم واستخراج العظم لاستحقاق إزالة النجاسة
Following the above statement, Imam Nawawi mentioned [9]:
وكذا لو شق موضعا من بدنه وجعل فيه دما وكذا لو وشم يده بالعظام أو غيرها فانه ينجس عند الغرز
The underlying reason for excusing one from removing the impurity is: fearing a significant harm; moreover, not whether or not the impurity is above or beneath the skin.
In the tattoo process, needle and ink repetitiously puncture the skin; by this means, contamination with blood occurs. This is comparable to two situations: 1) tattooing الوشم and 2) puncturing the skin and placing blood in the puncture. Therefore, it is necessary that tattoos are removed, unless a harm which warrants tayammum is feared.
With that it is noted, Abu Hanifa and Malik opined that what is under the flesh does not need be removed; Imam al-Haramayn and his student Imam Ghazzali inclined towards this opinion. [10] Perhaps, this difference provides an individual some latitude.
Again, if removing a tattoo will cause significant harm, then one is excused.
And Allah knows best.
References:
[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin.
[2]: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020.
[3] http://www.videojug.com/expertanswer/getting-a-tattoo-2/does-a-tattoo-needle-cause-bleeding and http://www.tattooequipmentonline.com/how-to-bandage-a-tattoo and http://www.tattoobin.com/our_company/resources.asp.
[4]: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bodyart/tattoo-faq/part8/section-5.html.
[5]: Rawdat al-Talibin v. 1, p. 275.
[6]: Nihayat al-Muhtaj v. 2, p. 23.
[7]: Rawdat al-Talibin v. 1, p. 275.
[8]: Kifayat al-Nabih v. 2, p. 515. Citing ‘Imrani; moreover, nass from al-Shafi’i.
[9]: Rawdat al-Talibin v. 1, p. 276.
[10]: Nihayat al-Matlab v. 2, p. 315; Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 2, p. 102.
As salamu alaykum,
Sayyid Muhammad al-Jurdani mentioned that one’s tattoo is excused if he got it when: 1) pre-pubescent, 2) insane, 3) under duress, 4) ignorant of its unlawful nature, or 5) removing it would warrant tayammum. (Fath al-‘Allam v. 1, p. 360)
And Allah knows best.
i have a few tattoos and i have gotten them before embracing Islam, i have my childs fathers name twice, i am planning to marry InshAllah but i don’t want my future husband InshAllah to know about my tattoos, can i remove them for the sake of Allah swt and to not disappoint my future husband InshAllah with the names on my body even though my sins are forgiven by Allah swt InshAllah..???
Yes Laila,
You can remove it, though such is not obligatory in your situation.
Assalamualaikum
I currently have a tattoo which I got 4 years ago when I was 15. At that time, i was ignorant to the teachings of Islam and now i truly regret it. I would like to get it removed but there are several problems. Firstly, my parents till now do not know about it and i would not like to inform them as it would crush their hearts. Secondly, I do not have the funds for the removal. Thirdly, I have seen videos of tattoo removal being done and it looks excruciatingly painful. I feel like im not entirely ready to go through the process of tattoo removal but i feel ashamed everytime i see my tattoo. I would like to know what to do.
Thank you for any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.