Why does Islam prohibit tattoos?

Question

My coworker who is Muslim told me it's against her religion to get a tattoo but was unable to provide an explanation. Can you?
Thank you.

Answer 1

Islam does not allow induviduals to damage their bodies. Muslims are not suppose to hurt themselves or others on purpose in any way and tatoo is considered to be a damaging process that is unnecessary for an individual. Also Muslims believe that God has created everyone perfect even though that perfection may not be understood by humans so in that case human has no right to change that for unnecessary reasons. But than again God is all forgiven

Answer 2

I'm not sure about Islam....but it is against the jewish religion as well. As are piercings. It has something to do with how you're supposed to leave the world as close as possible to how you came in. If memory serves, the orthodox Jews are not allowed to be organ donors for this reason. I'm also not sure if conservative, reform, or reconstructionist Jews have laws against this or not. I'm non-practising...and it's been a while since Hebrew School.

Answer 3

A lot of religions discourage tatoos. Judaism also. Mormons also. The body is sacred and tatoos are considered by some to deface the body. Additionally, tatoos can interfere with some medical procedures such as MRI's and many anasthesiologists will not give epidurals to labouring women with back tatoos.

Answer 4

In Islam a wasm or washm is forbidden (a tattoo). It has to do with modesty in appearance and includes the wearing of wigs and even filling teeth.

Tattoos are forbidden for Christians too, but Christians ignore the parts of the Bible they don't like and emphasize the parts they can use to condemn others.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28

Answer 5

I believe it may be because Islam is against images. Islam arose out of the Judaic faith. Prohibition against images is prevalent in the Old Testament.

Answer 6

Same reason Christians and Jews do? the Bible
Many people do not care what the Bible says they want to do it anyways; 2 Kings 17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger:
Tattoos are a heathen practice, as is piercing and causing pain to your body to please heathen Gods.2 Kings 21:2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Nehemiah 5:9 Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
Elijah dealt death to 400 prophets of God in a show down over who's God is the real God and look what these men did; I kings 18: 26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
Look how these men cut themselves with knives and hurt themselves just like these people into tattos and piercings.
Here is where Bible says not to Tattoo yourself but people do not believe the Bible; Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

Answer 7

Its a cultural sentiment.Hardcore christians believe that as well.In the era and cultural foundations which these religions were founded on it was considerd imoral to "mess with the temple" of god(your body).It was outlaws and "savages" whom were known to practice tattoing.Not like today when any joker can don a tat.Back then you had to back your **** up.

Answer 8

To prevent Idolatry.
Tatoos also represent an adoration of something else than Deity (God=Allah). Consider worship of Tatoos and Statues or stars or objects in the same category.
It may not make much sense to people because they wil ltell you they are not worhipping their tatoos. But the idea is more to eliminate the risk of adoration of that art. In a religious context, only God is to be adored and worshipped.

Answer 9

Ruling on tattooing in Islam Is tattooing permissible in Islam? Praise be to Allaah. Tattooing means to prick the skin with a needle and inject kohl or some other substance to change the skin colour to blue or green. This is haraam according to the consensus of the scholars. (al-Mughni 1/94) Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Allaah has cursed the women who do tattoos and the women who have this done, the women who pluck their eyebrows, and the women who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and change the creation of Allaah.” Agreed upon. Al-Lu’lu’ wa’l-Marjaan, part 2, p. 175 --- Are Tattoos Haram in Islam Are Tattoos Haram in Islam ? if not , which symbols are haram ? I know hurting the body on purpose is Haram , but if tattoo doesnt hurt the body , is it still Haram , can u please clear all that for me. Praise be to Allaah. Tattooing, in which the skin is pierced with a needle and a blue or other coloured dye is injected, is haraam in all forms, whether it causes pain or not, because it involves changing the creation of Allaah, and because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who does tattoos and the one for whom that is done. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “May Allaah curse the women who do tattoos and those for whom tattoos are done, those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification and alter the creation of Allaah.” (al-Bukhaari, al-Libaas, 5587; Muslim, al-Libaas, 5538). With regard to all these matters, the ahaadeeth testify that the one who does them is cursed and that they are major sins. There is some difference of scholarly opinion as to the reason why they are forbidden. It was said that it is because they are a form of deception, and it was said that it is because it is a way of changing the creation of Allaah, as Ibn Mas’ood said – which is more correct and also includes the first meaning. And it was suggested that what is forbidden is only that which is permanent, because that is changing the creation of Allaah; as for that which is not permanent, such as kohl which used for adornment by women, that is permitted by the scholars. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/393). So if what is referred to in the question is that which is not permanent, then it is not a tattoo as such and does not change the creation of Allaah. See question no. 8904. Islam Q&A

Answer 10

It is not allowed by the Jewish faith too. The body is a temple and can't be disfigured.

"You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28).

The TNIV bible states.
"Do not cut your bodies for the dead, or put tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28).

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Apostle said, 'The evil eye is a fact,' and he forbade tattooing.
http://www.answering-christianity.com/tattoos.htm