Tattooing - What about new types of tattoos

Assalamalaikum wa Rahmatullah, Mufti Sahab, a person has asked this in Darul Iftaa.  What does Islam say about those tattoos in which the colors are not entered in the body but through brush they are spread on the body.  For women, it might be Haraam as it involves exposing the body, but for men?  Is it Haraam for them as well? (end of question)

Huzur, I want to ask is it not like Mehndi?  If the tattoos are such that they do not prevent water from reaching the skin, then are they allowed?  I don?t think they are like stickers which create a layer on the skin.  Are they included in the ruling of Mehndi or not?


Walaikum Assalamalaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakutuhu. If the tattoo is such that it pierces the skin, then it is forbidden (Haraam) for both men and women as given in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2, Pg No. 805:

Translation:  Hadhrat Aun bin Juhifa (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates on the authority of his father that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has cursed the women who tattoos. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 5347)

The tattoo which prevents water from reaching the skin is not correct for both men and women.

If the tattoo does not prevent the water from reaching the skin, then as it is similar to tattooing, it is still not free of undesirability.  Thus, Muslim men and women should not use any type of tattoo.

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]