What is the ruling on leaving a tattoo on the body after finding out that it is haraam? Also what about leaving a gold tooth which a Muslim had done when he was unaware (of the ruling), but if he has it removed after knowing that it is haraam, it will leave a gap in his mouth?
Ruling on leaving a tattoo on the body or a gold tooth after finding out that it is haraam
Question: 9098
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
Please note that tattoos on the body are haraam, because it was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who makes hair extensions and the one who asks for that to be done, and the one who does tattoos and the one who asks for them to be done. If a Muslim does that when he is unaware of the fact that it is haraam, or that is done to him when he is a child, then he has to remove it when he comes to know that it is haraam. But if removing it is too difficult or will cause him harm, then it is sufficient for him to repent and seek forgiveness, and it will not matter if he leaves the mark on his body. With regard to having a gold tooth fitted when it is not needed, this is not permissible, because gold is haraam for men, unless there it is necessary for some valid reason. I understood from your question that you did that for the purpose of beautification, so you have to remove it. You can have it replaced with something else that is made of permissible material, other than gold. May Allaah help us all to do that which pleases Him. Wa’l-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah wa barakaatuhu.
Was this answer helpful?
Source:
Shaykh ‘Abd-Alazeez ibn Baaz