Tattoos and Body Piercings

The ancient practice of tattooing the skin is older than all accounts of recorded history.

From occurring in pre Islamic Egypt and Persia, to medieval Arabia, and many believe that the henna is the most ancient form of tattooing in the Arabic world. The word ‘henna’ is itself an Arabic word, pronounced ‘hinna’ and originating from the plant.

Henna tattoos are not permanent and do not require the cutting of the skin and mutilation of the body. The Quran makes no references to henna tattooing at all but the Hadith (stories and accounts of the Prophet Muhammad’s life) do contain references to henna, all of which total twenty two.

Permanent tattoos and references to the cutting of the skin do not appear in Quranic Scripture.

There is one verse in the Holy Quran however that does focus on the actions that Satan will undertake in order to mislead Muslims who pursue their physical desires. The connection between these physical desires and body tattoos may appear vague and unclear, but some Muslims believe that this just might be an insight to the indication of body modifications and the tattoo.

“And I will mislead them, and I will arouse them (sinful) desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ear of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah”.         (Quran 4:119)