THE TRIBAL MARK by Saleem AbdulWahab - Waleemah

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October 05, 2018

THE TRIBAL MARK by Saleem AbdulWahab

Praises and adoration are due to All the mighty and overseer of all affairs, may He continue to bestow His mercy and blessing upon the Noble of mankind Muhammad – Solallahu Alihi Wasallam and entire household till the day of resurrection.

In Arabic, tribal mark is called washm (lit. tattooing). This was forbidden by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he cursed those who did it.


It was narrated in a saheeh report that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that he cursed the one who consumes riba (interest) and the one who pays it, and he cursed the one who does tattoos and the one who asks to be tattooed. There is no difference between tattoos on the face or on the hand or elsewhere. With regard to what has been done in the past as a result of ignorance, it is sufficient to repent for that. With regard to the future, after coming to know the ruling of Allaah, the Muslim must beware of that which Allaah has forbidden. This applies to both men and women.

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 (eyeliner) which used for adornment by women that is permitted by the scholars. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 5/393).  But base on the one that is not permanent, then it is not a tattoo as such and does not change the creation of Allaah.

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