Are Temporary Tattoos Haram for Women in Islam?

Question

Can a woman adorn herself with temporary tattoos that do not leave permanent traces and can be removed whenever she wishes?

Islamic Ruling on Permanent Tattoos

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and all those who follow him. To proceed:

The prohibited tattoo, for which the texts have warned against and cursed the one who does it, is the permanent tattoo. It is done by piercing the body with needles until blood flows, then filling the pierced area with kohl or other substances so that the skin acquires another color, such as green or similar. This also applies to modern cosmetic techniques that produce the same effect and permanence.

Tattoos have been used for beauty purposes, and sometimes linked to superstitions and false charms. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed tattoos could cure diseases and ward off the evil eye.

The prohibition of tattoos in this sense is unanimously agreed upon by scholars. Clear and authentic texts have been narrated, including:

Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah had cursed those women who tattooed and who have themselves tattooed, those who pluck hair from their faces and those who make spaces between their teeth for beautification changing what God has created. This news reached a woman of the tribe of Asad who was called Umm Ya'qub and she used to recite the Holy Qur'an. She came to him and said: What is this news that has reached me from you that you curse those women who tattooed and those women who have themselves tattooed, the women who pluck hair from their faces and who make spaces between their teeth for beautification changing what God has created? Thereupon Abdullah said: Should I not curse one upon whom Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) has invoked curse and that is in the Book also. Thereupon that woman said: I read the Qur'an from cover to cover, but I did not find that in it. whereupon he said: If you had read (thoroughly) you would have definitely found this in that (as) Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has said: “What Allah's Messenger brings for you accept that and what he has forbidden you, refrain from that.” That woman said: I find this thing in your wife even now. Thereupon he said: Go and see her. She reported: I went to the wife of Abdullah but found nothing of this sort in her. She came back to him and said: I have not seen anything. whereupon he said: Had there been anything like it in her, I would have never slept with her in the bed. (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“I would have never slept with her in the bed,” means we would not have accompanied her or stayed with her, rather we would have divorced her and parted ways. This was also mentioned by Imam Al-Nawawi.

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) explained: “The woman who tattoos is the one who pierces the skin with a needle or similar tool on the back of the hand, wrist, lip, or other body parts until blood flows. Then she fills that area with kohl or another substance so it turns green. Sometimes this is done in circles or patterns, whether small or large. The doer is called washimah, and the one done upon is mawshumah. If she requests it, she is mustawshimah. This is prohibited for the doer, the receiver, and the requester. If it is done on a little girl, the sin is upon the one who does it, not the girl herself, since she is not accountable at that time.

Our scholars said: the tattooed area becomes impure. If it can be removed by treatment, it must be removed. If removal requires cutting then it must be removed, unless it would likely cause harm, loss of limb, or disfigurement, then it is not required. In such a case, if seen, there is no sin after repentance. But if removal is possible without serious harm, it must be done, and delaying it is sinful. This applies to both men and women alike. And Allah Knows best.”

Ibn Hajar also said: “The tattoo is piercing the skin with a needle and filling it with kohl or another substance, so the place becomes green.”

Ruling on Temporary Body Decorations

As for temporary designs, whether with henna or other substances that leave only a temporary color and fade with time, this is not included in the prohibition of tattoos. In fact, the Sunnah encouraged women to beautify themselves with henna and recommended it. The only exception is when such drawings depict images of living beings, then it is prohibited but from that angle of tattooing itself.

Conditions for Permissibility of Temporary Tattoos

In summary, temporary decorations are allowed under the following conditions:

1.      The design must be temporary, disappearing naturally or removable, without permanence.

2.     The designs must not include symbols of distorted religions, corrupt beliefs, or deviant ideologies.

3.     They must not depict living beings.

4.     Such adornment must not be displayed to non-mahram men if applied on private areas of adornment.

5.     The dyes and materials used must not harm the skin.

6.     They must not imitate immoral or disbelieving women.

7.     They must not be applied on private areas if another woman will be applying them.

If these conditions are met, then such adornment is permissible and falls under the category of allowed decorations, not the forbidden permanent tattoo.

Imam Al-San`ani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Tattoos have been described in some hadiths as changing the creation of Allah. But henna and similar forms of dye are not included in this. And even if they were, they are excluded by consensus, because such practices existed during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and he even commanded women to dye their fingers with henna.”

Imam Al-Shawkani said: “This prohibition applies only to changes that are permanent. As for what is not permanent, such as kohl or other dyes, it is permissible, as was said by Imam Malik and others.”

And Allah knows best.

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Taken from fatawaalsawy.com