السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
After research on the subject of ‘permanent make-up’, it becomes clear that permanent make-up is essentially a type of tattoo. The goal and purpose of permanent make-up may differ from that of traditional tattooing, but the procedure and final product is the same.
The definition of a tattoo is: A permanent mark or design made on the body by the introduction of pigment or dye through punctures in the skin.
Permanent make-up uses this procedure, depositing specially formulated coloured pigment via needles into the upper reticular layer of the dermis (below the skin), thereby permanently colouring it. Also, permanent make-up artists and beauticians who work in this field agree that permanent make-up, also known as derma pigmentation, micro pigmentation and cosmetic tattooing, is a specialized form of tattooing. So, every example of permanent makeup is a tattoo, but not all tattoos are permanent makeup.
As Muslims we must happily obey all the commandments of our Creator (Subhanhu wa taála) and His Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Tattooing in all its forms is forbidden in Islam, and there is a severe warning against tattooing in the following Hadeeth :
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْوَاشِمَاتِ وَالْمُوتَشِمَاتِ وَالْمُتَنَمِّصَاتِ وَالْمُتَفَلِّجَاتِ لِلْحُسْنِ الْمُغَيِّرَاتِ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ . فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ امْرَأَةً مِنْ بَنِى أَسَدٍ يُقَالُ لَهَا أُمُّ يَعْقُوبَ ، فَجَاءَتْ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِى أَنَّكَ لَعَنْتَ كَيْتَ وَكَيْتَ . فَقَالَ وَمَا لِى لاَ أَلْعَنُ مَنْ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – وَمَنْ هُوَ فِى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَتْ لَقَدْ قَرَأْتُ مَا بَيْنَ اللَّوْحَيْنِ فَمَا وَجَدْتُ فِيهِ مَا تَقُولُ . قَالَ لَئِنْ كُنْتِ قَرَأْتِيهِ لَقَدْ وَجَدْتِيهِ ، أَمَا قَرَأْتِ ( وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ) . قَالَتْ بَلَى . قَالَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ نَهَى عَنْهُ . الحديث
Abdullah ibn Masood (radhi Allahu anhu) said: “Allah Taála has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed and those who pluck their eyebrows and those who file their teeth for beauty, changing the features created by Allah”. Um Ya’qūb (radhi Allahu anha) said, “I have heard of you cursing such and such women?” Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) said: “Why should I not curse those who were cursed by Allah’s Messenger and are referred to in Allah’s Book?” She said to him: “I have read the whole Quran but I have not found such a thing. Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) said, “If you had read it (carefully) you would have found it. Did you not read: {And what Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) gives you take it and what he forbids you from, abstain from it}?” She replied “surely”. Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) said: “He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) forbade it”. (Bukhari, vol: 6, Hadeeth 4886)
Having permanent make-up done will not be permissible as it is tattooing, which is Haraam. You should look at a Halaal alternative or continue using normal make-up for your husband when the need arises. Bear patience and be thankful for the other innumerable bounties which Allah has bestowed on you and your family, Insha Allah, Allah Taála will bless and reward you immensely in this world and in the Akhira. May Allah give us all the Tawfeeq to be happy and contented with whatever has been destined for us. Aameen.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Khaleel Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
