Most-asked question

Are tattoos and body piercings permissible?

100 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, Azaadville, MUBZ). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“It is permissible for a female to pierce any part of her ears for the purpose of wearing jewellery, whether she has one or multiple piercings.”

Azaadville — Multiple Ear Piercings · 18 Jan 2025

“Tattooing is impermissible in Islam, whether it be of animate, or inanimate objects. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam cursed the person who tattoos, and the one upon whom it is done. Hence, one should totally refrain from tattooing due to the prohibition mentioned in the Hadith.”

Ibn Masood — Validity of Wudhu over a tattoo · 26 Sep 2023

“In principle, it is not permissible for women to pierce any part of her body other than her ears and nose. Piercing the belly button would be considered part of muthlah (mutilation), it would involve exposing the satr (private area between the naval and knees), as well as imitating the disbelievers, which are all prohibited.”

MUBZ — Belly Piercing · 13 Jun 2024

“It is permissible for women to get multiple earrings on condition: 1) The piercing is not an emulation of Kuffar. 2) The piercing does not cause physical and bodily harm.”

AskImam — Is it permissible for women to get multiple ear piercings? · 31 Mar 2021

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Water Reaching The Holes Of A Piercing During Ghusl Azaadville · 3 Apr 2026
  2. Water Entering Ear Piercings In Ghusl Ibn Masood · 11 Feb 2026
  3. Belly Piercing MUBZ · 13 Jun 2024
  4. Removing ear and nose piercing for Wudhu and Ghusl AskImam · 9 Nov 2023
  5. Ear, nose, tongue and navel piercings Mufti Online · 31 Jul 2021
  6. Permissible to pierce the navel and upper ear lobe? Jamiat KZN · 21 Oct 2015
  7. Multiple Ear Piercings Azaadville · 18 Jan 2025
  8. Validity of Wudhu over a tattoo Ibn Masood · 26 Sep 2023
  9. Is it necessary for women to wash the inside of the ear piercing when taking a Fardh Ghusl? AskImam · 4 Oct 2022
  10. Piercing the nose and ears Mufti Online · 18 Sep 2017
  11. Islamic Perspective on Tattoos? Jamiat KZN · 6 Sep 2013
  12. Body Piercings Azaadville · 16 Jun 2022
  13. Belly-piercing Ibn Masood · 19 Sep 2023
  14. Is it permissible for women to get multiple ear piercings? AskImam · 31 Mar 2021
  15. Tattoos Mufti Online · 28 Aug 2013

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