Egypt: Fatwa Permits Females to Have Permanent Tattoos (2024)

As a legal scholar specializing in Islamic jurisprudence and religious decrees, I am well-versed in the intricate details of the fatwa (religious decree) issued by the former Grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheik Ali Gomaa, on October 9, 2017. This fatwa, which allows women to have permanent inked tattoos while prohibiting the same for men, is a fascinating departure from the mainstream views held by many Sunni Islamic scholars.

The basis for the prohibition of tattoos, according to Sunni Islamic scholars, is rooted in the argument that tattooing the body mutilates it, changes God's creation, inflicts unnecessary pain, and introduces the possibility of infection. This perspective is supported by a speech attributed to Prophet Mohammed, as documented in the book Sahih Al-Bukhari. The Prophet is quoted as having cursed women who practice tattooing and those who seek to be tattooed.

Now, the uniqueness of Sheik Ali Gomaa's fatwa lies in its departure from these traditional views. He contends that permanent tattoos are permissible for women under Islamic law, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include ensuring that the drawing or removal of the tattoo does not cause bloodshed or unnecessary pain and that the tattoo serves as a means of female decoration and adornment.

Interestingly, the fatwa explicitly bans males from having tattoos, with Sheik Gomaa arguing that men with tattoos are imitating women, which he equates to forbidden practices in Islam such as a man putting on lipstick or nail polish.

To reinforce his fatwa, Sheik Ali Gomaa draws on a previous religious decree issued by the Egyptian Dar al Ifta, the government body responsible for issuing religious decrees. This earlier decree allows women to have tattoos as long as they are easily removable, emphasizing that the procedure should not cause unnecessary pain, bodily harm, or blood spillage. The decree also invokes Quranic verses describing women as naturally loving adornment.

In summary, this fatwa introduces a novel perspective on the permissibility of tattoos in Islam, challenging traditional views held by Sunni scholars. Sheik Ali Gomaa's reliance on both a previous decree from Dar al Ifta and Quranic verses adds depth to his argument, demonstrating a nuanced approach to interpreting Islamic law on this specific matter.

Now, let's delve into the specific concepts and terms mentioned in the article:

1. Fatwa: A legal opinion or decree issued by a qualified Islamic scholar on a specific issue.

2. Grand Mufti: The highest-ranking religious scholar in a particular country or region, responsible for issuing official religious decrees.

3. Sunni Islamic Scholars: Scholars who follow the Sunni branch of Islam, one of the major branches. They base their interpretations on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed and the consensus of the community.

4. Sahih Al-Bukhari: One of the most trusted collections of sayings (hadiths) of Prophet Mohammed in Sunni Islam.

5. Dar al Ifta: The government body in Egypt responsible for issuing religious decrees.

6. Quran: The holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Mohammed.

7. Adornment in Quran (Quran 43: 18): Reference to a specific Quranic verse describing women as naturally loving adornment.

These concepts collectively contribute to the understanding of the religious and legal nuances involved in the fatwa permitting permanent tattoos for women in Egypt.