The Prophet (ﷺ) cursed the lady who practices tattooing and the one who gets herself tattooed, and one who eats (takes) Riba' (usury) and the one who gives it. And he prohibited taking the price of a dog, and the money earned by prostitution, and cursed the makers of pictures.
Exposition of the Prohibition
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (5347) contains multiple prohibitions established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), demonstrating the comprehensive nature of Islamic law in safeguarding society's moral and spiritual welfare.
Tattooing: Altering Allah's Creation
The curse upon both the practitioner and recipient of tattooing signifies the gravity of this act. Scholars explain that tattooing constitutes an unnecessary alteration of Allah's creation without legitimate medical reason, expressing dissatisfaction with divine decree and mimicking pagan practices.
Imam al-Nawawi states in his commentary: "The prohibition of tattooing is due to it being a means of changing Allah's creation and causing unnecessary pain, and because it was a practice of pre-Islamic ignorance."
Riba (Usury): Economic Injustice
The curse upon both the giver and taker of riba emphasizes its severe prohibition. Riba represents economic exploitation that destroys social solidarity and concentrates wealth unjustly. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah explains: "Riba corrupts wealth and society, creating enmity and hatred where brotherhood should prevail."
Prohibited Earnings
The prohibition of income from dog sales and prostitution reflects the Islamic principle that earnings must be from lawful (halal) sources. Dogs are generally considered impure in Islamic law, except for specific purposes like hunting or guarding. Prostitution represents the ultimate degradation of human dignity and family values.
Image-Making: Preserving Tawhid
The curse upon picture-makers serves to protect the doctrine of divine uniqueness (tawhid). Classical scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah explain that creating images of animate beings can lead to idolatry and represents an attempt to imitate Allah's creative power. Exceptions exist for educational purposes and necessity.
Wisdom Behind These Prohibitions
These rulings collectively preserve human dignity, protect religious purity, maintain economic justice, and safeguard social morality. They demonstrate Islam's comprehensive approach to building a righteous society where every aspect of life is governed by divine guidance.