Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those who remove their face hairs, and those who create a space between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, and such women as change the features created by Allah. Why then should I not curse those whom the Prophet (ﷺ) has cursed? And that is in Allah's Book. i.e. His Saying: 'And what the Apostle gives you take it and what he forbids you abstain (from it).' (59.7)
Hadith Commentary: Sahih al-Bukhari 5931
This narration from the Book of Dress in Sahih al-Bukhari addresses significant matters pertaining to women's adornment and the preservation of Allah's natural creation. The Prophet's curse upon those who engage in tattooing, facial hair removal, tooth gap creation, and feature alteration serves as a profound warning against altering Allah's creation without legitimate necessity.
Scholarly Interpretation
The prohibition of tattooing (al-washm) is established because it involves permanently changing Allah's creation and causing unnecessary pain. Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that the curse applies to both the practitioner and recipient because they collaborate in violating divine law.
Removing facial hairs (al-namisah) refers to plucking eyebrows to thin or reshape them, which constitutes deception and alteration of natural features. Scholars differentiate this from removing excessive facial hair that causes repulsion.
Creating gaps between teeth (al-mutanamisah) artificially for beautification is forbidden as it unnecessarily alters Allah's creation and may cause dental harm.
Legal Rulings and Exceptions
The majority of scholars consider these actions haram (forbidden) based on the explicit curse in the hadith. However, exceptions exist for medical necessity, such as removing a facial growth that poses health risks.
Modern cosmetic procedures fall under this prohibition if they permanently alter Allah's creation without legitimate need. Temporary adornments like henna are permissible as they don't permanently change creation.
Theological Foundation
The companion's reference to Quran 59:7 establishes the binding nature of prophetic prohibitions. As Imam al-Nawawi states, "What the Prophet forbids is equivalent to what Allah forbids." This demonstrates the integral connection between Quranic revelation and prophetic tradition in Islamic jurisprudence.