I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, (or the Prophet (ﷺ) said), "Allah has cursed the lady who practices tattooing and that who gets it done for herself, and also the lady who lengthens hair artificially and that who gets her hair lengthened artificially." The Prophet (ﷺ) has cursed such ladies.
Hadith Text and Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 5942, Book of Dress, contains a severe prohibition against specific feminine practices. The Prophet's (ﷺ) repeated curse indicates the gravity of these actions in Islamic law.
Scholarly Commentary on Tattooing
Tattooing (al-washm) involves permanently altering Allah's creation by inserting ink beneath the skin. Scholars consider this a form of deception and changing Allah's natural creation without necessity.
The curse applies to both the practitioner and recipient, establishing collective responsibility in sinful acts. This prohibition stems from the principle of preserving the natural human form as created by Allah.
Explanation of Hair Lengthening
Artificial hair extension (al-wasl) refers to attaching false hair or extensions to natural hair. Classical scholars explain this constitutes deception about one's true appearance and mimics the practices of immoral women.
Like tattooing, the curse encompasses both parties involved - the one who attaches the hair and the one who requests it - emphasizing the shared sin in such transactions.
Legal Rulings and Exceptions
The majority of classical scholars ruled these practices as haram (forbidden) based on this explicit curse. Some contemporary scholars permit temporary hair extensions for medical necessity like cancer patients.
The underlying wisdom includes avoiding deception in marriage, preserving natural creation, and distancing from practices associated with pre-Islamic ignorance.
Spiritual Implications
The divine curse mentioned indicates these actions incur Allah's wrath and distance from His mercy. Muslims should avoid such practices and advise others accordingly while maintaining proper Islamic manners.