Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing or get it done for themselves, and those who remove hair from their faces, and those who create spaces between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, such ladies as change the features created by Allah. Why then shall I not curse those whom Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has cursed and who are cursed in Allah's Book too?
Exegesis of the Prohibition
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 5943 addresses fundamental Islamic principles regarding the preservation of Allah's natural creation. The curse mentioned signifies Allah's severe displeasure and exclusion from divine mercy for those who deliberately alter His creation without legitimate cause.
Scholarly Analysis of Prohibited Acts
Tattooing (al-Washm): Classical scholars define this as permanently marking the skin with needles and ink, altering Allah's natural creation. This prohibition applies to both the practitioner and recipient, as both participate in the sinful alteration.
Facial Hair Removal (an-Namis): Scholars interpret this as plucking or removing eyebrows to reshape them, which constitutes changing Allah's creation. This differs from removing excessive facial hair for hygiene purposes, which is permitted.
Tooth Gap Creation (al-Mutafallijat): This refers to artificially creating gaps between teeth for beautification, a practice considered deceptive and an unnecessary alteration of natural creation.
Theological Foundations
The prohibition stems from the principle that humans are Allah's creation and trustees of their bodies. Altering creation without legitimate medical or religious necessity constitutes ingratitude toward the Creator and imitation of disbelieving cultures.
The reference to "cursed in Allah's Book" indicates this prohibition aligns with Quranic principles of preserving natural creation and avoiding deception, even if not explicitly mentioned in the Quran.
Exceptions and Context
Scholars note that medical necessities, such as reconstructive surgery after injury or disease, do not fall under this prohibition. The ruling specifically addresses cosmetic alterations pursued for mere beautification without legitimate need.
The companion's rhetorical question emphasizes that Muslims must align their judgments with what Allah and His Messenger have decreed, establishing that divine rulings take precedence over cultural practices or personal preferences.