The Book of Adornment - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5107

"I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] cursing Al-Mutanammisat, women who have their teeth separated, and women who have tattoos done, those who change the creation of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime."

Commentary on Al-Mutanammisat

Al-Mutanammisat refers to women who pluck facial hair or eyebrows to beautify themselves. The curse mentioned indicates the severe prohibition of such practices as they constitute altering Allah's creation without valid reason.

Scholars explain this prohibition applies to both the one who performs such acts and the one who requests them, as both participate in changing Allah's natural creation.

Commentary on Teeth Separation

This refers to the practice of creating gaps between teeth for beautification purposes, known as "tathleel." Scholars clarify this is prohibited as it involves unnecessarily damaging healthy teeth and altering Allah's creation.

The exception is when dental work is medically necessary to treat disease or correct genuine deformities that cause harm.

Commentary on Tattoos

Tattooing involves permanently inserting ink under the skin to create designs. The prohibition is absolute as it permanently alters the body and mimics the practices of pre-Islamic ignorance.

Scholars note the curse applies to both the tattoo artist and the person receiving the tattoo, as both cooperate in sin.

Theological Principle

The concluding phrase "those who change the creation of Allah" provides the overarching principle: Muslims must preserve the natural human form as created by Allah unless there is genuine medical necessity.

This hadith establishes that cosmetic alterations driven by vanity and imitation of corrupt cultures are forbidden, while treatments for genuine medical conditions remain permissible.