Expressing deep concern over the growing trend of tattooing among Muslim youth, prominent Deobandi cleric Maulana Qari Ishaq Gora has released a video message urging youngsters to refrain from what he described as a practice strictly prohibited in Islam.
Qari Gora, who serves as the patron of the Jamiat Dawatul Muslimeen, condemned the practice as a violation of Islamic Sharia and a distortion of the natural form created by Allah.
In his message, he said, “Getting a tattoo is haram in Islam. It amounts to altering the creation of Allah, which is clearly forbidden in the Quran and Hadith.” He lamented that in today’s society, tattooing has become fashionable among both young men and women, with little regard for its religious implications.
“Sadly, no one considers this a sin anymore. Instead, it is being promoted as a status symbol. This is a dangerous shift in values,” the cleric remarked.
Citing Islamic teachings, Qari Gora said the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had cursed those who inscribe designs on their bodies or seek to alter their physical appearance in ways that contravene the natural form given by God. “Such actions are not just culturally inappropriate; they are spiritually damaging,” he added. The cleric also issued a direct appeal to those who already have tattoos. “Those who have undergone tattooing should repent sincerely, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and if possible, have them removed. For those considering it in the future, I urge them to abandon the thought and seek guidance through prayer.” Concluding his message, Qari Gora offered a heartfelt prayer: “May Allah Ta’ala grant us the correct understanding of our faith and the strength to follow the righteous path.”
His statement has sparked discussions within the local community, particularly among religious groups and families concerned about Western cultural influences on traditional Islamic values.
