Question:

As-salaam `alaykum (Peace be upon you) Suhaib, I recently converted and I read a hadith (report of the words of the Prophet ﷺ, peace be upon him) that says cursed is the woman who gets a tattoo. I know shahada (declaration of faith) takes care of past sins but someone told me that I should get it removed. Does it matter whether I remove it or not?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum al-salaam (And upon you peace),

Hope you are well. A few things:

1) You do not have to remove your tattoo. What’s done is done and you are not held accountable for that, masha’Allah.

2) Don’t take this the wrong way; folks don’t need to know your pre-Islam business. Feel me? Keep these kind of things private – your family, folks who have converted that you trust and Imams that you know can keep things quiet (I’m more than happy to help anytime.) I’m not saying you posted this in your local masjid’s newsletter, I’m just saying don’t share things with others unless you really know them.

3) If you decide to marry a person, as the relationship moves forward, not in the beginning, you will need to tell him about your tattoo.

Hope you are well and feel free to ask anytime,

Suhaib