Question:
Assallamualaikum Shaykh Hisham
A lady friend requested your opinions. If a person has lots of tatoo on body, than convert to islam, what is islamic point of view about tatoos when she becomes muslim.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
The Prophet (s) said, al-islamu yajibu ma qablaha, “Islam takes what came before and erases it completely, as if you were newly born.” So since you made those tattos before you became Muslim Allah’s forgiveness will include that as well.
And if they are not a lot, it is up to you, there are some people who can remove them using a laser. For sure you might feel some pain, but it will be showing more piety and sincerity to do that. However, if you are not able to do that for any reason, when you converted Allah forgave you everything from your past.
Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani
