Do I have to remove my tattoos after becoming Muslim?
No. You don't have to remove tattoos you got before Islam. Getting a new tattoo is not allowed, but Islam wipes out what came before it, and most scholars say you shouldn't put yourself through painful or costly removal. Your wudu, ghusl and prayers are valid with them.
Getting tattoos is not allowed
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Allah has cursed the woman "who tattoos (herself or someone else) or gets herself tattooed" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5937). Scholars apply this to men and women alike, so from now on, no new tattoos.
But that ruling is about doing it now, as a Muslim. You got your tattoos before you knew any of this.
Islam wipes the slate clean
When the companion Amr ibn al-As hesitated before accepting Islam, worried about his past, the Prophet ﷺ told him: "Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all the previous (misdeeds)?" (Sahih Muslim 121). That includes the ink on your arm. You'll find more on this in Are all my sins forgiven when I become Muslim?
Should you get them removed?
Most scholars say you don't have to. Laser removal can be painful, expensive and take many sessions, and Islam doesn't ask you to harm yourself to fix something already forgiven. Some scholars say that if removal is easy and safe, it's better to do it. Either way, it's your choice, not a condition of being Muslim.
The one exception many scholars mention: tattoos that show something clearly offensive in Islam, like a deity, a religious symbol of another faith, or crude words. Cover those with clothing, or consider removing or covering them up with a plain design over time.
Wudu, ghusl and prayer
Tattoo ink sits under the skin, not on top of it. Water still touches your skin when you make wudu or ghusl, so both are completely valid. That's different from something that coats the skin, like nail polish. Your prayers are fine too.
Dealing with other people's comments
Some Muslims may ask about your tattoos, and a few might even make you feel judged. Don't let that shake you. Plenty of converts, and plenty of born Muslims, have tattoos from their past. What matters is the person you are now and the direction you're going.
- New tattoos are not allowed in Islam.
- Tattoos from before Islam are forgiven.
- You don't have to remove them, especially if it's painful or costly.
- Wudu, ghusl and prayer are valid with tattoos.
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