𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (542)

Body Piercings Question: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته May Allāh reward you with goodness. Many sisters residing in Europe ask about the various types of body piercings, such as the ear, nose, eyebrow, cheek, tongue, lip, nipples, navel, and others; which of these piercings are permissible, and which are not, with mention of the reason or evidence? May Allāh reward you abundantly. Sheikh Saleem Al-Hilāli hafidahullah: وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته May Allāh reward you with goodness, and bless your eagerness to ask questions and gain sound understanding of the religion of Allāh. This is a topic about which questions are frequently asked, especially in European societies, and it requires precise juristic regulation grounded in Islamic legal principles—not in Western customs or personal tastes. I will divide the response into governing principles, followed by a detailed discussion of the mentioned types of piercings, along with their reasoning and evidence. First: Governing Sharīʿah Principles Regarding Body Piercings ▪️Principle One: The Presumption of Permissibility in Women’s Adornment, with Conditions The basic ruling regarding a woman’s adornment is permissibility, provided that: 1⃣. It is not intrinsically prohibited. 2⃣. It does not necessitate uncovering the ʿawrah or involve unlawful physical contact. 3⃣. It does not constitute imitation of disbelievers or immoral women. 4⃣. It does not involve significant harm. 5⃣. It does not fall under the prohibited alteration of Allāh’s creation. Allāh the Exalted says: “Say, who has forbidden the adornment of Allāh which He has produced for His servants?” [Al-Aʿrāf 7:32] ▪️Principle Two: Distinguishing Between Customary Adornment and Aberrant Adornment Adornment that is commonly recognised among women by custom, and which is not regarded as disfigurement or a departure from natural disposition, carries a lighter ruling. As for adornment that is strange, repugnant, or associated with corrupt cultures, the default ruling concerning it is prohibition. ▪️Principle Three: The Prohibition of Exposing the ʿAwrah or Deliberately Violating Its Sanctity The Prophet ﷺ said: “A man must not look at the ʿawrah of another man, nor a woman at the ʿawrah of another woman.” [Narrated by Muslim] Accordingly, any form of adornment that cannot be performed except by exposing the severe ʿawrah or deliberately harming it is prohibited. ▪️Principle Four: The Legal Maxim “There Is No Harm Nor Reciprocating Harm” The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no harm and no reciprocating harm.” [Narrated by Ibn Mājah; authenticated by Al-Albānī] Whatever has been medically or practically established to involve significant harm is therefore prohibited in Islamic law. ___ Second: Detailed Rulings on Specific Types of Piercings 1⃣. Ear Piercing ✅ Ruling: Permissible, without any significant scholarly disagreement. Evidence: It is authentically established that women wore earrings during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and he approved of this practice. Ibn Qudāmah said: “There is no harm in piercing a young girl’s ear, as it is a customary adornment for women.” Condition: It should be for lawful adornment—such as for the husband—and within Sharīʿah limits, not for prohibited display. 2⃣. Nose Piercing ☑️ Ruling: Permissible if: * It is regarded as a known form of feminine adornment in that society. * It is not a distinguishing symbol of immoral or idolatrous groups. * It does not lead to disfigurement or harm. Reasoning: The nose is not part of the ʿawrah, and piercing it does not constitute permanent alteration of creation. It has also been known historically in some Muslim societies. However, if in a given environment it is considered imitation of immoral women or a symbol of deviant culture, then it becomes prohibited. 3⃣. Eyebrow Piercing 🚫 Ruling: Not permissible.