Is Scalp Micropigmentation Haram?
One of the questions that comes up from time to time is whether or not scalp micropigmentation is haram. It is a question that comes up from potential Muslim clients and it is important for us to have a greater understanding of Islam and to put great consideration into the beliefs of any person who walks through the doors of our clinic. We would never want a person to feel uncomfortable or to feel like they are doing something wrong by seeking SMP treatment, so we’ve looked at scalp micropigmentation and whether it is haram.
What is Haram?
Haram is a term that means something is forbidden or unlawful in Islam. Muslims cannot invest or engage in transactions that involve alcohol, gambling, pornography, or eat pork-based products. Another thing that is considered haram within Islam is to have a tattoo.
The majority of Muslims consider permanent tattoos to be haram based on the tradition and following of hadith. It is believed that tattoos are considered haram because it is a process that changes the body from the original body that Allah created. The tattoo process also introduces unnecessary pain to the skin and body, with the potential for infection. Another reason for tattoos to be considered haram within Islam is that a tattoo is used to cover an area of the body and therefore can be deemed a ‘deception’.
There are some body alterations that are allowed within Islam though, and this is where the dilemma about SMP and haram in particular come into play. If a person of Islamic faith pierces their ears or dyes their hair, wears contact lenses, or receives dental treatment, is this not altering the body that Allah gave them? The arguments are that if a procedure is not permanent, then it is permissible. The problem arises if a person is deemed to be damaging and changing their body permanently, purely for a vain reason.
Muslim prayer can only be undertaken if the person is in a ritual state of purity. Wudu us performed as a necessity before each prayer, where a person will wash the parts of their body that are exposed to dirt. If there is a tattoo present this does not invalidate the wudu, as the tattoo does not prevent the water from reaching and cleaning the skin. Henna and other forms of temporary tattoos are permitted by Islamic scholars, as long as they do not include inappropriate images.
What is SMP?
Now that you have a basic understanding of what haram means within Islam, what is SMP. Scalp micropigmentation is the most realistic hair loss solution for men and women. It uses high quality pigmentation that is injected into the scalp to create the impression of realistic hair follicles that mimics the look of a shaved head. It is non-invasive and non-surgical and can also be used to help cover up the effects of scarring or to help disguise the effects of alopecia or thinning of hair on the head. Scalp micropigmentation is a hair tattoo in essence, but in terms of whether SMP is haram or not there are different interpretations.
Is SMP Haram?
The interpretation of whether SMP is haram or not come down to whether you see SMP as a permanent tattoo or not. There is an interpretation that scalp micropigmentation is not haram because it is a restoration of something that has been lost, not an alteration. In the same way that dental and medical procedures are permitted, a person who seeks help from an SMP clinic for alopecia, scarring on their scalp, or any other of our SMP treatments, should be allowed to receive that help as their hair loss has not been deliberate.
SMP is a restoration rather than an alteration. The European Council for Fatwa and Research ruled on the question of SMP and haram in 2016. As SMP is used as a treatment for a condition (the loss of hair). The ruling stated:
“There is nothing wrong for you to do that because it is considered as a treatment of ailment. Especially if the treatment is temporary.
It is mentioned in a Hadeeth, that Imaam Abu Dawood collected in his book with a ‘good’ chain about Arfaja bin Sa’ad that his nose was injured during the battle of Kilaab in days of Jaahiliyyah. He used a silver brace to repair his nose and still had problems, so the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered him to use gold instead. Baldness is like any other ailment. It is allowed for you to use it any treatment to cure it whether that is colouring or hair planting. It is similar to treating burns with permissible treatment.”
Could I Convert to Islam if I Have a Hair Tattoo?
If you have converted to Islam and fully embraced the way of life, then all of your prior actions are forgiven. What this means, is that any tattoo that you have received before you converted to become a Muslim are permitted and you are not required to remove it. If there is any doubt about scalp micropigmentation and haram it would be ok if you have received SMP and are considering converting to Islam.
Scalp Micropigmentation and Haram
At our Liverpool-based hair tattoo clinic in the beautiful Georgian Quarter, we are always happy to speak to potential clients about receiving SMP from us. Our head clinician Craig is involved every step of the way, talking you through the process from consultation through treatment and top-up sessions and aftercare processes that you should follow.
If you have any questions about how SMP works and whether it is considered a permanent tattoo or a procedure that restores something (hair) that was once there and has since naturally and gradually disappeared, we are happy to talk to you. We will never undertake the procedure if you have any doubts, and we are 100% respectful of your beliefs, culture, and traditions.
Book in a consultation with Craig today and find out more about how SMP works. Contact us by calling 07432859488. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can to ensure you are seen sharply to discuss your hair restoration needs.
