The tattoo that the Diyanet says is 'permissible'

Whether the 'love mark' tattoo, which is applied to individuals with a high risk of getting lost, such as those with Alzheimer's, intellectual disabilities, and the elderly, is religiously permissible has become a subject of curiosity.

Providing a statement on the matter, Sivas Mufti's Office Chief Preacher Saffet Bölükbaşı said, “Under normal circumstances, tattoos are not permissible. However, there is a principle of Islamic jurisprudence that states, 'Necessities make prohibited things permissible.'

In other words, the person with the condition getting lost is a more problematic situation. Therefore, we can consider the love mark permissible, specifically for individuals such as those with Alzheimer's, so that they can be easily found,” he said.

The Sivas Association for the Assistance of Physically and Mentally Disabled Individuals and Their Families prevented the risk of getting lost by having the love mark applied to 24 special individuals and Alzheimer's patients within the month.

"TATTOOS DO NOT HINDER RITUAL ABLUTION (WUDU) OR FULL-BODY ABLUTION (GHUSL)"

Sivas Mufti's Office Chief Preacher Saffet Bölükbaşı stated that a tattoo applied under the skin does not hinder ablution, but that this does not mean the tattoo itself is permissible, adding: “Tattooing is a custom based on very old traditions. Since it was on the agenda during the time of our Prophet, when we look at hadith sources, we find hadiths related to tattoos.

There is a very famous, actually threatening hadith that says, 'May God distance from His mercy those who tattoo and those who have themselves tattooed.' Under normal circumstances, it is strictly forbidden to get tattoos, which we know consist of certain toxic substances injected under the skin, but there is also this aspect: tattoos do not hinder ritual ablution (wudu) or full-body ablution (ghusl).

While it is known among the public that getting a tattoo is a sin, there are also claims that it hinders wudu and ghusl, but this is not true. Of course, this does not mean that tattoos are permissible,” he said.

"NECESSITIES CAN OVERRIDE OBLIGATIONS"

Stating that the High Board of Religious Affairs has issued a fatwa that disabled citizens can get the tattoo called the 'love mark' because it is a necessity today, Bölükbaşı said, “Now there is a rule, also known as a Mecelle principle, that 'necessities can override obligations.' As we have stated, while tattoos done arbitrarily are not permissible in our religion, the application of the love mark tattoo due to illness is considered appropriate.

There is no religious problem in doing it or having it done. However, it is not religiously appropriate for a person with no disability or necessity to get a tattoo. It is considered normal for our families to have reservations due to this information, but the decision made by the High Board of Religious Affairs, which is the highest authority in the religious field, is of a nature to comfort families because, since there is no other solution, this tattoo has been permitted in terms of the Islamic religion.

Families can very easily have this done. The purpose of the love mark is to be able to help when they get lost. We can easily state that there is no religious responsibility or sin for families to have this done,” he explained.

"IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN TO HAVE A MARK"

Stating that the love mark tattoo has gained them a lot in terms of protecting her child, Huriye Oyal, the mother of 50-year-old intellectually disabled Levent Oyal, said, “Now I am relatively less worried. God forbid, even if my child gets lost, it has become much easier to find him with the number on his wrist. It is essential for such special children to have a mark,” she said.

"OUR CHILDREN NEED IT"

Saying that it has become a guarantee for them, the mother of 25-year-old intellectually disabled İkbal Malatyalı expressed, “We say our children won't go, they won't do it, but it's never certain what they will do. Our children are special children. Our children need it. It is a very necessary thing for our children.”

"HAVING A DISABILITY IS NOT A REQUIREMENT"

Saying that she had the love mark done even though she has a physical disability, Gülseren Geçkil said, “I don't see any harm in it. Every person should have this love mark tattoo done. Having a disability is not a requirement for the love mark,” she said.