Is it permissible for a new Muslim convert who has a tattoo of an image of Mary and a cross from the days of Jahiliyyah to replace it with another tattoo due to insufficient funds to remove it completely, or must he keep it as is? Does he incur a sin? And are the brothers obligated to collect money for him to have it entirely removed?

First: Permanent tattooing, such as inserting a needle and filling its place with dye, is one of the major sins if a person does it by their own choice while being an adult and of sound mind; this is because it is an alteration of Allah's creation. It has been confirmed in the Sunnah (definition) that the tattooist and the tattooed are cursed.

Second: A Muslim must remove a tattoo from their body, even if by surgery, unless they fear damage to the limb or severe disfigurement. If they fear that, then they are not obliged to remove it, and repentance suffices them.