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The question

Is it valid to pray behind a Muslim who has a large tattoo on his arm, in imitation of non-Muslims?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

If it is possible to remove the tattoo without harm, its removal is obligatory; otherwise, it is not obligatory to remove it, and prayer with it is valid. The jurists have agreed that tattoos are impure. The Hanafis held that it becomes pure by washing, and the persistence of its trace does not cause harm, and his prayer and imamate are valid. The Malikis said: It is among the excused impurities, and prayer with it is valid. The Shafi'is held that its removal is obligatory unless harm is feared, and his prayer and imamate are valid. As for the Hanbalis, they said: If the removal of the tattoo does not result in harm, its removal is obligatory; otherwise, no. The tattooed person must repent to God, as tattooing is originally forbidden. And it is not befitting for one who possesses justice to be an imam for the people.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
130409
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Read the full answer on Ftawy