Is it permissible to engrave a name in Japanese on the shoulder using henna, even if it is not a permanent tattoo?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible for men to use henna in ways that do not involve imitating women. However, it is not permissible to use it or anything else in a way that involves imitating disbelievers, due to the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them," and "He is not one of us who imitates others. Do not imitate the Jews or the Christians." So, if printing a name or anything else on the body with henna involves imitating disbelievers, then it is not permissible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/100115
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 100115
- 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.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy