Tongue Piercing: Permissible?

As far as Islamic Shari`ah is concerned, a woman is permitted to pierce her ears for the purpose of wearing jewelry as Almighty Allah permitted her to adorn herself wearing gold or silver jewellery. Nevertheless, it is not permissible for a man or woman to pierce his or her tongue as this constitutes changing or altering Allah’s creation. It also harms the body as many studies highlight the harmful effect of this act.

Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states: Piercing the tongue in order to wear jewellery in it is something that is strange and off-putting to those of sound taste. Some disbelievers and immoral women are well-known for doing this, and it is one of the causes of the spread of cancer of the tongue, gum disease and loss of teeth, so it is not permissible to do it. A study undertaken by researchers in Spain has shown that some people have resorted to piercing their tongues or other inner parts of their mouths in order to wear jewellery or studs, and this may lead to health complications affecting the mouth and teeth.

Researchers from a university in Spain undertook a study of ninety-eight cases where the tongue or some inner part of the mouth was pierced, with the aim of evaluating the health complications that resulted from piercing these parts of the body.

The results of the study that were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, indicates that in 23.5 percent of all cases there was wearing away of gum tissue around the teeth, especially in the eyeteeth of the lower jaw.

It also showed that 13.3 percent of cases suffered from tooth decay. Researchers pointed out that it is essential to warn people about the consequences of piercing any part of the mouth for the purpose of wearing studs, before they go ahead with that.

The American Association of Dental Health Workers also warns people about the consequences of piercing different parts of the mouth, such as the tongue and lips, which may lead to loss of teeth because of the wearing away of gum tissue. In addition to that, piercing the tongue may, according to their report, lead to nerve loss in the affected area, and in some cases may even lead to stroke and blood infections. We also asked a well-known university professor in oral surgery and dentistry for his opinion about body piercing in the mouth. He told us that he saw that some girls do this in Germany and he added that this is one of the causes of cancer.

As it is proven that this action is harmful and causes these diseases, it is not permissible to do it, because Almighty Allah has forbidden a person to do anything by means of which he harms himself.