Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

Tattoos are haram.

Removing tattoos is obligatory, unless one fears a harm that would warrant dry ablution [tayammum]. If one was a Muslim when they got the tattoo, then they must repent. If one embraced Islam with a tattoo, then past sins were wiped away upon accepting the din; accordingly, the sin of tattooing is forgiven. Still, when no harm is feared, a person who embraces Islam with tattoos, and likewise the one who got a tattoo while Muslim, must remove them. If harm is feared, then one does not need to do so. (al-Fatawa al-Kubra al-Fiqhiyyah v. 1, p. 164; Mughni al-Muhtaj v. 1, p. 406)

Shabramallisi did not necessarily exclude one who embraces Islam with tattoos. (Hashiyat al-Nihayah v. 2, p. 22-23) In fact, he stated,

وأما الكافر إذا وشم نفسه في الشرك ثم أسلم فالمتجه وجوب الكشط عليه بعد الإسلام

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.