I emailed Seyyed Khamenei myself and compiled answers from Seyyeds Sistani, Fadlallah and Lankarani from other people's emails and from the respected Marjas' websites (and asked our local Sheikh Mansour Laghaei as well). Here is what they said:
Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei:
“Salamun `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
The answer is as follows:
Bismihi Ta`ala
Tattooing is not ḥarām.
With prayers for your success,
wassalam.”
ALSO
“Having tattoo is not haraam and its subcutaneous trace does not prevent water from reaching skin thus, wudu' and ghusl with it will be correct.”
ALSO
“Tattooing name of Allah or Prophet or Imams:
Bismihi Ta`ala
There is no objection to doing so.
With prayers for your success,
wassalam.”
Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani:
“Question : What is your ruling on having permanent or temporary tattoos?
Answer : Tattoos are permissible irrespective of whether they are permanent or temporary.”
Grand Ayatollah Hussein Fadlallah:
“Q: question about tattooing: Is it ok to have a tattoo on the body of a man/woman?
A: Tattooing on the body is not prohibited except, in women’s case, if it was on woman’s face and is then considered as a visible grooming. There is no evidence on prohibiting such an issue and therefore it is permissible on the basis that every thing is permissible unless proven otherwise..”
The Late Grand Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani:
“Q. What is the ruling regarding tattoos, according to Jaffari jurisprudence?
A. Tattooing on the skin is permitted on the condition that it does not harm the body. However it is forbidden to tattoo profane images or pornographic images and the like.”
Sheikh Mansour Leghaei:
“Alaykum Salam
The answer is what those respected maraje’ have said. My opinion is not counted for you.
Sh. Mansour Leghaei
Imam Husain Islamic Centre”
haha I know what you mean about parents and that having to see this Its no worries still people assume tattoos are Haram (I always thought they were). We need to convince the world!!! LOL
heres also a thread on Aim Islam forums where we discussed tattoos and there are some more rulings and emails:
http://www.aimislam....c/3608-tattoos/