pictures prohibited in Islam

Human and animals pictures Haram in slam:

The reason for the unlawfulness of pictorial representation is that it imitates the creative act of Allah Most High, as is indicated by the hadith related by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim that A’isha (Allah be well pleased with her) said, “The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) returned from a trip, and I had draped a cloth with picture on it over a small closet. When he saw it, he ripped it down, his face colored, and he said, “A’isha, the people most severely tortured by Allah on the Day of Judgment will be those who try to imitate what Allah has created,”

AS PER QURAN

(1) It is in Quran -   وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِن بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَّهُ خُوَارٌ ۚأَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّهُ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًا ۘ اتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ (Meaning - The people of (Prophet) Musa ( علیھ السلا م ) made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of calf, (for worship): it seemed to low: did they not see that it could neither speak to them, nor show them the way? They took it for worship and they did wrong. (Al-Araf - 148).

(2) It is in Quran  -   يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ ۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا ۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ  ( Meaning - They worked for him (Prophet Sulaiman - علیھ السلا م) as he desired, (making) arches, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places):"Work O'Sons of David (علیھ السلا م)with thanks! but few of My servants are grateful!". (Saba - 13).
The first Quranic verse says that in the absence of  Prophet Musa ( علیھ السلا م )some people made an image of a Calf for worship.  This act on their part was wrong.

The 2nd Quranic verse says that some people worked as per the orders of Prophet Sulaiman ( علیھ السلا م ) and made images.  This act on their part was right.  Why?  Because these images were not meant for worship.

The above Quranic verses confirm the fact that the intention behind making images has to be virtuous.  Images made with bad intention (for worship) are disallowed and images made out of good intention are allowed in Islam.

AS PER AHADITH

The Prophet said, 'Angels do not enter a house in which there are dogs or pictures'. (Sahih-Al-Bukhari, 7.833, Narrated byAbu Talha)

Hadith 7.834 (Al-Bukhari Hadith)

  

(1) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) - "I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)   would call them to join and play with me.  (Bukhari).  

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)"When the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) arrived after the expedition of Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the drought raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth. (Abu Dawud).

From above Ahadith, we can draw the following conclusions.

(1) Pictures drawn, taken or even making shapes of human beings or animals is allowed in Islam provided they are made for some good purpose; even as play things for  children.

(2) Pictures can be drawn in text books / drawing books / black boards, etc.,  to explain various subjects to students.

(3) Pictures can be drawn / taken  for scientific and technological research and education at Colleges, Universities and laboratories.

(4) Human / Animal models can be made for scientific research and education.

(5) Medical fraternity can work on dead bodies of humans and animals for their education and research.  They can record their findings by way of pictures.

(6) Pictures can be taken and used for Passports / I-Cards  / Driver licenses / social security and a host of other requirements.

(7) Islamic scholars / Shuyooks can appear on TVs, Internet and Videophones to explain Islamic issues to people.

(8) Pictures can be taken for security purposes.  Surveilance cameras can be placed at places where there is risk of theft and/or life security of the people.

   It is in Hadith - Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated :  I heard Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended."  (Bukhari, Book 1, Volume 1)

It is in Hadith - Hazrat Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) kissed the hands and feet of Hazrat Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) (Bukhari - Adab Al Mufrad, Hadith No. 976). 

In Saudi Arabia we see the pictures of their kings hanging on the walls of every Government office, Universities and importance buildings.  This is done as  remembrance and a mark of respect and reverence to their kings.  We also see all Saudi/Salafi newspapers publishing the pictures of their Ulema/people/royal family members freely on print media/newspapers/internet.

   

 

 UNDERSTANDING OF AHADITH

(1) It is in Hadith -  Narrated Ibn Umar: Once the Prophet  (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) went to the house of Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)but did not enter it. 'Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) came and she told him about that. When 'Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) about it, he said, "I saw a  (multicolored) decorated curtain on her door. I am not interested in worldly things."  'Ali(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) went to Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and told her about it. Fatima (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, "I am ready to dispense with it in the way the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) suggests." The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) ordered her to send it to such-and-such needy people."  (Bukhari - Book #47, Hadith #783).

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated Busr bin Said(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): That Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated to him something in the presence of Said bin 'Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) who was brought up in the house of Ummul Momineen Maimuna (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا). Zaid (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated to them that Abu Talha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, "The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a picture." Busr(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said, "Later on Zaid bin Khalid (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) fell ill and we called on him. To our surprise we saw a curtain  decorated with pictures in his house. I said to Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), "Didn't he (i.e. Zaid- رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) tell us about the (prohibition of) pictures?" He said, "But he excepted the embroidery on garments. Didn't you hear him?" I said, "No." He said, "Yes, he did."  (Bukhari - Book # 54, Hadith # 449).

  (3) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Al-Qasim (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): 'Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said that she hung a curtain decorated with pictures (of animates) on a cupboard. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) tore that Curtain and she turned it into two cushions which remained in the house for the Prophet(صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)  to sit on.  (Bukhari - Book # 43, Hadith # 659)

 The above Hadith establishes the fact that though the curtain was tore, but it was used for cushions for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) which he used it.

(5) It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)said: I stuffed for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) a pillow decorated with pictures which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with excitement apparent on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! What is wrong?" He said, "What is this pillow?" I said, "I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it." He said, "Don't you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures; and whoever makes a picture will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked to give life to (what he has created)?  (Bukhari - Book # 44, Hadith # 447) 

It is in Hadith - Narrated Anas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): When the Prophet arrived in Medina....  he ordered that a Mosque should be built and sent for some people of Banu-an-Najjar and said, "O Banu an-Najjar! Suggest to me the price of this (walled) piece of land of yours." They replied, "No! By Allah ( سبحانہ و تعا لی )! We do not demand its price except from Allah ( سبحانہ و تعا لی )." Anas(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) added: There were Graves of pagans in it and some area was un-leveled and there were some date-palm trees in it. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) ordered that the Graves of the Pagans be dug out and the uneven land be leveled and the date-palm trees be cut down . (So all that was done).(Bukhari Book #8, Hadith #420).

 It is in Hadith - Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) (that) he said: I heard Allah's Apostle  (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)say, “Whoever makes a picture in this world  will be charged with breathing spirit (into it), while he is not one that breathes (spirits).” (Bukhari)

  It is in Hadith - Narrated Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) (that) he said:  Allah's Apostle  (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, “Verily, of the most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection are picture-makers.” (Bukhari, Muslim) 

 It is in Hadith - Narrated Abu Zur‘ah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) : I entered the house of Marwan with Abu Hurayrah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), and he saw pictures therein and said: I heard Allah’s Apostle(صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) say, “Allah ( سبحانہ و تعا لی ) said, ‘And who is more unjust than one who set out to create a creation like My creation? Let them create an atom, let them create a grain, or let them create a barleycorn!’” (Bukhari, Muslim)  

PICTURES DRAWN OR TAKEN FOR UNLAWFUL PURPOSES ARE FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM

The following Ahadith clearly specify prohibition of pictures drawn or taken for unlawful purposes like worship, immorality, hatred, satire, etc.

(1) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) : Um Habiba (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) and Um Salama(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) mentioned about a Church they had seen in Ethiopia in which there were pictures. They told the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) about it, on which he said, "If any religious man dies amongst those people (Christians) they would build a place of worship at his grave (considering him to be divine) and make these pictures in it. They will be the worst creature in the sight of Allah Ta'ala on the Day of Resurrection."  (Bukhari - Book #8, Hadith #419).

(2) It is in Hadith - Narrated by  Abu Juhaifa (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): "I saw my father buying a slave whose profession was cupping, and ordered that his instruments (of cupping) be broken. I asked him the reason for doing so. He replied, "Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) prohibited taking money for blood, the price of a dog and the earnings of a slave-girl by prostitution; he cursed her who tattoos and her who gets tattooed, the eater of Riba (usury), and the maker of pictures (for bad purposes)". (Bukhari - Book #34, Hadith #440)

(3) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ): 'When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) saw pictures in the Ka'ba, he did not enter it till he ordered them to be erased. When he saw (the pictures of Abraham - علیھ السلا م and Ishmael - علیھ السلا م carrying the arrows of divination), he said, "May Allah (Ta'ala) curse them (the Quraish)! By Allah, neither Abraham (علیھ السلا م) nor Ishmael (علیھ السلا م) practiced divination by arrows." (Bukhari - Book #55, Hadith #571).

The foregoing hadiths show that producing representation is unlawful under any circumstances, and just as making a picture is unlawful, so too is procuring one, because the threat that pertains to the users, for pictures are only made to be used. 

The stated narratives entail the following points:

1. Artists, painters, sculptors, photographers and all those who make any form or images - which may come under the ambit of the Arabic word 'Musawwir' (i.e. one, who makes images), deserve the severest of punishments on the Day of Judgment;
2. The great crime involved in making pictures is to try to create something in the like of God's creation. On the day of Judgment, the makers of these images shall be directed to put life in these images, which he shall fail to do [and shall be put to further punishment for it];
3. Even though the Prophet (pbuh) disapproved using a cloth with images to be hung as a curtain, yet he allowed to use that cloth in cushions;
4. In another narrative, the Prophet (pbuh) even disapproved using this cloth in cushions;
5. Angels do not enter a house, where there are any forms of pictures.

One can easily see some disparity in even the few stated narratives, regarding the issue under consideration. For instance, in one narrative, the Prophet's household converted the imaged curtains into cushions, which was apparently accepted by the Prophet (pbuh). However, in another narrative, the Prophet (pbuh) did not approve using such cloth even in cushions.

Another point which needs to be stressed is that in the second cited narrative, the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have condemned 'artists' in an absolute term. This really implies that all kinds of imaging, whether it is of living objects, non-living objects or imaginary - living or non-living - objects is condemned by the Prophet (pbuh). This condemnation would thus cover images of humans, animals, landscapes, atoms, trees, mountains, stones the Ka`bah etc. Taken in a wider sense, the condemned would also include sketches and designs prepared by architects, engineers and their likes.

So try to escape these sins specially  living things images/picures are strictly prohibited..spread this message more