What is the ruling on Taswir (painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography), that is widely common among people?

Would you please give us a comprehensive answer about lawful and unlawful Taswir? May Allah reward you! Muslim scholars have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of making statues with the purpose of worshipping or revering them. If this is the case, the sin of making statues involves the sculptor, the buyer, the worshipper and deifiers. There is also an agreement among scholars that the statues made to be an object for training and children toys, i.e. dolls of animals and humans are not included in the prohibition. However, scholars have differed regarding some other points as follows: The majority of scholars are of the opinion that defaced or incomplete statues are not prohibited so long as they are not worshipped. However, some scholars prohibit the use of statues under any circumstances whatsoever. On the other hand, the full-figured statues are, according to the majority of scholars, prohibited, even if they are not worshipped or revered. By the passage of time, there is a possibility of people turning such statutes into objects of worship as did the people of Noah, peace be upon him, who made statues of their pious ancestors in order to remember them, and they ended up worshipping such statues. Some scholars, however, hold the view that making statues is permissible if they are not deemed to be worshipped. Therefore, the statues of leaders fall under this category, i.e. (permissible according to some scholars while prohibited by the majority of them.) Deep thinking will show that it is more Haram to erect statues commemorating tyrant rulers. Perpetuating the memories of leaders, thinkers, and scientists is best achieved through establishing organizations carrying their names or issuing books about their efforts and achievements. The prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi states: Islam prohibits statues and three-dimensional figures of the living creatures. The prohibition is even more stressed in case the statue is for a being already dignified i.e. Angels, prophets, the Virgin, or idols like cows for Hindus. We need to understand the Islams stand on this issue as a means of safeguarding the concept of monotheism. Some people may argue that such ruling belongs to the old ages when paganism was rampant, not in these days that worshipping idols exist no more. Such argument is weak especially as we know idolatry and paganism still keep their traces in some peoples minds and are reflected in their conduct.

People do still believe in myths and even the educated ones sometimes fall in such errors. Therefore, the statues of ancient Egyptians are prohibited. Some people may use busts like the head of some ancient Egyptian queens as an amulet to protect against evil eye or evil souls, in which case the prohibition of amulets is added to that of the statues. The only type of statues that is permitted is children dolls. Bellow, we'd summarize the rulings pertaining to figures and figure-makers: 1. The most strictly prohibited figures are those which are made to be worshipped in the place of or in addition to Allah. If the one who makes them does it intentionally for this purpose, he is going in the direction of unbelief. The most detestable among such figures are statues. Anyone who has a share in propagating or glorifying them will bear the sin proportional to his part. 2. Next to this in sinfulness are figures which are not made to be worshipped but which are intended to imitate Allah's creation. If the artist claims that he originates and creates as Allah does, he is an unbeliever. This matter pertains solely to the intention of the artist. 3. After this are statues which are erected in public places in order to commemorate great personalities such as kings, leaders and celebrities; this applies equally to full-length statues and to busts. 4. Next are statues of living beings which are neither worshipped nor reverenced. There is general agreement that they are Haram, except those which are not treated in a manner indicative of respect. Dolls or figures made of chocolate or sugar are clear exceptions. Late Sheikh Jadul-Haqq `Ali Jadul-Haqq, former Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, may Allah bless his soul, adds: The Quran was brought to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he was among a nation of pagans who used to set up idols around the Kaba. The Prophet warned against statues and the making thereof to avoid worshipping them or imitating Allahs creatures. Likewise, all the Prophets, were sent to prevent their peoples from worshipping idols or taking such as means to bring them near to Allah. Allah Almighty says: We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah. (Az-Zumar: 3) In the Quran the story of Abraham, peace be upon him, with the idolaters is oftrepeatedly mentioned in order to draw peoples attention to the Oneness of Allah. According to the scholars understanding, the dialogue between the Prophets, peace and blessings be upon them, and their peoples concerning statues fluctuated between detest and prohibition.

However, making full-figured statues of humans or animals is prohibited. Masrooq, may Allah be pleased with him, said: We entered, along with Abdullah, a house where there were some statues. Pointing at one of them, Abdullah asked: Whose statue is this? They answered: The Virgin. Thereupon he quoted the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: Among the people receiving the harshest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be carvers or sculptors Sheikh `Atiyya Saqr, former Head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, says: There is a disagreement among scholars concerning the issue of statues. Following is a summary of their opinions and views: Muslim scholars unanimously agree that the possession of statues deemed to be worshipped is Haram (prohibited). Allah says: So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idols and shun lying speech (Al-Hajj: 30) The possession of statues is also prohibited if the following conditions exist, even if they are not to be worshipped: 1- If they are full-figured statues. 2- If there is no need to acquire them. 3- If they are formed of a substance that lasts for a long time, i.e. wood, metal, or stone. Therefore, we can say: a) The possession of busts or statues with a missing part without which a human being can not survive, i.e. the head or the stomach is permissible, but yet disliked. b) The possession of statues becomes permissible once there is a need to acquire them, i.e. girls dolls or statues used in practical training. According to Al-Bukhari and Muslim authentic books, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, allowed `Aisha to play with dolls, but this was an exception for girls. According to some scholars, erecting statues to commemorate great men is only detested, not prohibited. d) According to the Maliki scholar, Asbagh bin Al-Farag, the possession of statues made of candy or pasta is permitted.

The renowned Muslim scholar Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Vice Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states: The issue of statues should be addressed in light of the following points: Making, buying or possessing statues falls under the well-known principle of jurisprudence which reads: Everything is lawful unless there is an attribute turning it into an unlawful matter. If the statues are made to be worshipped, then buying, selling or possessing such would be one of the grave sins. Making statues to imitate Allahs creatures is also a grave sin. However, such statues could be of a spiritless object, i.e. the sun, the moon etc or of a lawful doll. Hence, some scholars said that the permissibility or otherwise of such statues depends on the intention of the one who makes them. Statues or flat drawings made to commemorate great men in a way that may lead to some kind of worship are prohibited; this is out of blocking the ways leading to evil; a rule unanimously agreed upon by scholars. Statues and drawings which are neither worshipped nor revered are permissible, even if there is no legitimate need for them. Making such statues becomes commendable if there is a legitimate reason, i.e. children dolls are lawful according to the four schools of thought in Islam. Allah Almighty knows best. Reference : http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/arts-andentertainment/sculpture-and-statues/175685-islamic-views-on-erectingstatues.html?Statues= A collection of Hadtihs from which this are based upon: It is related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhary and Muslim) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us that Allah (Exalted be He) stated: Who can be more unjust than one who tries to create a creation like Mine. Let them create an atom, a grain of wheat, or a grain of barley. This wording reported by Muslim. In the Two Sahih, it is related on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be the Musawwirs.

It is also related in the same books of Hadith on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: Those whomake siwar (pictures, images, statues) will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created. This wording is reported by Al-Bukhari. Also, Al-Bukhari related in the Sahih on the authority of Abu Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade taking payment for blood, a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute. He cursed those who accept or pay Riba (usury/interest), a woman who tattoos others or gets herself tattooed, and the Musawwir. On the authority of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: Whoever makes a sura (picture, icon, idol, etc.) in the world will be asked to breathe soul into it (on the Day of Resurrection), but they will not be able to breathe soul (into it). (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhary and Muslim). It is related by Muslim that Sa`id ibn Abu Al-Hasan said: A man came to Ibn `Abbas and said: I make suras, so tell me about (the ruling on) this. Ibn `Abbas said: Come closer to me. The man did. Ibn `Abbas asked him to come closer again and the man did and he put his hand on the mans head and said: I will tell you what I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying. I heard him saying: Every Musawwir will enter the Fire and a soul will be given to every sura they made so that it would torment them in the Fire. He added: If you have to do this (go on in this profession), then make suras of trees and everything that does not have a soul. The statement If you have to do this was related by Al-Bukhari in the aforementioned Hadith related by Muslim. Furthermore, it was related by Al-Tirmidhy in his Jami` Book of Hadith on the authority of Abu Al-Zubayr from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade having suras in the home and forbade the making of them. He commented that it was a Hadith Hasan Sahih (a valid and authentic Hadith). On the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to me, and I had screened my alcove with a curtain on which there were suras. When he saw it, he tore it up and the color of his face changed [due to anger] and he said, O `Aishah! The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate Allahs Creation. `Aishah added: So we tore it up and we stuffed a cushion or two with it. (Related by Muslim).

On the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who narrated: Allahs Messenger (peace be upon him) returned from a journey and I had covered my alcove with a curtain on which there were suras. No sooner did he see it than he tore it up and said: Those who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate Allahs Creation. She said: Thus, we turned it (i.e. The curtain) into one or two cushions. (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Muslim added, his face changed after he tore it up) She also narrated: The Prophet (peace be upon him) returned from a journey and I had hung a thick curtain having suras. He ordered me to remove it and I did. (Related by Al-Bukhari). Imam Muslim also related it with the following wording: I had screened my door with a thick curtain having suras of winged horses. He ordered me to remove it and I did. On the authority of Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from `Aishah who narrated: I bought a cushion with suras on it. When Allahs Messenger (peace be upon him) saw it, he kept standing at the door and did not enter the house. I noticed the sign of disgust on his face, so I said, O Allahs Messenger! I repent to Allah and to His Messenger. (Please let me know) what sin I have done. He (peace be upon him) said, What about this cushion? I replied, I bought it for you to sit and recline on. Allahs Messenger (peace be upon him) said, The makers of these suras will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, Breathe life into what you have created. He (peace be upon him) added, Angels do not enter a house where there are suras.(Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Muslim added from Ibn AlMajishun that `Aishah said: I took it and turned it into two pillows on which he used to recline at home.) It is reported from Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a sura.(Agreed upon by Al-Bukhary and Muslim). This wording is reported by Muslim). It is related by Muslim on the authority of Zayd ibn Khalid from Abu Talhah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a statue. [It is also reported] in Sahih Al-Bukhari from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Jibril said: We do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a sura. The same Hadith was related by Muslim on the authority of `Aishah and Maymunah. It was authentically reported in the Two Sahih Books of Hadith: On the authority of `Aishah who narrated: I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and I had female friends who used to play along with me. They would hide from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) whenever he entered, but he would call them to join and play with me.