#1125: More On At-Tasweer
السلام عليكم ورحمه الله وبركاته
I have a question regarding drawing of living things.
Is it allowed in Islam to draw living things or is it just the drawing of prophets e.t.c?
ANSWER:
Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
Alhamdulillah and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Muhammad Salallahu alayhi wasallam.
As for what follows, drawing living thing is generally prohibited in the shariah because of what both Bukhari and Muslim narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn Umar radiyallahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah alaihi salam said:
“Those who make images will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them: ‘Bring to life that which you have created.”
The scholars have explained that this prohibition includes all forms which could be drawing, molding or engraving.
Both Bukhari and Muslim narrate from Ibn Abbas radiyallahu anhu, who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say, ‘Whoever makes an image in this world will be told to breathe life into it in the Day of Resurrection, and he will not be able to do so.”
Furthermore, both Bukhari and Muslim narrate from Sa’eed ibn Abil-Hasan, who said: “I was with Ibn Abbas radiyallahu anhu when a man came to him and said, ‘O Ibn Abbas, I am a man who earns a living by the work of my hands, and I make these pictures (or images).’ Ibn Abbaas said: ‘I will only tell you what I heard the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say, and I heard him say, “Whoever makes an image in this world will be punished until he breathes life into it, and he will never be able to do so.’’ The man became very upset and his face turned pale. He – meaning Ibn Abbas – said, ‘Woe to you! If you insist on making them (images), then you can make images of these trees and everything that does not have a soul.”
The prohibition in this case is from amongst the sever prohibitions because of what both Imams (Bukhari and Muslim) narrate that ‘Aa’ishah radiyallahu anha said: The Messenger of Allah alaihi salam said:
“The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate the creation of Allah.”
However, some scholars like ibn Hajar rahimahullah in his fath is of the opinion that drawing of living things that are disfigured or drawings that are not explicit in terms showing every detail of the living thing is permissible. Thus, if the eyes or mouth is deliberately omitted from a drawing, or the whole head is taken off and its likes, then this is permitted if there is a need for it.
The sin of drawing prophets will be more severe than just drawing any living thing because of what it includes of lies and it being a path that leads to extremism and shirk.
And Allah knows best.
Barakallahu Fikum
Jazakumullahu Khayran.
Abū Hafs
8th Shawwal, 1442AH.
📚 IslāmNode
