The Rule on Images of Animals or People

The Rule on Images of Animals or People

Islam Forbids Making or Keeping or Wearing Clothes 
Depicting Images of Animals or People

Question: What is the ruling on solat in clothes on which there are images of animals which may be part of a manufacturing company’s logo such as tigers or crocodiles?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is His Messenger.

In Islam there are evidences from Al-Qur'an and Sunnah entailing the following:

1 – Islam Forbids Making and Keeping Images of Animals or People, and Wearing Clothes with Images of Animals or People

Allāh Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has said those that creates and worships images results in them becoming wrong doers and are in manifest error. 

Allāh Says: “And the people of Moses made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of a calf (for worship).  It had a sound (as if it was mooing).  Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the way?  They took it for worship and they were Zalimun (wrong-doers).” (Surah Al-A'raf 7:148)

Allāh also says:  “And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrāhīm (Abraham, ‘alayhissalam) his (portion of) guidance, and We were well-acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allāh, etc.). When he said to his father and his people: “What are these images, to which you are devoted?” They said:  “We found our fathers worshipping them.” He said: “Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error”.” (Surah Al-Anbiyâ 21:51-54)

‘Aishah (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated: When the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) became ill, some of his wives talked about a church which they had seen in Ethiopia and it was called Mariya. Umm Salmah and Umm Habibah (radiyallāhu`anha) had been to Ethiopia, and both of them narrated (the Church’s) beauty and the pictures it contained. The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) raised his head and said: “Those are the people who, whenever a pious man dies amongst them, make a place of worship at his grave and then they make those pictures in it. Those are the worst creatures in the Sight of Allāh”.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari)

1.1 - Severe Punishment for the Image-Makers on the Day of Resurrection.

‘Abdullāh Ibn Mas‘ūd (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Those who will be most severely punished by Allāh on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.”(Recorded by al-Bukhari; See Fathul-Bāri, 10/382.)

Abu Hurayrah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Allāh says: ‘Who does more wrong than the one who tries to create something like my creation? Let him create a grain of wheat or a kernel of corn’.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari, see Fathul-Bāri, 10/385).

The above ahādīth indicate that pictures of animate beings are harām, whether they are humans or other -creatures, whether they are three-dimensional or two-dimensional, whether they are printed, drawn, etched, engraved, carved, cast in moulds, etc. Thus Islam forbids wearing clothes images of animals or people. They must be removed or erased.

1.2 - Islam Only Permits the Creation of Pictures of Trees and Any Other Unanimated Objects.

Ibn ‘Abbās (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Every image-maker will be in the Fire and for every image that he made a soul will be created for him, which will be punished in the Fire.” Ibn ‘Abbās (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: “If you must do that, make pictures of trees and other inanimate objects.” (This is recorded by Muslim)

Sa‘id bin Abu Al-Hasan (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated: “While I was with Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu), a man came and said, “O Ibn Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures.”  Ibn ‘Abbas said, “I will tell you only what I heard from Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying: ‘Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allāh till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.’ Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu) said to him, “What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects”.” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari 3:428)

2 – It is forbidden to Hang or Keep Pictures of Any being that possesses a Soul

It is not allowed to hang a picture or to keep a picture of any being that possesses a soul. It is obligatory to destroy such pictures. Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) prohibited having pictures in houses. Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Do not leave any image, but [instead] efface it.” (Recorded by Muslim) 

2.1 - Any Pictures Of Animate Beings Or Dog In His House Will Prevent The Angels From Entering.

‘Aishah (radiyallāhu`anha) narrated, who said: “I stuffed for the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) a pillow decorated with pictures (of animals) which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with displeasure apparent on his face. I said, “O Allāh’s Apostle! What is wrong?” He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “What is this pillow?” I said, “I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it.” He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam)  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)?” (Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

Abu Talhah (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated: “I heard Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying: ‘Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)’.”(Recorded by Al- Bukhari)

 In a narration of Ibn Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu) who said that Abu Talhah (radiyallāhu`anhu), a companion of Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and one of those who fought at Badar together with Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) told me that Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.” He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) meant the images of creatures that have souls. This is narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. 

Maimunah binti al-Harith (radiyallāhu`anha) narrated that one morning the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was silent and in grief. I said to him: “O Allāh’s Messenger, I find a change in your mood today. Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: “Gabriel had promised me that he would meet me last night, but he did not meet me. By Allāh, he never broke his promises”. Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) spent the day in this sad (mood). Then it occurred to Allāh’s Messenger that there had been a puppy under their cot. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) gave an order and it was turned out. He then took some water in his hand and sprinkled it on the place. In the evening Gabriel met Rasūlullāh  (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and he said to him:“You promised me that you would meet me the previous night”. Gabriel said: “Yes, but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture”. So the very next morning, Rasūlullāh  (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) commanded the dog to be killed. He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) announced that the dog kept for the orchards should also be killed, but he spared the dog used for the protection of extensive fields (or big gardens).(This is recorded by Muslim)

In a narration of Ibn Abbas (radiyallāhu`anhu) who said that Abu Talhah (radiyallāhu`anhu), a companion of Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and one of those who fought at Badar together with Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) told me that Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture.” Rasūlullāh  (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) meant the images of creatures that have souls. This is narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Therefore, all pictures meant for remembrance should be removed. However, pictures that are needed out of necessity, such as for official identification purposes and so forth, may be kept. 

3 - It Is Not Permissible for a Person to Wear Clothes on Which There is an Image of an Animal or a Person

A Saudi scholar, Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullāh) said: 

“It is not permissible for a person to wear clothes on which there is an image of an animal or a person, and it is not permissible to wear ghutrahs or other headgear on which there is an image of a person or an animal, because it is proven that the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said that the angels do not enter any house in which there is an image. In a hadith of Abu Talhah (radiyallāhu`anhu) who said: “I heard Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying: ‘Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)’.” (this is recorded by Al- Bukhari ). Hence Muslim should not keep pictures for memories, and whoever has any pictures for memories should destroy them, whether he put them on the wall or in an album etc, because keeping them deprives the people of the house of the angels’ entering upon them. And Allāh knows best.” 

[See: Mutalibuli An-Nuha (1/353)]

4 - It Is Not Advisable To Pray Wearing a Cloth Which Has Designs or Markings over It

Imam Muslim recorded that ‘A‘ishah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported, who said: “The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) stood for solat with a garment which had designs over it. He looked at these designs and after completing the solat Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) said: “Take this garment to Abu Jaham bin Hudhaifah and bring me a blanket for it has distracted me just now”.” (Muslim (1132))  

In another narration ‘A‘ishah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported: “The Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) had a garment which had designs upon it and this distracted him in Solat. Rasūlullāh (Sallallāhu `alayhi wasallam) gave it to Abu Jaham and took a plain garment in its place which is known anbijaniya.” This is also recorded by Muslim (1133) 

4.1 - Solat Offered in a Garment that has Images of People or Animals on it is Still Valid but the Person Would Have Sinned.

The Scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: Is it permissible to observe solat in a garment on which there is an image of a person or images of animals? And is it permissible to enter the toilet in a garment on which there is the name of Allāh? 

The Scholars of the Standing Committee replied: It is not permissible to pray in clothes on which there are images of animate beings, whether people, birds, camels, cattle, sheep, or other animate beings, and it is not permissible for a Muslim to wear them when he is not praying either. The prayer of one who prays wearing clothes on which there are images is valid, but he is sinning if he knows the shar’ie ruling. It is not permissible to write the name of Allāh on clothing, and it is makruh to enter the toilet wearing it, because that is showing disrespect to His name, may He be exalted.

[Fatawa Al-Lajnah Al-Da’imah (6/179)]

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (rahimallāh) was asked about the ruling on the prayer of one who prays in a garment on which are embroidered or printed with images of animate beings. 

He replied: “If he is unaware, there is no sin on him, but if he knew (the ruling) then his prayer is valid but there is some sin involved, according to the more correct of the two scholarly rulings. Some scholars said that his prayer is invalid, because he has prayed in a garment that is haram for him.”

[Majmu’ Fatawa Al-Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (12/360)]

Based on this, one has to remove the image of the tiger or crocodile from your clothes, or distort the image by removing the head or covering it with some colour or thread that will hide it. If you pray with the image still on your clothes, your prayer is valid but there is some sin. 

Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Do not leave any image, but [instead] efface it.” (Recorded by Muslim)

5 - Children Wearing Clothes on Which There Are Images of Animate Beings

‘Aishah (radiyallāhu`anha) narrated: “I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam), and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) would call them to join and play with me.” (Recorded by Bukhari)

The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for ‘Aishah at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty. (See: Fathul-Bari page 143, Vol.13)

Aishah, (radiyallāhu`anhu) narrated: “When Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar (the narrator is doubtful), the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) 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 Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth.” (Recorded by Abu Dawud)

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (rahimallāh) was also asked about the ruling on children wearing clothes on which there are images of animate beings. 

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen replied: The scholars said that it is haram to dress a child in what it is haram for adults to wear. Whatever that has an image on it, it is haram for adults to wear it, and so it is also haram for children to wear it. What the Muslims should do is to prohibit from these clothes and shoes, so that the evildoers will have no means of reaching us in this matter. If it is boycotted they will never find a way of bringing them into this land and that there will be no point in bringing them here. 

[Majmu’ Fatawa Al-Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (12/333).] 

6 - The Images Must Be Destroyed, Removed or Erased

As the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) had ordered that all images be destroyed. Is it sufficient to erase just the eyes, or the face, or the head?

It is not allowed to hang a picture or keep a picture of any being that possesses a soul. It is obligatory to destroy such pictures.

Abul Hayyaj Al-Asadi narrated that Ali Ibn Abu Talib (radiyallāhu`anhu) said to him: “Should I not send you on the same duty as Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) sent me: “Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without leveling it”. This hadith has been also narrated by Habib with the same chain of transmitters and Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “(Do not leave) a picture without obliterating it” (This is Recorded by Muslim and al-Nasa’ie)

In another narration the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Do not leave any image, but [instead] efface it.” (Recorded by Muslim)

Shaikh ‘Abd Al-Kareem Al-Khudair (rahimallāh) said: The image is the face, which must be erased so that it disappears as the Allāh’s Messenger (Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) forbade striking the “image”. The meaning is that it is forbidden to strike the face, as the fact that “image” means the face means that the facial features must be erased. And Allāh knows best. 

Allāh Almighty knows best.

[References: Islam Q&A (83154; 3332; 365) and muttaqun.com]