Islam News Room - More Pictures of Muhammad (Haram?)

Are Pictures of Muhammad,
peace be upon him,
Are They Haram? Or OK?

Question:

Salam alaykum,
As a newcomer to Islam, I need reliable sources of information.

What about "pictures" or "images" of the prophet, peace be upon him?

Is there any reference in Quran to this topic?

I have read conflicting reports on this.

I was browsing an American website recently and an article wrote at length about portraits existing around the world of Mohammad (peace be upon him).
This was freedomhouse.org which in turn linked to a site about “religious freedom”.

It might be US propaganda, given the way things are at the moment with the US government and Islam.

I’d like to know the truth about this issue.

Can you enlighten me?

Thank you. Salam alaykum [name deleted].

Bismillah Rahman Raheem (In the Name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful)

Salam alaykum brother [name deleted]:

Your Question Concerning Images, Photos or Pictues:

Thank you for you question about “pictures” in Islam.

This is a big topic and one that I may not be the best to answer. However, I’ll give it a shot, inshallah. As you are well aware, this subject has been discussed at length by scholars far superior to me in both Arabic and Islamic studies.

I am like you, someone raised and educated totally outside of Islam, and only in the last fifteen years have I come to know of these things. About your comment on the websites possibly containing US propaganda, you may be right.

However, it could just be religious propaganda from those who are not really concerned about presenting evidences based only on Quran and Sunnah, and this could stem from any religious people, or atheists or even Muslims who don’t particularlly follow the Quran and Sunnah. Allah Knows Best.

Balance

First, Islam has a balance in everything. The only thing that is totally and completely out of the question at any time, any place, any condition for any person – is to worship other than Allah. That is the complete and unforgiveable sin. (ref: Quran 4:48) Everything after that has conditions and there are clear rights and limits set forth by Allah for these conditions.

Islam is presented as being from Allah, in His Book as understood and presented by His last and final messenger, Muhammad, peace be upon him. And any and all who believe in Allah as One God, without any partners and that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant and messenger, are to be viewed as Muslims.

Requirements

A person is considered "Muslim" when the message is clear to them, they have publicly accepted it and they begin to follow the teachings of the Quran and sunnah (way of Muhammad, peace be upon him). [reference Quran 33:36; 4:65; 3:31; and many other places as well]

The hadeeth definitely are a part of the way of a Muslim and must be taken into consideration when deciding any matter of Islamic rulings. Scholars opinions are just that, opinions. As such, we as Muslims are responsible to investigate the sources for such decsions before passing these rulings on to others. Knowing and verify the source of information in Islam is actually a part and parcel of our deen (way of life as a Muslim).

I feel sure that you and most Muslims today would agree with what we have just outlined here and I only mention it for the benefit of others who may read this who are not yet completely into Islam.

Understandings

The worst thing possible for anyone to do, is worship gods beside God Allah. This is blasphemous and unforgiveable and a serious crime against The Creator.

The Old Testament, The Psalms and The New Testament totally agree on this important point:

Bible Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneatht the earth.; Deut. 5:8 (same as Exodus 20:4); Judges 6:28 the altar of Ba’al (a false god of the pagans) was torn down.

Groups

There have been different and various groups throughout the last 14 centuries who have broken off from the mainstream of Muslims calling themselves by different names and subscribing to somewhat different views on particular points, even in the worship itself.

For this reason we have to eliminate from our discourse those who are not adhering to what is considered by most Muslims today to be the center line or middle road of Islam based on the Quran and ahadeeth (plural of hadeeth). For this reason I will not be including rulings offered by those who do not base their opinions on the same source as the immediate companions of prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Rulings

Rulings on the drawing of pictures vary. The ruling on drawing or hanging pictures of living creatures (animals, birds, humans, etc.) is based on clear and verified teachings (hadeeth) of our prophet, peace be upon him, and should not be taken lightly. Some scholars have taken a very extreme position and not allowed the drawing of anything in the creation of Allah (trees, flowers, landscapes, etc.).

Others have ruled anything “creeping” could not be drawn (animals, birds, humans, etc.). And still others have permitted it for the purpose of educational and medicinal reasons. Perhaps all of this is correct in consideration of the hadeeths well known to us. However, there have been throughout the Islamic history, those who held somewhat different opinions based on their knowledge (or maybe lack of it?) to the extent they did permit certain drawings, or at least did not make it the major sin we have stated from others (above).

Minimums

Traveling around the world, I have found the drawing our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in any way or form, whether for good reasons or anything other purposes, is something considered by Muslims as forbidden or at least highly disliked in every place I have visited.

My opinion, is really based on the opinions of learned teachers whom I have met and interviewed on a number of topics. According to what I have understood from them, it is not permissable for Muslims to draw, sculpt or shape by hand any type of picture or statue or image (including graphics) of a human being. That is the minimum.

Limits

Limitations apply to the rest of what I understand on the topic. Animals and other living creatures also should not be drawn or sculpted, with certain exceptions possibly for helping children to learn and medical procedures requiring imaging. Being in a place where such images exit is definitely not good and removing them is better.

Advice to Muslims

Muslims, do not draw or shape creatures with your hands in an attempt to duplicate the creation of Allah. Refrain from offering any worship in places where such images exist. Attempt to discourage others from these practices as well, for the sake of Allah.

Advice to All

I would advise everyone whether Muslim or not Muslim to consider the attitude of respect for our prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to be something of a very important nature to over ¼ of the world’s population. Therefore to refrain from depicting him in any form, whether in a drawing, image, graphic or even in offensive languange or ellicit terms, such as protraying him in any way that might incur hatred or anamosity.

And again, it is Allah who Knows Best.

Until I hear from you, I pray Allah will always guide you to all truth and protect you from any evil.

Peace,

Yusuf Estes,

[Ruling 2006-07-11 14:40]

References:

Quran

Al Baqarah 2:51 Children of Israel worshipped a golden calf; also: 2:54; 2:92; 2:93; 4:153; 7:149; 7:150; 7:152; 20:86; 20:88; 20:91; 20:96

Hadeeth

Bukhari

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 299.

Narrated By 'Aun bin Abu Juhaifa: My father said, "The Prophet forbade the acceptance of the price of a dog or blood, and also forbade the profession of tattooing, getting tattooed and receiving or giving Riba, (usury), and cursed the PICTURE-makers."

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 318.

Narrated By 'Aisha: (Mother of the faithful believers) I bought a cushion with PICTUREs on it. When Allah's Apostle 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 Allah's Apostle! I repent to Allah and H is Apostle. (Please let me know) what sin I have done." Allah's Apostle said, "What about this cushion?" I replied, "I bought it for you to sit and recline on." Allah's Apostle said, "The painters (i.e. owners) of these PICTUREs will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, 'Put life in what you have created (i.e. painted).' " The Prophet added, "The angels do not enter a house where there are PICTUREs."

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 428

Narrated By Said bin Abu Al-Hasan: While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of '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 Allah's Apostle. I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a PICTURE will be punished by Allah 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 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."

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 440

Narrated By Aun bin Abu Juhaifa: 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 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."

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 299

Narrated By 'Aun bin Abu Juhaifa: My father bought a slave who practiced the profession of cupping. (My father broke the slave's instruments of cupping). I asked my father why he had done so. He replied, "The Prophet forbade the acceptance of the price of a dog or blood, and also forbade the profession of tattooing, getting tattooed and receiving or giving Riba, (usury), and cursed the PICTURE-makers."

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 318.

Vol 3, Book 34. Sales And Trade.

Hadith 428.

Vol 3, Book 43. Oppressions.

Hadith 659.

Narrated By Al-Qasim: 'Aisha said that she hung a curtain decorated with PICTUREs (of animates) on a cupboard. The Prophet tore that curtain and she turned it into two cushions which remained in the house for the Prophet to sit on.

Vol 4, Book 54. Beginning Of Creation.

Hadith 448.

Narrated By Abu Talha: I heard Allah's Apostle 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)."

Vol 4, Book 54. Beginning Of Creation.

Hadith 449.

Narrated By Busr bin Said: That Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani narrated to him something in the presence of Said bin 'Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani who was brought up in the house of Maimuna the wife of the Prophet. Zaid narrated to them that Abu Talha said that the Prophet said, "The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a PICTURE." Busr said, "Later on Zaid bin Khalid 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, "Didn't he (i.e. Zaid) 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."

Vol 4, Book 54. Beginning Of Creation.

Hadith 539.

Narrated By Abu Talha: The Prophet said, "Angels do not enter a house witch has either a dog or a PICTURE in it."

Vol 4, Book 55. Prophets.

Hadith 571.

Narrated By Ibn Abbas: When the Prophet 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 and Ishmael carrying the arrows of divination, he said, "May Allah curse them (i.e. the Quraish)! By Allah, neither Abraham nor Ishmael practiced divination by arrows."

Vol 5, Book 58. Merits Of The Helpers In Madinah (....

Hadith 213.

Narrated By 'Aisha: Um Habiba and Um Salama mentioned a church they had seen in Ethiopia and in the church there were PICTUREs. When they told the Prophet of this, he said, "Those people are such that if a pious man amongst them died, they build a place of worship over his grave and paint these PICTUREs in it. Those people will be Allah's worst creatures on the Day of Resurrection."

Vol 5, Book 59. Military Expeditions Led By The Pr....

Hadith 338.

Narrated By Ibn Abbas: Abu Talha, a companion of Allah's Apostle and one of those who fought at Badr together with Allah's Apostle told me that Allah's Apostle said. "Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a PICTURE" He meant the images of creatures that have souls.

Vol 7, Book 63. Divorce.

Hadith 259.

Narrated By Abu Juhaifa: The Prophet cursed the lady who practices tattooing and the one who gets herself tattooed, and one who eats (takes) Riba' (usury) and the one who gives it. And he prohibited taking the price of a dog, and the money earned by prostitution, and cursed the makers of PICTUREs.

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 833.

Narrated By Abu Talha: The Prophet said, "Angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or there are PICTUREs."

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 834.

Narrated By Muslim: We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw PICTUREs on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the PICTURE makers.'"

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 835.

Narrated By 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "Those who make these PICTUREs will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them. 'Make alive what you have created.'"

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 837.

Narrated By Abu Zur'a: I entered a house in Medina with Abu Huraira, and he saw a man making PICTUREs at the top of the house. Abu Huraira said, "I heard Allah's Apostle saying that Allah said, 'Who would be more unjust than the one who tries to create the like of My creatures? Let them create a grain: let them create a gnat.' "Abu Huraira then asked for a water container and washed his arms up to his armpits. I said, "0 Abu i Huraira! Is this something you have heard I from Allah's Apostle?" He said, "The limit for ablution is up to the place where the ornaments will reach on the Day of Resurrection."

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 841.

Narrated By Abu Talha: Allah's Apostle said, "Angels (of mercy) do not enter a house where there are PICTUREs.'" The sub-narrator Busr added: "Then Zaid fell ill and we paid him a visit. Behold! There was, hanging at his door, a curtain decorated with a PICTURE. I said to 'Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani, the step son of Maimuna, the wife of the Prophet , "Didn't Zaid tell us about the PICTURE the day before yesterday?" 'Ubaidullah said, "Didn't you hear him saying: 'except a design in a garment' ?"

Vol 7, Book 72. Dress.

Hadith 843.

Narrated By Salim's father: Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet but he delayed and the Prophet got worried about that. At last he came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, "We do not enter a place in which there is a PICTURE or a dog."

Vol 9, Book 87. Interpretation Of Dreams.

Hadith 165.

Narrated By Ibn Abbas: The Prophet said, "Whoever claims to have seen a dream which he did not see, will be ordered to make a knot between two barley grains which he will not be able to do; and if somebody listens to the talk of some people who do not like him (to listen) or they run away from him, then molten lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever makes a PICTURE, will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be ordered to put a soul in that PICTURE, which he will not be able to do."

Vol 9, Book 93. Oneness, Uniqueness Of Allah (Tawh....

Hadith 646.

Narrated By 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "The painter of these PICTUREs will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, Make alive what you have created.'"

Sahih Muslim

Book 4. Prayer.

Hadith 2115.

Abu'l-Hayyaj al-Asadi told that 'Ali (b. Abu Talib) said to him: Should I not send you on the same mission as Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) sent me? Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without levelling It. This hadith has been reported by Habib with the same chain of transmitters and he said: (Do not leave) a PICTURE without obliterating it.