What is the ruling on keeping three-dimensional toys of living creatures, and what is the ruling on selling them and consuming their price, and what is the ruling on hanging them in the home for decoration only?
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The questioner : The question asks: What is the legal ruling on keeping three-dimensional toys of living creatures? What is the ruling on selling them and consuming their price? And what is the ruling on hanging them in the home for decoration or placing them in areas designated for antiques and ornaments?
The Shaykh : This question actually contains three issues.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The first question is: What is the ruling on children playing with these three-dimensional images? This is a matter for consideration. Whoever takes the general view that it is permissible for young children to play with dolls, as it is reported that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to play with dolls during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and she was young, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not forbid her, says that if we take the general view, it requires us to act upon it even with these precisely crafted three-dimensional images. And whoever says that the toys Aisha played with are not like the toys that exist today in their precision of craftsmanship says that this is forbidden. There is no doubt that the safest course is for a person to avoid what involves doubt. In this case, he can keep these toys in the hands of the boys, but he should soften them in the fire and then pinch their faces until their form changes and no complete face remains. Then the boys can play with them. However, it is better and more preferable to bring them other toys, such as cars, airplanes, and trucks, and the like, with which they can play without any doubt.
As for the second issue, it is hanging these or placing these three-dimensional images in places for decoration or keeping them. This is forbidden and not permissible. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sunan Abi Dawud 4155Sahih (Al-Albani) So a person should fear his Lord and stay away from such trifles. It is regrettable that some people who are considered wise have lowered themselves to the level of children, where you may see or hear that in their gatherings there are images of camels, or images of elephants, or images of lions, or the like, placed on tables for adornment and decoration. This is forbidden for them and not lawful for them, and it is obligatory for them to destroy these images.
And if they refuse to do so and insist that they remain, then it is obligatory for them to remove their heads. If they remove the head, then it becomes permissible to keep them.
As for the third issue, it is selling these three-dimensional images. Selling these three-dimensional images is not permissible, and buying them is forbidden, and their price is forbidden, because they lead to what is forbidden, and whatever leads to what is forbidden is itself forbidden. Also, their presence in a place, even if it is for displaying them for sale and purchase, prevents the angels from entering that place. And every place that the angels do not enter is deprived of good and blessing. Yes.
The Shaykh : This question actually contains three issues.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : The first question is: What is the ruling on children playing with these three-dimensional images? This is a matter for consideration. Whoever takes the general view that it is permissible for young children to play with dolls, as it is reported that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to play with dolls during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and she was young, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not forbid her, says that if we take the general view, it requires us to act upon it even with these precisely crafted three-dimensional images. And whoever says that the toys Aisha played with are not like the toys that exist today in their precision of craftsmanship says that this is forbidden. There is no doubt that the safest course is for a person to avoid what involves doubt. In this case, he can keep these toys in the hands of the boys, but he should soften them in the fire and then pinch their faces until their form changes and no complete face remains. Then the boys can play with them. However, it is better and more preferable to bring them other toys, such as cars, airplanes, and trucks, and the like, with which they can play without any doubt.
As for the second issue, it is hanging these or placing these three-dimensional images in places for decoration or keeping them. This is forbidden and not permissible. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
The angels do not enter the house which contains a picture.
إن الملائكة لا تدخل بيتاً فيه صورةAnd if they refuse to do so and insist that they remain, then it is obligatory for them to remove their heads. If they remove the head, then it becomes permissible to keep them.
As for the third issue, it is selling these three-dimensional images. Selling these three-dimensional images is not permissible, and buying them is forbidden, and their price is forbidden, because they lead to what is forbidden, and whatever leads to what is forbidden is itself forbidden. Also, their presence in a place, even if it is for displaying them for sale and purchase, prevents the angels from entering that place. And every place that the angels do not enter is deprived of good and blessing. Yes.