The Ruling on Selling and Buying Statues and Idols

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, what has become widespread in this time in the shops selling children's toys is the abundance of idols in the shapes of animals, such as lions and leopards, and the size of these idols is large. Is there a word for those who buy and sell these things?

Answer:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the image-makers and informed that they are the most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection. If the images are in the form of statues, they are more severe and are forbidden by the consensus of the scholars. It is forbidden to sell statues, to manufacture them, and to buy them, and their price is forbidden. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited the sale of idols, and these are among them. Idols are images of animals, so this action is not permissible, neither selling nor buying nor keeping them, even if someone gives them to you as a gift without a price. It is obligatory for you to smash them and not place them in your house or in your office, because they are statues, and they are a means of shirk (associating partners with Allah), and they prevent the entry of the angels, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So what do you gain from this image except sin, evil, the entry of devils, and the refusal of the angels to enter your house? Yes.