Models of Dolls and the Ka'bah
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Fatwa No. ( 20240 )
Q: I am writing to Your Eminence regarding the hardware stores that have spread in a strange manner, and they have not taken heed of the things that are forbidden by the Shari'ah. Among these forbidden things are models, whether dolls or models like animals of various kinds. Recently, models of the Sacred Ka'bah have spread among them; they have made them into medals, and some have made them into pen holders to be placed in
the office to hold pens or small papers. The question: 1- Are these models, whether of dolls or animals, forbidden by the Shari'ah? 2- Are models of the Sacred Ka'bah permissible , despite the fact that they are an insult to the Ka'bah? Because whoever buys this medal will put it in the toilet, whereas if it is a pen holder, it is insulted by placing pens and other things on it. Perhaps the ignorant among people will seek blessing from it? Because only foreigners from outside this country buy it... And when I wanted to advise them, they said to me: We have branches in Makkah and Jeddah; if it were forbidden, the stores near the Sacred Haram would have been prohibited from selling it. And I am in confusion: is the model of the Ka'bah forbidden or not? And likewise the model of the Green Dome of the Prophet's Mosque, which is surrounded by water, and with the water are small beads that revolve around the model of the Ka'bah, and likewise around the Green Dome.
A: First: The principle in the pure Shari'ah is the prohibition of image-making of beings that possess souls; due to the scriptural evidence that has come regarding the prohibition of images. But images that do not have a soul, such as trees, buildings, cars, and the like, there is no harm in making images of them and taking them as toys. Second: It is not permissible to manufacture a model of the Sacred Ka'bah or the dome over the grave of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor to trade in them; because their manufacture, trade, and circulation lead to prohibitions from which one must guard, and every door leading to them must be blocked. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I am writing to Your Eminence regarding the hardware stores that have spread in a strange manner, and they have not taken heed of the things that are forbidden by the Shari'ah. Among these forbidden things are models, whether dolls or models like animals of various kinds. Recently, models of the Sacred Ka'bah have spread among them; they have made them into medals, and some have made them into pen holders to be placed in
the office to hold pens or small papers. The question: 1- Are these models, whether of dolls or animals, forbidden by the Shari'ah? 2- Are models of the Sacred Ka'bah permissible , despite the fact that they are an insult to the Ka'bah? Because whoever buys this medal will put it in the toilet, whereas if it is a pen holder, it is insulted by placing pens and other things on it. Perhaps the ignorant among people will seek blessing from it? Because only foreigners from outside this country buy it... And when I wanted to advise them, they said to me: We have branches in Makkah and Jeddah; if it were forbidden, the stores near the Sacred Haram would have been prohibited from selling it. And I am in confusion: is the model of the Ka'bah forbidden or not? And likewise the model of the Green Dome of the Prophet's Mosque, which is surrounded by water, and with the water are small beads that revolve around the model of the Ka'bah, and likewise around the Green Dome.
A: First: The principle in the pure Shari'ah is the prohibition of image-making of beings that possess souls; due to the scriptural evidence that has come regarding the prohibition of images. But images that do not have a soul, such as trees, buildings, cars, and the like, there is no harm in making images of them and taking them as toys. Second: It is not permissible to manufacture a model of the Sacred Ka'bah or the dome over the grave of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), nor to trade in them; because their manufacture, trade, and circulation lead to prohibitions from which one must guard, and every door leading to them must be blocked. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.