Some say that the operative cause of the prohibition of image-making is the worship of those images, but that cause has ceased to exist today!

Question:
I say: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Some say that the operative cause of the prohibition of image-making is the worship of those images and statues, but that cause has ceased to exist today, so image-making is permissible. What is the answer to that?

Answer:
Who is it that denies this cause? This cause remains until the Hour stands. The fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) increases as time passes and ignorance spreads. How can one say such a thing while seeing the worship of graves and shrines, and the attachment to relics and seeking blessing from them? How can one say such a thing? This is not correct. Rather, the confusion has increased now due to ignorance and the passing of time. The fitnah has multiplied. As time passes, the state of being a stranger (ghurbah) and the fitnah become more severe. Yes. This is a false statement. Say that this is a false statement. Yes.