What is the ruling on the statues found in markets in the form of humans, birds, or animals, and what is the ruling on selling, buying, and keeping them in homes?

The questioner : What is the legal ruling on the statues found in all Muslim markets and homes in the form of horses, boys, girls, animals, and birds? Is it permissible or forbidden to sell, buy, and keep them in homes for decoration? And what is your advice to our Muslim brothers regarding this?

The Shaykh : The ruling on these statues found in homes, whether they are hanging or placed on shelves, is that it is forbidden to possess them as long as they are statues of animals, whether they are horses, lions, camels, or otherwise. This is because it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . And if the angels do not enter this house, then there is no good in it. So whoever has any of that should destroy it, or at least cut off its head and remove it, so that the angels do not refrain from entering his house. And you are amazed at men who buy such statues for dirhams, then place them in their sitting rooms as if they were children. This is Satan’s adornment for them. Otherwise, if they were to reflect on themselves, they would find that this is foolishness, and that it is not befitting for a person of sound mind, let alone a believer, to keep this in his home. Getting rid of this is achieved through faith and sincere determination until they eliminate it and remove it. If they persist in keeping it, they are sinful in that, and every moment that passes for them increases their sin. We ask Allah for guidance for us and for them. As for selling and buying them, it is forbidden, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . Therefore, it is not permissible to import them, nor to bring them in, nor to sell or buy them. It is also not permissible to rent out shops for this purpose, because all of this falls under the category of assisting in sin and transgression. And Allah the Mighty and Majestic says to His servants: . It is also forbidden to cover walls and window doors with anything containing images of horses, lions, camels, or others, because hanging images elevates their status, which falls under the general meaning of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): .
As for what is found of these images in carpets that are stepped on and worn out, there is a difference of opinion among the scholars as to whether it is forbidden or not. The majority of scholars hold that it is permissible. So whoever wants to be scrupulous and avoid it, and chooses carpets that do not have images of animals, is doing what is better and more excellent. And whoever follows the opinion of the majority of scholars, I hope there is no blame on him.

The questioner : May Allah reward you.