Prayer over Images
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 3316 )
Q: We inform you that we face some difficulties, some of which we have been able to resolve. The problems we encounter are related to the sermons we usually deliver after the advice we give to new converts. We give them the opportunity to ask questions. For example, recently we delivered a sermon to some new converts to Islam about image-making and statues and how they are forbidden in places of worship, as stated in the hadith. At the end, one of them asked a question we could not answer, but we promised to respond to his question after writing to you. His question was: The prayer rugs we pray on have images of lions
and leopards, and others. The questioner said: There are images of the Ka'bah in the mosques. Does this mean that the prayers of those who pray in such places will not be accepted? We are referring this question to you because it is beyond our knowledge.
A: Depicting anything that has a soul, whether human or animal, is forbidden, indeed it is among the major sins, whether the images are three-dimensional or colors on cloth or paper or on a wall, or woven with colored threads or otherwise. Acquiring them and keeping them is forbidden, and praying on them is disliked, not forbidden, because they are trampled upon, provided that the depiction is not for a necessity. If it is for a necessity, such as photographing for a passport, travel document, or ID card or the like, then it is permitted. As for depicting things that do not have a soul, such as mountains, rivers, seas, plants, trees, houses, and the like, without any images of living beings appearing in them or around them, it is permissible. Praying on them is disliked because they distract the worshipper and take away some of his humility in his prayer, but the prayer is valid. As for performing prayer in mosques that have an image of the Ka'bah, it is valid and there is no harm in it, because there is nothing that necessitates prohibition. However, it is better to refrain from placing images of the Ka'bah in mosques.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Q: We inform you that we face some difficulties, some of which we have been able to resolve. The problems we encounter are related to the sermons we usually deliver after the advice we give to new converts. We give them the opportunity to ask questions. For example, recently we delivered a sermon to some new converts to Islam about image-making and statues and how they are forbidden in places of worship, as stated in the hadith. At the end, one of them asked a question we could not answer, but we promised to respond to his question after writing to you. His question was: The prayer rugs we pray on have images of lions
and leopards, and others. The questioner said: There are images of the Ka'bah in the mosques. Does this mean that the prayers of those who pray in such places will not be accepted? We are referring this question to you because it is beyond our knowledge.
A: Depicting anything that has a soul, whether human or animal, is forbidden, indeed it is among the major sins, whether the images are three-dimensional or colors on cloth or paper or on a wall, or woven with colored threads or otherwise. Acquiring them and keeping them is forbidden, and praying on them is disliked, not forbidden, because they are trampled upon, provided that the depiction is not for a necessity. If it is for a necessity, such as photographing for a passport, travel document, or ID card or the like, then it is permitted. As for depicting things that do not have a soul, such as mountains, rivers, seas, plants, trees, houses, and the like, without any images of living beings appearing in them or around them, it is permissible. Praying on them is disliked because they distract the worshipper and take away some of his humility in his prayer, but the prayer is valid. As for performing prayer in mosques that have an image of the Ka'bah, it is valid and there is no harm in it, because there is nothing that necessitates prohibition. However, it is better to refrain from placing images of the Ka'bah in mosques.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.