The Ruling on Carpets and Blankets Depicted with Animals and Praying on Them

The questioner : The questioner says: We have been afflicted with images in clothes, books, magazines, and carpets. What is the ruling on carpets and blankets that contain drawings of animals, and is it permissible to pray in rooms that contain such blankets?

The Shaykh : The reality is that, as the questioner said, we have been afflicted with these images. It is established from the Prophet If we take the generality of this hadith, it encompasses everything containing an image. However, the majority of scholars say that there is no harm in an image that is trampled upon, such as one on a carpet, and a person may use it. Nevertheless, I point out that a person should leave it out, even in things that are used up, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came one day to the house of 'Aishah and saw a cushion, meaning a pillow, with an image on it. He stood still, and she recognized the dislike on his face. 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "I repent to Allah and His Messenger. What have I done, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The people of these images will be punished. It will be said to them: 'Bring to life what you have created.'" Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered her to cut it in half. This indicates that even if it is in things that are trampled upon, avoiding it is better. So avoiding these images is better in all cases, even in carpets, pillows, and cushions. But there is also something else that people have been afflicted with, which is what is in magazines and newspapers. In my view, it is not obligatory for a person to obliterate everything he finds in magazines and newspapers because of the hardship. Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: And the person did not buy these magazines and newspapers for the sake of their images, but for the news and knowledge contained in them. Therefore, there are specific magazines for images that you find containing these images. These are undoubtedly forbidden, and it is not permissible for a person to bring them into his house. On this occasion, I say that it is obligatory for men to watch over women who are deficient in intellect and religion. Women are now afflicted with buying fashion magazines. You find a woman with one or two fashion magazines looking at them. This is part of the cultural invasion by which the enemies of the Muslims have invaded the Muslims in their own homes, and they do not know. What about these clothes, which may be forbidden in themselves, or may be forbidden because of the imitation they contain? Then they are also displayed in images, and I seek refuge in Allah, in high, alluring images. You see the image as tall, beautiful, and slim, with her hand on her waist, wearing this outfit, as if saying to our women: "Do what I did." It is obligatory for men, if they see such magazines in the hands of women, to take them and burn them, and to reprimand the women for keeping them, so that evil does not spread among us. I say that the Islamic countries, many of which have legalized much of the morals, were first afflicted with such magazines. They entered the people's homes, and people imitated them and took them bit by bit, until the fashion in many Islamic countries has become disgraceful. It is not permissible to one of sound mind, let alone one of religion. How are you? Yes.

The questioner : Praying in places where such things exist?

The Shaykh : Praying in places where these images exist. If they are from the things that are permissible, such as what is trampled upon according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, then there is no harm. If they are from the things that are not permissible, such as hanging pictures, then one does not pray in this place until the pictures are removed. And these hanging pictures are not permissible to be hung at all, no matter who the artist is. Some people put their picture in a frame and hang it in the sitting room, or put their father's picture, and sometimes they put their father's picture while he is dead, may Allah keep us safe. Some people put pictures of players, football players. People have desires and inclinations. The important thing is that all hanging pictures are not permissible, whoever hangs them.

The questioner : And praying on them, O Shaykh, meaning in the form of a spread-out mat.

The Shaykh : Praying on the mat itself, there is no doubt that it distracts the one praying. Satan is eager to distract the one praying, especially if there is an image in front of him, for it will distract him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed one day in a khamisah. A khamisah is a decorated garment with designs. He looked at its designs with a look, as came in the hadith: He was ordered to take this khamisah and give it to Abu Jahm, and to take Abu Jahm's anbijaniyyah in its place. So consider: the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) looked at it with a look. What about one who finds, who sees the images, sees the head, the hands, the legs, and the lines? Satan also brings other imaginations not present in the carpet. So it is obligatory, or what is recommended, for a person to avoid everything that distracts him from his prayer.