The Ruling on Pictorial Toys Such as Dolls That Muslims Import from Western Countries
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The Shaykh : On this occasion, I say: The play of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is not the kind of play that Muslims today are afflicted with by importing from Western countries, which is known as dolls or figurines. This is because, first, they are not made in the home; this is the home in which a child grows up and is raised on the customs and traditions of the Muslim home. Rather, these toys come from Europe, sculpted and painted with plastic and the like, and they carry a large portion of the customs of the Europeans who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day, and who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden.
For example, the image sometimes comes small, and sometimes the girl carries it because it is light, and it is taller than her, sculpted like this, with curly hair, "swarovski" "swarovski", and a skirt they call a "kharatah" in some countries, or a skirt that reaches the mid-thighs.
These are the customs of the West and disbelief, which enter the homes of Muslims through these children's toys. This is not what is intended by the hadith of Aisha or the play of Aisha. Rather, it is what is made at home from scraps of cloth, where a hand and a leg and the like are attached to the doll. In this, there is practice and benefit for the girl; she grows up with what is known today as managing the household. There is absolutely no harm in this. Therefore, it is no wonder that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) permitted those images in the house of Prophethood and Messengership, in the house where Jibril (peace be upon him) used to descend upon our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), until he said to Aisha one day:.
In this house, the Messenger (peace be upon him) permitted Aisha to play with these. However, if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had seen these toys that have filled the markets and homes, my firm belief is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would not be pleased with that. Because we have cited, as evidence, the hadith of Aisha that these images, whether they are hand-made or photographic, are the same in terms of prohibition. However, an exception is made for what is necessary, where there is a predominant benefit and no harm. As for these toys we mentioned earlier, the harms are hidden beneath them. Therefore, it is not permissible to sell them, buy them, or bring them into the homes of Muslims for the idols.
For example, the image sometimes comes small, and sometimes the girl carries it because it is light, and it is taller than her, sculpted like this, with curly hair, "swarovski" "swarovski", and a skirt they call a "kharatah" in some countries, or a skirt that reaches the mid-thighs.
These are the customs of the West and disbelief, which enter the homes of Muslims through these children's toys. This is not what is intended by the hadith of Aisha or the play of Aisha. Rather, it is what is made at home from scraps of cloth, where a hand and a leg and the like are attached to the doll. In this, there is practice and benefit for the girl; she grows up with what is known today as managing the household. There is absolutely no harm in this. Therefore, it is no wonder that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) permitted those images in the house of Prophethood and Messengership, in the house where Jibril (peace be upon him) used to descend upon our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), until he said to Aisha one day:
O Aisha, this is Jibril sending you his greetings. She said: And upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah. And in another authentic narration: Upon you and upon him be peace, O Messenger of Allah. You see what we do not see.
يا عائشة هذا جبريل يقرئك السلام، قالت: وعليك السلام يا رسول الله -وفي رواية أخرى صحيحة-: عليك وعليه السلام يا رسول الله ترى ما لا نرىIn this house, the Messenger (peace be upon him) permitted Aisha to play with these. However, if the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had seen these toys that have filled the markets and homes, my firm belief is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) would not be pleased with that. Because we have cited, as evidence, the hadith of Aisha that these images, whether they are hand-made or photographic, are the same in terms of prohibition. However, an exception is made for what is necessary, where there is a predominant benefit and no harm. As for these toys we mentioned earlier, the harms are hidden beneath them. Therefore, it is not permissible to sell them, buy them, or bring them into the homes of Muslims for the idols.