The Ruling on Defacing Disrespected Images
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There is a sound hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he ordered one of the Companions and said to him: (Do not leave a raised grave without leveling it, and do not leave an image without defacing it) Is there a sound hadith from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that there were disrespected images during his time, and is it better to deface them or leave them disrespected?
As for the one to whom the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) gave this advice, it was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). He advised him not to leave an image without defacing it, and in one wording, (not to leave an idol without defacing it, and not to leave a raised grave without leveling it). So, it is prescribed to deface images, especially those that are venerated, such as images of leaders, scholars, and rulers, and the like.And for this he said: (And do not leave a raised grave without leveling it) because a raised grave may be venerated in a way that leads to associating partners with Allah, and so are these images.
As for disrespected images, the majority of scholars have permitted them, citing as evidence the hadith of the cushion. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon 'Aishah and she had a curtain with images on it that she had used to cover her room, he disapproved of it, tore it apart, and made it into two cushions to sit on.The scholars said: This is evidence that if an image is disrespected, there is nothing wrong with it; because what is feared regarding images is their veneration. If they are disrespected, the fear is removed, and this is the position of the majority of scholars.
And some scholars said: It is not permissible to keep an image, even if it is disrespected, and it is not permissible for a person to spread out something with an image on it or to lean on something with an image on it. This is undoubtedly more cautious and safer.
The questioner: And what about illustrated magazines?The Shaykh: Magazines are of two types: a magazine of photography, which is not permissible, and a scientific magazine that sometimes contains an image, which is permissible; because the image is not intended.
The questioner: And what about children's clothing?The Shaykh: It is not permissible for a child's guardian to dress him in illustrated children's clothing.
As for the one to whom the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) gave this advice, it was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). He advised him not to leave an image without defacing it, and in one wording, (not to leave an idol without defacing it, and not to leave a raised grave without leveling it). So, it is prescribed to deface images, especially those that are venerated, such as images of leaders, scholars, and rulers, and the like.And for this he said: (And do not leave a raised grave without leveling it) because a raised grave may be venerated in a way that leads to associating partners with Allah, and so are these images.
As for disrespected images, the majority of scholars have permitted them, citing as evidence the hadith of the cushion. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon 'Aishah and she had a curtain with images on it that she had used to cover her room, he disapproved of it, tore it apart, and made it into two cushions to sit on.The scholars said: This is evidence that if an image is disrespected, there is nothing wrong with it; because what is feared regarding images is their veneration. If they are disrespected, the fear is removed, and this is the position of the majority of scholars.
And some scholars said: It is not permissible to keep an image, even if it is disrespected, and it is not permissible for a person to spread out something with an image on it or to lean on something with an image on it. This is undoubtedly more cautious and safer.
The questioner: And what about illustrated magazines?The Shaykh: Magazines are of two types: a magazine of photography, which is not permissible, and a scientific magazine that sometimes contains an image, which is permissible; because the image is not intended.
The questioner: And what about children's clothing?The Shaykh: It is not permissible for a child's guardian to dress him in illustrated children's clothing.