Reading and commentary on a paper by one of the writers regarding image-making and its ruling.

The Shaykh : ... , did the carpenter intend this imitation of Allah (Mighty and Majestic)? ... He intended to live as most painters do today, and yet Ibn 'Abbas rebuked him and ordered him to depict only that which has no soul. He said: "And among what is forbidden to depict and possess are images whose owners are sanctified with religious sanctity"; this statement contains nothing, rather it is agreed upon. "As for images other than that, excluding some images that are worshipped besides Allah, among images and paintings; if they are of that which has no soul, such as images of plants, trees, seas, ships, mountains, the sun, the moon, stars, and similar natural scenes, then there is no blame on the one who depicts them or possesses them, and there is no dispute in this." And he is correct in saying so. "And if the images are of that which has a soul, and do not contain the aforementioned prohibitions; that is, they are not among what is sanctified and exalted, and the intention is not to imitate the creation of Allah; then what I see is that they are not forbidden - either - and a number of authentic hadiths have come regarding this."
Before reciting the hadiths to which the commentary referred, we must comment on these two lines: "And if the images are of that which has a soul, and do not contain the aforementioned prohibitions; that is, they are not among what is sanctified and exalted, and the intention is not to imitate the creation of Allah; then what I see is that they are not forbidden - either." Here the author faces a very serious logical challenge, and I do not know how he would escape it if he were reminded of it, for the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not rebuke the Lady 'A'ishah for her curtain, on which were images of winged horses. Did she place this curtain to exalt it or to worship what was in it besides Allah (Mighty and Majestic)? Is it thought that 'A'ishah did this? Of course not. So why did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) rebuke her for this curtain? And why did he tear it up - which is also a waste of wealth? The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as you know, forbade idle talk, excessive questioning, and the waste of wealth. If we are certain that the Lady 'A'ishah was not worshipping this image, how is it correct to attribute the Messenger's rebuke of images to the fact that they are worshipped besides Allah (Mighty and Majestic)? There is no doubt that such a challenge applies to one who does not scrutinize the hadiths and their correct implications or descriptions.