What is the ruling on children's toys that are in the form of statues, such as a doll, for example?
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The questioner : The questioner asks: What is the ruling on children's toys that are in the form of statues, such as a doll, a teddy bear, and others?
The Shaykh : A teddy bear?
The questioner : A bear, I mean, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : A bear, I mean. Well, certainly, the precaution is to avoid this. And you can buy for the child an image that does not have a cut-out face, eyes, nose, or lips. So it would be like a shadow. And this is available now, and praise be to Allah, it is found in the markets, and that is sufficient. Otherwise, it is well known that children desire such things; they desire them. You find them holding them in their arms and singing to them to quiet them down. And they bring them a blanket to wrap them in. In the winter days, they put them to sleep in the sun and cover them with a cover as well. In the summer days, they turn on the air conditioning and leave it in front of them. This is a realistic thing, I mean. Yes?
The student: Allah is the Helper.
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah is the Helper. So we must give the children some freedom, except in what is forbidden. Aishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), had toys that she played with.
In summary: As for what is in the form of a human being with a full face, eyes, nose, and lips, it is better—and I do not say it is forbidden—it is better not to bring them in. And what is like a shadow, meaning just a thing like a head, there is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : A teddy bear?
The questioner : A bear, I mean, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : A bear, I mean. Well, certainly, the precaution is to avoid this. And you can buy for the child an image that does not have a cut-out face, eyes, nose, or lips. So it would be like a shadow. And this is available now, and praise be to Allah, it is found in the markets, and that is sufficient. Otherwise, it is well known that children desire such things; they desire them. You find them holding them in their arms and singing to them to quiet them down. And they bring them a blanket to wrap them in. In the winter days, they put them to sleep in the sun and cover them with a cover as well. In the summer days, they turn on the air conditioning and leave it in front of them. This is a realistic thing, I mean. Yes?
The student: Allah is the Helper.
The Shaykh : Yes, Allah is the Helper. So we must give the children some freedom, except in what is forbidden. Aishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), had toys that she played with.
In summary: As for what is in the form of a human being with a full face, eyes, nose, and lips, it is better—and I do not say it is forbidden—it is better not to bring them in. And what is like a shadow, meaning just a thing like a head, there is nothing wrong with it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.