It is said that there are decorative mirrors containing preserved images covered with glass. Are these mirrors permissible to hang for decoration in living rooms and other places, or not? Please issue a ruling for us.
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The questioner : It is said that there are decorative mirrors containing preserved images covered with glass. Are these mirrors permissible to hang for decoration in living rooms and other places, or not? Please issue a ruling for us. May Allah reward you for us.
The Shaykh : We say that, in our view, it is not permissible to spend money on them, meaning that it is not permissible for a person to buy such preserved images because they are not intended for a legitimate religious purpose. They offer no benefit, neither in religion nor in this world. At most, they are merely decorative displays that yield nothing. Therefore, it is not permissible for a person to spend money buying such preserved images. However, if these preserved images are bought for the sake of knowledge, to observe Allah’s creations, and to contemplate what is in them, this is a benefit, and there is nothing wrong with a person buying them for this purpose, such as what is found in some school laboratories. There is no harm in buying them for that purpose.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : We say that, in our view, it is not permissible to spend money on them, meaning that it is not permissible for a person to buy such preserved images because they are not intended for a legitimate religious purpose. They offer no benefit, neither in religion nor in this world. At most, they are merely decorative displays that yield nothing. Therefore, it is not permissible for a person to spend money buying such preserved images. However, if these preserved images are bought for the sake of knowledge, to observe Allah’s creations, and to contemplate what is in them, this is a benefit, and there is nothing wrong with a person buying them for this purpose, such as what is found in some school laboratories. There is no harm in buying them for that purpose.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.