Ruling on the Taxidermy of Animals and Birds

Q: M. H. M. from Riyadh says in his question: Some people taxidermy some animals or birds by placing salt, Dettol, cotton, and some materials inside them, then they place them in their living rooms for decoration. What is the ruling of the pure Shari'ah in this? Please give us a ruling, may Allah reward you with good.

A: It is not permissible to do such a thing because of the waste of money involved in it, and because it is a means to becoming attached to this taxidermied item, and to the belief that it wards off calamity from the house and its people, as some ignorant people believe. Also, it is a means to hanging images of living beings, following the example of those who hang the taxidermied item, believing that it is an image. The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, under my presidency and with my participation, has issued a fatwa stating what I have mentioned. And success is from Allah.