The General Prohibition Against Making Images
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He says: I know that angels do not enter a house that contains a dog or an image. Is the image referred to here an idol, or a camera image?
Answer:
The hadith is general; it encompasses standing and three-dimensional images, such as the idols that are displayed, and it encompasses images made by camera or otherwise, if the image is hung or erected in a place. However, if it is trampled on a bed, on a chair, or on cushions, such trampled items do not prevent [the angels from entering], based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadith: when he was expecting Jibril, but Jibril was delayed, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) went out to him and said: Then the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that the dog be taken out; it was a puppy under a low table of theirs for al-Hasan or al-Husayn. He ordered that the head of the statue be cut off, and he ordered that the curtain be made into two cushions.
This indicates that what is on a cushion or a carpet does not prevent the angels from entering, because it is trampled. As for something hung on the wall, or on the door, or on the chair, whether hung or erected; this prevents [the angels from entering], and it is not permissible for it to remain, based on his (peace and blessings be upon him) saying:Riyad as-Salihin 1687.
Likewise, images kept for remembrance must be removed and obliterated. Nothing is excused from this except what is on cushions, carpets, chairs, and the like of what is trampled. Yes.
The presenter: Is there a word—if you would be kind—that you would mention regarding images out of necessity?
The Shaykh: Yes. As for making an image out of necessity; there is no harm in it; because Allah the Exalted said: [Al-An'am: 119]. Making an image is like [the permissibility of] following [the example of the permissibility], or in the permissibility for need, or for academic certification, if he cannot obtain it except with an image; there is no harm in that; because need may call for it; to prevent forgery.
So the point is: if it is for a legal need; there is no harm in it, such as following [the example], the permit, and the like. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah bless you, and may Allah reward you with good.
He says: I know that angels do not enter a house that contains a dog or an image. Is the image referred to here an idol, or a camera image?
Answer:
The hadith is general; it encompasses standing and three-dimensional images, such as the idols that are displayed, and it encompasses images made by camera or otherwise, if the image is hung or erected in a place. However, if it is trampled on a bed, on a chair, or on cushions, such trampled items do not prevent [the angels from entering], based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadith: when he was expecting Jibril, but Jibril was delayed, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) went out to him and said:
There is a curtain in the house with images on it, and a statue, and a dog. So [the Prophet] ordered that the head of the statue be cut off until it becomes like a tree, and he ordered that the curtain be made into two cushions to be trampled upon, and he ordered that the dog be taken out
إن في البيت سترًا به تصاوير، وتمثالًا وكلبًا، فأمر برأس التمثال أن يقطع حتى يكون كهيئة الشجرة، وأمر بالستر أن يتخذ منه وسادتان منتبذتان توطأان، وأمر بالكلب أن يخرجThis indicates that what is on a cushion or a carpet does not prevent the angels from entering, because it is trampled. As for something hung on the wall, or on the door, or on the chair, whether hung or erected; this prevents [the angels from entering], and it is not permissible for it to remain, based on his (peace and blessings be upon him) saying:
Spare no portrait unwiped out
لا تدع صورة إلا طمستهاLikewise, images kept for remembrance must be removed and obliterated. Nothing is excused from this except what is on cushions, carpets, chairs, and the like of what is trampled. Yes.
The presenter: Is there a word—if you would be kind—that you would mention regarding images out of necessity?
The Shaykh: Yes. As for making an image out of necessity; there is no harm in it; because Allah the Exalted said:
while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled
وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُمْ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِSo the point is: if it is for a legal need; there is no harm in it, such as following [the example], the permit, and the like. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah bless you, and may Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.