Hanging and Possessing Pictures
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions.
The picture that prevents the entry of angels is an animate picture
which is exposed or glorified. A picture which has no value, that is
stepped on or covered by a case (for a need) like a picture in a
passport or an identity card, etc. does not prevent the angels from
entering the house. The same thing applies to pictures which are
now so widespread that it is impossible to avoid them, like pictures on
coins, or schoolbooks, etc…, because it is difficult to prevent that.
Al-Khattaabi
said:
'The angels do not enter a house where there is a dog or animate
pictures, and this only applies to what is forbidden to possess, either
dogs or pictures. But what is not prohibited, like hunting dogs,
farm dogs and sheep dogs, and animate pictures on the carpet or a rug,
etc. does not prevent the angels from entering.'
Al Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh and Ibn Hajar are of the opinion of Al Khattabi
.
However, some other people of knowledge argue that animate pictures are
absolutely forbidden. These scholars include Imaams An-Nawawi and Al-Qurtubi
.
An-Nawawi
said
that it is due to that being an act of disobedience, or due to dogs
eating impure food, or because having a dog and pictures at home is
imitating the non-Muslims or for other reasons.
With regard to performing the prayer while wearing clothes which contain
pictures, this is disliked.
Allaah knows best.
