Picture diagrams cartoon in books: what's the ruling about diagrams in our books?

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Prayer in a house having pictures is not allowed. What’s the ruling about diagrams in our books? 

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Answer:

Pictures and Drawing portraits

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.841   Narrated by Abu Talha

The Messenger of Allah (saws)  said, "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house where there are (animate) pictures."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450   Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.) promised the Prophet (saws) that he would visit him, but Jibrael (a.s.) did not come, and later on he said, "We, Angels, do not enter a house which contains a (animate) picture,  or a dog."

In light of the above quoted guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws), the Angels of Mercy do not enter a house wherein pictures or portraits of animate creatures are displayed.  To the best of our knowledge, we have not come accross any authentic hadith which states that prayers offerred in a house where animate pictures are portrayed is not acceptable to Allah Subhanah. 

The vast majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that the prohibition applies only to the animate pictures which are displayed in one's homes.  If one has pictures in books, or magazines, or on their phones, or secured in their photo albums for memory, etc.....there is no harm. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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