Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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:

Assaalam-Aliakum,
I read an answer about pictures and picture-makers on your website and a got a little upset. I have been drawing and sketching for quite a while and am really fond of it...but when i went through that answer, I came to know that it is not considered a good thing by Allah and our beloved Prophet.My question to you is that should i stop making pictures?plus, is it ok to make pictures of unanimated objects?  

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Picture of unanimated objects

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 no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: My question to you is that should i stop making pictures?

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4140 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘The Angels do not enter a house which contains a picture, a dog, or a man who is impure by sexual defilement.’

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.843 Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet (saws) but he was delayed and the Prophet (saws) got worried about that. At last he (saws) came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, "We do not enter a place in which there is a picture, or a dog."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834 Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448 Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

In light of the above absolutely clear evidence and guidance from the authentic Sunnah, it is evident that the making of animated pictures and portraits is absolutely despised by Allah Subhanah; and the believers who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day must abstain from it.

Your Question: is it ok to make pictures of unanimated objects? 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.428 Narrated by Said bin Abu Al Hasan

While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures." Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Messenger (saws). I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' " Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures, I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects."

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan