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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:

Salamvalekoum
I want to know, that Prophet Jesus Christ (PBUH) arrived in this world some 600 years before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Christians have image of the same , Why we dont have image of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Please advise.

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Answer:

Image of Jesus(a.s.) and prophet(saws)

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 7.834 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 (animate) picture makers.' "

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 7.845 Narrated by Abu Juhaifa

that he had bought a slave whose profession was cupping. The Prophet forbade taking the price of blood, and the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute, and cursed the one who took or gave (Riba') usury, and the lady who tattooed others or got herself tattooed, and the (animate) picture-maker.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450 Narrated by Abu Salim

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

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)."

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 (saws) saying, 'Whoever makes a (animate) 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."

It is absolutely forbidden in Shariah for a believer who sincerely fears Allah and the Last Day to make portraits, or draw pictures of animate creatures, or make images or sculptures of animate objects, etc.

Allah Subhanah has singled out ‘shirk’ or associating other deities with Allah as the one single biggest sin in Islam. Many amongst mankind through the ages used to make images and portraits of the pious amongst them or even only as a figment of their imagination, and as times and generations went by, the ignorant amongst them would start worshipping these images and thus involve themselves in the abomination of ‘shirk’! Thus Allah and His Messenger (saws) guided the believers to abstain from making and glorifying images and portraits, and thus eliminated the very root that might lead some amongst them to the evil path of ‘shirk’!

The guidance of Islam is so comprehensive that when Allah Subhanah Declares something as ‘haraam’ or prohibited….it is not only that specific thing which is forbidden, but Allah Subhanah guides the believers to abstain from everything that leads or might lead to the ‘haraam’!

For example: Allah Subhanah has Declared ‘zina’ (fornication and adultery) as ‘haraam’ for the believers…..thus every single thing that leads to this evil abomination of ‘zina’ is also deemed forbidden in Islam! The Guidance and Commands of the concept of the ‘hijaab’, the free mixing of non-mehrams of the opposite sex, the casual meeting of two non-mehram members of the opposite sex alone, etc. are all prohibited because there is a chance the violation of these guidelines may lead one to the abomination of ‘zina’.

Similarly, as seen in other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc…..these people made images of the pious amongst them, or images of some imaginary deities…and with the passage of time, the ignorant amongst them started their worship and thus involved themselves in the absolute abomination of ‘shirk’!

Your Question: I want to know, that Prophet Jesus Christ (PBUH) arrived in this world some 600 years before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Christians have image of the same , Why we dont have image of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

First and foremost, the Messenger of Allah (saws) himself, time and time again, strictly forbade the believers to make portraits or images of any animate objects….thus the companions who were blessed to see the Prophet (saws) in person never ever even thought of making an image of their beloved Prophet (saws), nor would it have befitted them to do so!

Secondly, the images that one sees today of the Noble Prophet Isa ibn Maryam (a.s.), or his chaste and honorable mother, Maryam, etc……may or may not be accurate. Depending on their sect or congregation, the Christians themselves have several different images and portraits whom they claim to be the Noble Christ (a.s.)….some congregations have even claimed that Prophet Isa (a.s.) was black, thus the image they have in their places of worship if one of a ‘black’ Jesus!

Besides, unlike our Christian brethren we do not worship the Messenger/s of Allah….but rather we worship in the ‘unseen’ Him Alone Who sent His Messengers in Truth unto mankind, The Creator, Sustainer, and Cherisher of the Worlds….Allah Subhanah wa Taala!

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