INJUNCTIONS  ABOUT  HANGING  PICTURES

 By. Allama ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Bin Abdullah Bin Baz

Translated by Dr. Abul Hayat Ashraf

Question: What are religious injunctions regarding pictures hanged in houses and other places?

Answer: It is forbidden (haram) to hang the picture of a man or another soulful existence. The Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) commissioned to Sayyadana ‘Ali (Allah be pleased with him): “Do not leave a single image you find without wiping it out, and not a high grave without leveling it to the ground”. (Saheeh Muslim)

In another tradition ‘Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) narrated: “I had placed a curtain of mine having pictures over (the door of) a chamber of mine. When Allah’s Apostle (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) saw it he tore it; there was sign of hatred on his face and said: “O ‘Aisha! The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who make these pictures and it be said to them: “Make alive what you have created. The tradition is reported by Imam Muslims” and other traditionalists. However, if the picture is enclosed in a pillow or in the bed which is being used by man in such a manner that it amounts to insulting the picture or image, then there is no impediment in it. As it is proved from the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) that once Angel Gabriel (may peace be upon him) came to the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) but did not enter into the house. When the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) asked the reason. He said: “We do not enter a place in which there is a picture and a dog. So, issue an order to separate the head of statue and make two pillows out of the cloth, which is kept any where (under the head and body) and are trod. And ask to remove the dog the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) did accordingly and Angel Gabriel (may Allah’s peace be upon him) entered into the house. This tradition is collected by Imam Nisai with sound chain of authority. In the same tradition it is stated that it was a pub kept either by Hassan or Hussain (may Allah by happy with them both) under the bed stead. The Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) further said: “The angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture or a dog” (Agreed upon)

This incidence of Angel Gabriel (may Allah’s peace be upon him) also establishes that a picture on the bedding or other things, similar to them does not hinder the entrance of angels. This fact is also attested by this statement of ‘Aisha (may Allah be happy with her) that she made a pillow out of the curtain which remained in used of the Apostle (S.A.W.) of Allah.

FIGURES AND STATUES

Question: What are religious injunctions regarding those statues which are kept in houses for the purpose of beautification and are not worshipped?

Answer: It is not allowable to decorate houses, offices and/or general meeting places with pictures and mummified animals. This is established by those, sound traditions of the Apostle of Allah (S.A.W.) which declare that hanging pictures and statues in houses and other places in forbidden; because this is a means of the practice of polytheism, a contest with Allah in His Attribute of Creation and a remembrance with the enemies of Allah. Moreover, it opens the door of installation of hand-made statues and idols.

Islamic Shariah has closed all the doors leading to polytheism or sin. The people of Prophet Nuh (may Allah’s mercy with him) succumbed to polytheism only because of this act that they installed the pictures of five pious men of their times in their public courts. As Allah, the Most High, said in the Holy Quran, “(And they have said:) “You shall not leave your gods; nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa, nor Yaghuth, nor Yau’q nor Nasr. And indeed they have led many astray” (Surah Nuh: 23-24)

Therefore it is necessary to take care in not doing any deplorable act resembling to the practices of the people of Nuh (may Allah’s peace be upon him) which had become the cause of emergence of Shirk (polytheism) in his times.

According to an authentic tradition of the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.), he commissioned Sayyadna ‘Ali: “Do not leave a single image without wiping it out, not a high grave without leveling it to the ground”. This tradition is collected by Imam Muslim. Further, the Holy Apostle (S.A.W.) said: “Among the people receiving the harshest punishment on the Day of Judgement, will be the makers of figures”. All have agreed upon the authenticity of this tradition (Hadith). There are a number of traditions presenting the same theme.