Impermissible art in Islam

[Wasp]

What kind of art is prohibited in Islam? Are there specific art forms that are prohibited and specific types of works that are prohibited within certain art forms?

Particularly I am interested in what kind of drawings/paintings are permitted/not permitted.

I would like to see sources for your views on this if you have any.

 

[Ellen Brown]

What kind of art is prohibited in Islam? Are there specific art forms that are prohibited and specific types of works that are prohibited within certain art forms?

Particularly I am interested in what kind of drawings/paintings are permitted/not permitted.

I would like to see sources for your views on this if you have any.

Can't give you the verses. I spent a lot of time corresponding with an American woman who had married a Saudi guy. They had both met in College, he taking a degree in Engineering and she taking one in Literature and Education. They subsequently had two girls and went to Saudi Arabia post 9/11. The girls are likely in their 20s now and I think the girls and she are not in Saudi Arabia any more.

Apparently, she was told to destroy all photos of any living thing. She refused to destroy the photos of her family, and could not display them. She was not allowed to have a Dog because they are Haram in the house. She was allowed a Cat but could not have a photo of it. I "think" that none of their art can be of living things? To me, that is pretty superstitious.

 

[Wasp]

Can't give you the verses. I spent a lot of time corresponding with an American woman who had married a Saudi guy. They had both met in College, he taking a degree in Engineering and she taking one in Literature and Education. They subsequently had two girls and went to Saudi Arabia post 9/11. The girls are likely in their 20s now and I think the girls and she are not in Saudi Arabia any more.

Apparently, she was told to destroy all photos of any living thing. She refused to destroy the photos of her family, and could not display them. She was not allowed to have a Dog because they are Haram in the house. She was allowed a Cat but could not have a photo of it. I "think" that none of their art can be of living things? To me, that is pretty superstitious.

I'm familiar with a hadith that says pictures of people in the house (on the walls) is prohibited and dogs as well (in the house). But the idea that you can't own pictures sounds ridiculous. I believe the prohibition refers to hand made pictures, but I don't know if it is permissable to put a photograph on the wall.

"Ibn As-Sabbaq said: "Maimunah told me that Jibril, peace be upon him, said to the Messenger of Allah 'We (Angles) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture, The next day the Messenger of Allah commanded that all dogs be killed, even small dogs."'

Hadith - The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering - Sunan an-Nasa'i - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

 

[Ellen Brown]

I'm familiar with a hadith that says pictures of people in the house (on the walls) is prohibited and dogs as well (in the house). But the idea that you can't own pictures sounds ridiculous. I believe the prohibition refers to hand made pictures, but I don't know if it is permissable to put a photograph on the wall.

"Ibn As-Sabbaq said: "Maimunah told me that Jibril, peace be upon him, said to the Messenger of Allah 'We (Angles) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture, The next day the Messenger of Allah commanded that all dogs be killed, even small dogs."'

Hadith - The Book of Hunting and Slaughtering - Sunan an-Nasa'i - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Yet even in KSA, Dogs are used as herd dogs.