The Most Severely Punished People on the Day of Resurrection will be those who try to Imitate Allah's Creation
Narrated 'Aishah radiallahu 'anha that Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam returned from a journey when I had placed a curtain of mine having images (tamathil) over (the door of) a chamber of mine. When Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam saw it, he tore it apart and said:
"The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who try the make the like of Allah's creation."
So she turned the curtains into one or two cushions / pillows. [Al-Bukhari, 7/542, no. 838]
In another narration he sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, " ... those who make these images." [Al-Bukhari, 8/83, no. 130]
In the narration of Muslim it contains the words, " ... he tore it apart and the colour of his face underwent a change." [Muslim 3/1159, no. 5261] In the narration of Az-Zuhri from Al-Qasim as reported by Muslim, " ... those who try to imitate (make similar to) the creation of Allah (alladheena yushabbihuna bi khalqallah)." [Muslim 3/1158, no. 5258]
Ibn Hajar discusses the words " ... a curtain of mine having images". In the narration of Abu Usamah in the Sahih of Muslim it contains the additional words, " ... curtains having images of winged horses on it". This hadith has been used as an evidence for the permissibility of possession of images (suwar) if they are those which have no shadow (two-dimensional) with the condition that they be of those which are walked over, trampled upon, and used in a degrading manner, like cushions, and pillows.
An-Nawawi said:
"This is the saying of the majority of the scholars from among the sahabah (Companions) and the ta'biin (students of the Companions). It is also the opinion of Ath-Thawri, Malik, Abu Hanifah, and Ash-Shafi'i. There is no difference (in this prohibition) between that which has a shadow and that which has no shadow. For if it was handing on a wall, worn as clothing, or a turban, or what is similar to that - of those things which are not considered to be in a state of degradation or dishonour - it is haram (prohibited)."
Ibn Hajar says there are some exceptions or objections to what An-Nawawi has mentioned. The following are some of those objections:
- Ibn Al-'Arabi, the Maliki faqih, has transmitted the opinion that surah (images) which have a shadow (like statues) are haram by ijma' (consensus) equally so whether it is in a state of dishonour or not. This consensus does not cover dolls which are played with by girls;
- Al-Qurtubi has related in his explanation of Sahih Muslim entitled Al-Mufhim, two sayings in reference to the images which are not meant to be permanent, like that made from clay. The most correct of the two sayings is that it is prohibited; and
- Ibn Al-'Arabi considers correct the opinion that the image (surah) which has no shadow, if it remains intact - not being torn or effaced - is forbidden. This, being so equally, if it is of that which is degraded or not. However if its head is cut off or its parts are separated then it is allowed.
Dislike of Entering a House where there are Images even if those Images were in that which is Sat Upon (i.e. Dishonoured) Like a Cushion
Narrated 'Aishah radiallahu 'anha, the wife of the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who said:
"I bought a cushion (numruqah) having images (tasawir) on it. When Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam saw it, he stopped at the door and did not enter. She noticed the signs of strong disapproval on his face. I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! I turn to Allah and His Messenger in repentance. What sin have I committed?' He said, 'What is this cushion for?' I said, 'I have bought it for you to sit and recline on.' Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, 'The makers of these images (suwar) will be punished (severely) on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them, make alive what you have created.' He sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam added, 'Angels do not enter a house in which there are images (suwar).' "
The first benefit that we get here is from the chapter heading which Imam Al-Bukhari wrote for this hadith, "Whoever dislikes sitting on images (suwar)." Ibn Hajar explains the meaning of the chapter heading as, "Whoever dislikes sitting on images (suwar) even if they were of those which are walked over and trampled upon." [Fath ul-Bari 10/403]
Angels Do Not Enter a House where there are Images
Abu Hurayrah radiallahu 'anhu reported Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam as saying:
"Angels do not enter a house (or any other place) where there are statues (tamathil) or pictures (tasawir)."
Whoever is pleased to have images in his house himself prohibits the entry of the angels. The angels do not enter because of their rejection and disapproval of the act of the image makers in violation of the laws of Allah, the Most High. The result of this is that the absence of the angels is an open invitation to the devils. According to some scholars the angels which are prohibited from entry are only the angels of mercy, and not all angels, since the angels who write the deeds of human beings (Al-Hafazah) do not separate from the human simply because of the presence of images. [Nuzhatu'l-Muttaqin, 2/1153, no. 1686 and 1688]
Ibn Hajar says its apparent meaning is that it is general (i.e. applicable to all angels).
Al-Qurtubi says:
"That which points to the recording angels being a special exception i.e. that they are not prevented from entering, has no supporting textual evidence."
From The Islamic Ruling Concerning Tasweer by Abu Muhamed Abdur-Ra'uf Shakir, published by Darussalam