That Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani narrated to him something in the presence of Sa`id bin 'Ubaidullah Al- Khaulani who was brought up in the house of Maimuna the wife of the Prophet. Zaid narrated to them that Abu Talha said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a picture." Busr said, "Later on Zaid bin Khalid fell ill and we called on him. To our surprise we saw a curtain decorated with pictures in his house. I said to Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani, "Didn't he (i.e. Zaid) tell us about the (prohibition of) pictures?" He said, "But he excepted the embroidery on garments. Didn't you hear him?" I said, "No." He said, "Yes, he did."
Beginning of Creation - Sahih al-Bukhari 3226
The narration begins with Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani relating a hadith in the presence of Sa'id bin 'Ubaidullah Al-Khaulani, who was raised in the household of Maimuna, the noble wife of the Prophet (ﷺ). This chain of transmission demonstrates the careful preservation of Prophetic traditions through reliable narrators who maintained close connections to the Prophet's household.
The Prohibition of Images
The core teaching states: "The Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a picture." Scholars explain that this prohibition primarily applies to images of animate beings - humans and animals - that possess souls. The wisdom behind this prohibition includes preventing imitation of Allah's creative act and avoiding potential shirk (associating partners with Allah) that may develop from image veneration.
The exclusion of angels from such houses indicates the spiritual pollution caused by these images, as angels are pure beings who distance themselves from anything that contradicts tawhid (monotheism) or resembles the practices of previous nations who fell into idolatry through image worship.
The Exception for Embroidery
The subsequent clarification regarding embroidery on garments represents an important scholarly distinction. Classical commentators like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that two-dimensional images on fabrics that cannot stand on their own and are walked upon or used practically carry a different ruling than free-standing images intended for display.
This exception demonstrates the principle in Islamic jurisprudence of considering the purpose and usage of images. Embroidery on clothing serves practical purposes rather than being made for veneration or display as artistic objects, thus falling under a more lenient ruling.
Practical Application and Scholarly Consensus
The incident where Busr noticed the decorated curtain in Zaid's house and the subsequent clarification from Ubaidullah illustrates how the companions understood and applied this teaching. It shows their meticulousness in following Prophetic guidance while recognizing the permitted exceptions.
Major classical scholars including Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi'i, and Imam Ahmad maintained that the strict prohibition applies to images of animate beings that are made for display, while images on carpets, cushions, and garments that are walked upon or used practically are generally permitted based on this and other authentic narrations.