Hadith Text

I purchased a cushion with pictures on it. The Prophet (came and) stood at the door but did not enter. I said (to him), "I repent to Allah for what (the guilt) I have done." He said, "What is this cushion?" I said, "It is for you to sit on and recline on." He said, "The makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them, 'Make alive what you have created.' Moreover, the angels do not enter a house where there are pictures.'"

Source Reference

Book: Dress

Author: Sahih al-Bukhari

Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 5957

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes the prohibition of images depicting animate beings, particularly those with souls. The Prophet's refusal to enter demonstrates the gravity of this matter.

The statement "Make alive what you have created" indicates that image-makers will be challenged on Judgment Day for attempting to imitate Allah's creative power, which is His exclusive domain.

The exclusion of angels from houses containing pictures signifies the spiritual consequences of such images, as angels bring mercy and blessings. Their absence indicates deprivation of divine grace.

Scholars differentiate between various types of images - those with shadows (three-dimensional) being more severely prohibited than flat images, and images of creatures with souls being more restricted than those of inanimate objects.

Legal Rulings Derived

• Images of animate beings are prohibited, especially those intended for veneration or display

• Such images prevent angels from entering homes, thus depriving inhabitants of spiritual blessings

• Repentance and removal of such images is required when one acquires them

• The prohibition applies particularly to images that depict complete living creatures