That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever fashions an image, he will be punished by Allah until he breathes into it - meaning the soul - and he cannot breath (a soul) into it. And whoever listens to a people's conversation, while they have gone away from him for it, then He will have lead poured into his ears on the Day of Judgement."
He said: There are narrations on this topic from 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, Abu Juhaifah, 'Aishah, and Ibn 'Umar.
[Abu 'Eisa said:] The Hadith of Ibn 'Abbas is a Hasan Sahih Hadith.
The Book on Clothing - Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1751
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses two significant matters: the prohibition of image-making and the prohibition of eavesdropping on private conversations.
Commentary on Image-Making
The punishment for creating images of living beings is severe because it constitutes an imitation of Allah's creative act. Only Allah can breathe life into creation, and when humans attempt to create lifelike images, they trespass into divine prerogative.
Scholars explain that the most severe prohibition applies to images of beings possessing souls (humans and animals), particularly when they are three-dimensional. The punishment continues until the maker attempts the impossible - breathing life into the image - demonstrating the futility of competing with divine creation.
Commentary on Eavesdropping
Listening to people's private conversations after they have clearly indicated they do not wish to be overheard violates Islamic ethics of privacy and trust. The severe punishment of molten lead poured into the ears symbolizes the fitting retribution for organs misused to acquire what is forbidden.
This prohibition teaches Muslims to respect others' privacy and maintain ethical boundaries in social interactions, reflecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic moral guidance.
Scholarly Verification
Imam Abu 'Eisa at-Tirmidhi classified this hadith as Hasan Sahih (good and authentic), indicating its reliable chain of transmission and sound meaning. The supporting narrations from prominent companions like Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Hurairah, and 'Aishah strengthen its authenticity and importance in Islamic jurisprudence.