Is drawing haram?

Ruling about drawing in Islam

There is a lot of ambiguity about whether or not drawing is allowed in Islam. In this article you can read the correct ruling on drawing living beings (people, animals) and non-living beings (trees, sea, landscapes).

As you can see there are a number of opinions about drawing. Now the question is which opinion is correct according to Islam.

In this article you will find out the correct opinion about drawing living and non-living creatures. You will see examples, quotes from Salaf Saliheen and explanations of narrations, so that you know exactly what the correct opinion is.

Drawing animate beings

Islam forbids drawing living beings that have souls. These beings are the animals and the humans.

The creation of human or animal animations, paintings or cartoon/anime is not allowed. One should avoid depicting living beings at all times.

Aisha narrated: The Prophet (peace be upon him) entered my house while there was a curtain with pictures of animals hanging in the house. His face changed in anger and he grabbed hold of the curtain and tore it to pieces. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "People who make such images will receive the most severe punishment on the Day of Judgment." [Sahih al-Bukhari 6109]

Drawing, painting or animating living beings is thus a major sin in Islam. This act is avoided and hated for counterfeiting what Allah has forbidden.

Sa`id bin Abu Al-Hasan reported: While I was with Ibn 'Abbas, a man came and said, "I earn my livelihood from making images." Ibn `Abbas said: "I will only tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I heard him say: "Whoever makes an image will be punished by Allah until he puts life into it, and he will never be able to do that." After hearing this, the man became upset. Ibn `Abbas then took pity on him and said, "If you insist on making pictures, I advise you to make pictures of trees and other non-living objects." [Sahih al-Bukhari 2225]

The man earned his income from making images. In the eyes of some he would have strong reason to continue doing so, but Ibn Abbas countered this by following the revelation.

The same also applies to hobbyists who enjoy drawing people or animals. It can feel like a loss, and that is a test from Allah. The Muslim should then give up this hobby, and with the will of Allah this will be rewarded with a great reward.

Drawing inanimate beings

In Islam it is allowed to draw creatures that have no soul. These are flowers, trees, objects, clouds, etc.

Sa`id bin Abu Al-Hasan reported: While I was with Ibn 'Abbas, a man came and said, "I earn my livelihood from making images." Ibn `Abbas said: "I will only tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I heard him say: "Whoever makes an image will be punished by Allah until he puts life into it, and he will never be able to do that." Upon hearing this, the man became upset. Ibn `Abbas pitied him and said, "If you insist on making images, I advise you to make pictures of trees and other non-living objects." [Sahih al-Bukhari 2225]

There is nothing wrong with depicting non-living objects. For example, furniture, buildings, stars, water, moon, etc.

Painters, draftsmen and animators can therefore focus on these objects if they like to pursue their hobby or work in a permitted manner.