Islamic Ruling on Buying, Selling, and Displaying Statues for Decoration
The ruling regarding statues placed in homes—whether hung or placed inside cabinets—is that acquiring and keeping them is forbidden (ḥarām). This includes statues of animals such as horses, lions, camels, and others.
This is based on the authentic statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3226; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2106/86]
When angels do not enter a house, no blessings (khayr) can exist within it. Therefore, whoever possesses such an item should either destroy it or, at the very least, remove its head and obliterate it, so that the angels are not prevented from entering the home.
It is astonishing that some people spend large sums of money to acquire such items and then decorate their living areas with them as if they were children. In reality, Satan has beautified this act for them, whereas, if they reflect sincerely within their hearts, they would conclude that this is sheer foolishness.
No person of sound intellect should engage in such practices—let alone a believer—placing such statues in their homes. Only through faith and strong resolve can one eliminate such items and be free from them.
If people persist in keeping them, they are sinful, and their sin increases with every passing moment. We seek guidance from Allah ﷻ for ourselves and for them.
As for the buying and selling of such statues, it is unlawful (ḥarām). The evidence lies in the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
“When Allah forbids a thing, He also forbids its price.”
[Musnad Aḥmad 1/293; Bulūgh al-Marām, 318]
Therefore, importing, exporting, or selling such items is not permissible. Even renting out a shop for this purpose is not allowed, as it constitutes assisting in sin and transgression, which is explicitly forbidden in the Qur’an:
«وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ» [المائدة: 2]
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”
Similarly, it is forbidden to hang curtains bearing images of animals such as horses, lions, and camels on walls or windows. Hanging such images is a form of elevating and honoring them, which falls under the general prohibition mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ:
“Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3226; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2106/86]
As for images of animals found on floor mats or carpets—which are trampled and dishonored—there is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding their permissibility. The majority of scholars are of the view that they are permissible.
However, whoever chooses to avoid them out of piety and caution, and refrains from using floor coverings with animal images, it is better and preferable. Yet, if someone adopts the view of the majority, it is hoped there will be no sin upon him.
[Ibn ‘Uthaymīn: Nūr ‘alā al-Darb: 2/253]
❖ Prohibition of Keeping Statues at Home
The ruling regarding statues placed in homes—whether hung or placed inside cabinets—is that acquiring and keeping them is forbidden (ḥarām). This includes statues of animals such as horses, lions, camels, and others.
This is based on the authentic statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3226; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2106/86]
When angels do not enter a house, no blessings (khayr) can exist within it. Therefore, whoever possesses such an item should either destroy it or, at the very least, remove its head and obliterate it, so that the angels are not prevented from entering the home.
✿ Wasteful Spending and Satanic Beautification
It is astonishing that some people spend large sums of money to acquire such items and then decorate their living areas with them as if they were children. In reality, Satan has beautified this act for them, whereas, if they reflect sincerely within their hearts, they would conclude that this is sheer foolishness.
No person of sound intellect should engage in such practices—let alone a believer—placing such statues in their homes. Only through faith and strong resolve can one eliminate such items and be free from them.
If people persist in keeping them, they are sinful, and their sin increases with every passing moment. We seek guidance from Allah ﷻ for ourselves and for them.
❖ Ruling on Buying and Selling Statues
As for the buying and selling of such statues, it is unlawful (ḥarām). The evidence lies in the statement of the Prophet ﷺ:
“When Allah forbids a thing, He also forbids its price.”
[Musnad Aḥmad 1/293; Bulūgh al-Marām, 318]
Therefore, importing, exporting, or selling such items is not permissible. Even renting out a shop for this purpose is not allowed, as it constitutes assisting in sin and transgression, which is explicitly forbidden in the Qur’an:
«وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ» [المائدة: 2]
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”
❀ Prohibition of Decorative Curtains with Animal Images
Similarly, it is forbidden to hang curtains bearing images of animals such as horses, lions, and camels on walls or windows. Hanging such images is a form of elevating and honoring them, which falls under the general prohibition mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ:
“Angels do not enter a house in which there is a picture.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3226; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 2106/86]
✔ Ruling on Floor Coverings with Animal Images
As for images of animals found on floor mats or carpets—which are trampled and dishonored—there is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding their permissibility. The majority of scholars are of the view that they are permissible.
However, whoever chooses to avoid them out of piety and caution, and refrains from using floor coverings with animal images, it is better and preferable. Yet, if someone adopts the view of the majority, it is hoped there will be no sin upon him.
[Ibn ‘Uthaymīn: Nūr ‘alā al-Darb: 2/253]