What are the parameters for the permissibility of drawing animate beings in the following cases: drawing a person from the head to the chest without the legs, or drawing a complete human without hands or eyes, or drawing only a head with full features, or drawing a complete person with one eye covered, or drawing a strange creature that resembles animate beings, or drawing only one side of the person, or drawing a complete human and placing a black line over the eyes? Is it permissible to draw a body for clothing design? Is it permissible to draw everything except the facial features? And what should be done with existing drawings?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The answer summarizes what is stated in *Al-Mughni* and *Al-Sharh al-Kabir* by Ibn Qudamah al-Hanbali: If a part of the image is cut off such that life cannot be sustained after its removal, such as the chest or abdomen, or if the head is separated from the body, then this does not fall under the prohibition. Similarly, if it was originally depicted without a head, or a head without a body, or a non-animal body, then it is not prohibited. However, incomplete images where the creature could still live are included in the prohibition and should be avoided.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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