What is the ruling on using emoticons found in Messenger or forums (such as a laughing face, which resembles cartoon characters)? Are they considered pictures or animate beings?

"The ruling on cartoon films is detailed in Fatwa No. 31586. As for photographing only the face without the rest of the body, it does not reach the degree of prohibition applicable to the entire body. It is preferable for a Muslim to avoid it, as stated in Fatwa No. 32091. Regarding photographs taken by capturing shadows (photography), there is a difference of opinion among scholars. Some have forbidden them by analogy with drawn images, while others have permitted them due to the absence of the علت (reason/cause) of imitating Allah's creation, as mentioned in Fatwa No. 61299. A smile, if it incites fitna (temptation/discord), becomes forbidden for that reason."