What is the ruling on forming flat clay panels to create artworks resembling paintings made with a brush, and does the ruling on forming mosques or houses with clay differ from the ruling on forming birds and humans?
Shaping clay is a form of image-making, and what is forbidden among these is that which depicts living beings, whether humans or animals, due to the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Whoever makes an image in this world will be commanded on the Day of Resurrection to breathe a spirit into it, and he will not be able to do so." As for what is permissible, it is that which depicts non-living things, such as mosques, houses, and trees.
It is also not permissible to shape clay to represent places of innovation (bid'ah) or disobedience (ma'asi), such as temples, graves, banks, and theaters, nor artistic models of the Two Holy Mosques, due to what they might contain in terms of images that could lead to (polytheism). The noble verse in Surat Al-Ma'idah confirms the prohibition of shaping clay into the form of a bird, and what Jesus, peace be upon him, did was by Allah's permission as a miracle. Thus, forbidden image-making includes everything that depicts a living being, even if it is imaginary.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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