Is it permissible, according to the Maliki school, to draw unveiled or immodestly dressed girls, or those in tight clothing? What is the controlling principle in this regard, and is immodesty alone sufficient to prohibit such drawings?

The Maliki school of thought categorizes the drawing of animate beings into three sections: 1. Forbidden (Haram): This refers to a complete image of an animal that casts a standing shadow. 2. Permissible (Mubah): This includes images that are not of animals, such as trees, fruits, and clouds. 3. Disliked (Makruh): This applies to images of animals drawn on beds, walls, and other non-degraded items. As for degraded items, there is no dislike, though it is still better to avoid them.

As for drawing unveiled women (mutabarrijat), it is prohibited because it is a means to temptation (fitna) and arousal of desire, even if it does not cast a shadow. This is because a permissible means, if it leads to something impermissible, becomes impermissible. This falls under the principle of Sadd al-Dhara'i (blocking the means), a concept extensively elaborated upon by the Malikis.