What is the ruling on drawing animate beings with incomplete creation (such as only the head and chest), and is it permissible to adopt the concession of some scholars in this regard? What is meant by the hadith "the image is the head," and is degradation a condition for the permissibility of incomplete drawing?

Summary of the Answer: Scholars have differed on the ruling regarding drawing animate beings (non-three-dimensional images), with the majority holding it to be prohibited. However, the Malikis permit it with a degree of dislike (karahah), and this dislike is removed if the images depict a severed limb without which life cannot persist. Among the arguments for permissibility is the hadith "except for a design on a garment," and the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions' use of dinars and dirhams that bore images. Those who advocate prohibition, on the other hand, based their argument on the unrestricted nature of the hadiths cursing image-makers. Many scholars make an exception from the prohibition for images lacking a part essential for life, such as headless images. In conclusion, many scholars deem it permissible to draw images that lack a part essential for life. As for drawing complete images, the majority holds it to be prohibited.