Is it forbidden to keep statues as artifacts in museums, and why?
It is not permissible to keep statues of animate beings, whether in museums or elsewhere, due to the prophetic traditions that forbid it, such as the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Gabriel, peace be upon him, came to me and said: 'I came to you last night, and nothing prevented me from entering except that there were statues at the door, and there was a curtain with images in the house...'" and the saying of Ali to Abu al-Hayyaj al-Asadi: "I send you on the same mission the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent me: 'Do not leave any elevated grave without leveling it, nor any statue without effacing it.'" These hadiths indicate a general prohibition against acquiring statues, and there is no evidence that exempts their existence as antiquities.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 75751
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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