Drawing pictures of companions in an Islamic book for children

26-1-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

Salaam aleikum. I am working on an islamic cartoon book for children, which I also do some illustration to. I collect different stories, including some from hadith; f.ex the woman who was not nice to her cat. I also like to illustrate the story about the ansar companion (Amr ibn al-Jamuh-ra), who was attached to his statue of Manat for so long, that his sons had to through it in a pit ect. to make an excample. My question is; would it be acceptible to illustrate this companion in this collection of stories for children? JazakumAllah.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

We have already issued Fatwa 87864 clarifying that drawing cartoons for the purpose of educating children is permissible. This is in general, as regards drawing the picture of a particular companion, then this includes some religious prohibitions. For example, this may lead to degrading the companion in the hearts of a Muslim, and the latter would imagine him according to the picture he saw of him, which is undoubtedly not that of honour, dignity and respect which he previously imagined about him. Therefore, we are of the view that you should avoid drawing his picture and it is possible to narrate his statements without his picture, or that something else like a cat or anything which has a relation with the story of the companion is drawn instead. 

Allaah Knows best.

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