[Q 529] Pictures of Humans and Animals

QUESTION:

Would photographs of human beings/ animals fall under tasweer?

ANSWER:

In the blessed Ahadith (ahadith – prophetic traditions), prohibition has been mentioned regarding Tasweer (tasweer – images/pictures of living beings). By this, images of living beings are intended. Therefore, pictures of human beings or animals in which their faces are present are impermissible and Haram (haram – unlawful).

As for teddy bears and similar images, the Shar‘i ruling is that they will fall under the ruling of Tasweer when they represent a living being, meaning that such a living creature actually exists in reality, such as a cat, rabbit, bear, etc. Therefore, if such teddy figures are placed in front of a person performing Salah (salah – prayer) with the intention of respect, and all their body parts are complete (i.e., not just a face, hand, or foot alone), then the Salah will become Makruh Tahrimi (makruh tahrimi – severely disliked). Purchasing such items is also impermissible and sinful.

However, if such teddy-like figures are not of living beings, such as when eyes and a nose are made on objects like a car, tree, or mountain, then they do not fall under the ruling of Tasweer. In such a case, if they are present in front of a person praying, no dislike will occur in the Salah.

It is stated in Fatawa Razawiyyah:

“A picture can never truly contain life; the difference lies only in representation and the understanding of the observer. If the representation indicates life in the depicted object, such that the observer perceives it as though he is looking at a living being, then that picture is of a living being. And if it does not represent life, and the observer understands from looking at it that it is not the form of a living being but rather lifeless and without a soul, then that picture is of a non-living being.”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 24, Page 587, Raza Foundation)

For further details regarding pictures in Salah, please study our other related Fatawa.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 29th January 2026