Food in the shape of animate life

Question: Is it permissible to make and sell food in the shape of human or animals?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

There are opinions that allow both the making and selling of food shaped in the form of animate life, such as bears and humans, etc. (Hashiyat al Jamal ala Manhaj al Talib; Hashiyat al Qalyubi)

Please see:
https://www.aliftaa.jo/Question2En.aspx?QuestionId=3523#.XwSVS2ozY1A

That said, there is serious opposition to this position too. (Hashiyat al Jamal ala Manhaj al Talib; Hashiyat al Umayra; Hashiyat al Sharwani) Based on this position, it would be sinful to make such food, and sinful and invalid to sell it.

Given the difference of opinion, and given the graveness of created three-dimensional objects that mimic animate life, it would be better to avoid selling such items wherever possible.

Please also see:

https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/shafii-fiqh/is-it-permissible-to-paint-mini-figurines/
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/maliki-fiqh/the-maliki-view-on-pictures-of-humans-and-animals/

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language