Prayer and Pictures

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question: Assalamu alaykum

What is the ruling of praying with pictures of living creatures on one’s person?

Answer: Assalamu alaykum,

It is disliked to wear anything that has a depiction of a statue, a living creature, or a crucifix. This is unless the depiction of the living creature is very small, covered, missing a head, had a head but was effaced, or missing any vital body part without which, it could not live, if it were living. [Hashiyah Ibn Abidin]

It is even worse if the depiction is in front of one while praying, on the prayer mat, or anywhere which may seem that one is revering or worshipping such a depiction. [Hashiyah Ibn Abidin]

May Allah bless you
Allahu A’alam

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.