Can I Fold a Blanket That Has An Animate Image on it?

Answered by Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra

Question

I wanted to ask a question about drawings of animals and human beings on blankets. I don’t use that blanket, nor do I cover myself with it, but my family members do.

Is it fine if I fold that blanket when I clean up the room so my mom doesn’t have to do it herself when she gets home from work, or is it forbidden?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

There is a difference of opinion in the schools of law over the drawing of animate images. In the Hanafi school, there is a prohibition on doing this (without need) as well as displaying them so as to give them respect. However, if the image is small or not detailed, or it is put in such a place that it is not respected (such as on the ground), then this is excused. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

A blanket with drawings on it (such as a baby blanket) is not for the purpose of displaying the image and can still be used without being sinful; however, it is religiously superior to avoid buying that if one has a choice. However, folding such a blanket or handling similar items with images on them is permissible because they do not take the same ruling of actually making those images themselves.

Related:
Is it Permissible to Have a Shower Curtain With Pictures on It?
What Is the Ruling on Drawing Images on Clothing and the Like?
Is It Permissible To Use Wallpaper With Decorative and Ornamental Images of Animals on It?
Is It Permissible To Pray on a Rug That Has Images of Animals Woven Into It?

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdullah Anik Misra
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1983. His family hails from India, and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen, for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan, where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography, and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the SeekersGuidance The Global Islamic Seminary. Currently, He resides in the Greater Toronto Area with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing, and poetry.