Is It Permissible To Pray on a Rug That Has Images of Animals Woven Into It?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question

Is it permissible to pray on a rug/carpet that has images of animals woven into the design? What if one prayed on a plain prayer mat that was placed on top of this bigger carpet with animal motifs?

Answer

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Yes, it is permitted to pray upon a rug with animal pictures on it as this is considered to be a humiliating deployment of such images. [Ala‘ al-Din Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]

However, you should not prostrate on the picture itself. Hence, praying on a mat on top of this rug would be fine.

Please also see: Praying in a Room with Pictures

And Allah alone knows best.
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani