What Is the Ruling of Praying in Front of the Picture of an Animal?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question

What is the ruling of praying in front of a picture of an animal?

Answer

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

The general ruling is that it is disliked to pray towards a picture or in a room containing pictures, as it bears resemblance to a form of worship.
However, if the picture is not in your regular line of sight– i.e., not in your field of vision when looking towards your place of prostration, as per the sunna– the dislikedness would be lessened, and if high up may be excused altogether.
This is in the case of a complete, detailed picture of a living being. Otherwise, it would be considered an outline and excused.

See also: Can I Have Pictures in my House? Can I Pray in a Room having Pictures in it?

And Allah alone gives success.

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan, and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.