Is it Forbidden to Make Pictures
& Statues?
by Yousef Al Shamsi

Is it forbidden to make pictures & statues?

Unfortunately, the stance of Islam on this issue has been grossly misunderstood. It is not true that Islam prohibits pictures and portraits in the absolute sense.It is unrealistic to think that such an absurd prohibition actually comes from God,since God clearly says that his laws are not old superstition or ancient tales.

It is not a hidden fact that the Quran condemns idol worship of all sorts.This is an excuse used by Traditionalists to forbid drawing,yet they have no power to forbid the 'zeenah'(beautiful ornaments) that God has given to these people

Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of God, which He hath produced for His
servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.
Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to God, for which He
hath given no authority; and saying things about God of which ye have no knowledge. (7:32-33)

Only statues used for idol worship is are truly forbidden.

The Quran also tells us the story of Solomon,a prophet of God & righteous person, who had a beautiful palace filled with statues

They worked for him as he desired, (making) arches, images, basons as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places): "Work ye, sons of David, with thanks! but few of My servants are grateful!" (34:14)