Does G-d dislike statues?

Question

I am Jewish but I have a question about Islam.

My rabbi bought a bronze statue of the famed Greek pagan philosopher Aristotle. However, he does not consider it an idol despite what the Jewish philosopher Maimonides and Arab/Moslem philosopher Averroes says.[1] He bought the statue because Aristotle is one of his favorite philosophers, as well as a rationalist. Aristotle taught Alexander the Great and later Maimonides and Averroes would inspire many when they later taught both Jews and Moslems Greek truths.

But isn't this a violation of the Decalogue which states: “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness”?

Yes, it is. But my rabbi explained that most, if not all the biblical and fatwas commands were changed. For example, contrary to the second prohibition, all rabbis and imams allow making and owning pictures and statutes. Be it as it may, many ancient synagogues and mosques had statues like modern cathedrals today.

My understanding is that Islam says that Allah (G-d) forbids drawing pictures of Allah and forbids Muslims from depicting pictures or statues of Muhammad. However, many Muslims today own pictures of their families or loved ones and own statues of great philosophers. Some even have paintings of Jesus who they consider to be a prophet.

My question:

If Muslims and Jews can own pictures of families and statues of philosophers, why does the Qur’an forbids having a statue of Muhammad?[2] I understand that G-d has no body and is one; and so it is impossible, indeed the Torah and Qur’an forbids to imagine any image of G-d, much less praise Him, but what is the harm in having statues of people, like Muhammad in order to dismiss any notions of divinity. Surely, you do not wish to place him on the same pedestal of G-d, for Muhammad was not incorporeal.

[1] I say Maimonides and Averroes since both were born in the same city in Spain and both were rationalists.

[2] To my understanding Jews do not prohibit statues or pictures of prophets. This is why I focus only on Islam, and because that is my question.

Answer 1

The Quran does not forbid any image except for idols which are worshiped. Rather it narrates about images at the time of Solomon ^[1] and Jesus ^[2] عليه السلام. The view of most exegetes is that such images were permitted to the previous nations but were forbidden in Islam because of its nearness to the time of idolatry.

Hadith forbid images of a living thing (being with a soul), not just an image of Muhammad ﷺ. For example there are ahadith that tell us that angels of mercy do not enter a place where there are images ^[3], those that curse image makers ^[4], those that warn of severe punishment for them ^[5] and those that command the obliteration of images ^[6] .

As for the Imams, I will summarize the views of the Ahl al-Sunnah: There is agreement that all statues\sculptures of a living thing are forbidden. The view of the majority is that pictures (two dimensional) are also forbidden. A minority has considered any image (not made for the purpose of worship) to be permitted, but this is not an orthodox view and I do not know of any reputable scholar who has taken this stance.

Photography is a relatively new issue, and the view of the majority is that it is not a forbidden image but is more akin to a reflection (like in a mirror) and so is permissible. ^[7]

Regarding your question, the reason cited for the prohibition of images are: ^[8]

• To avoid imitation of Allah's act of creation. Having the intention to do so is Kufr.
• To avoid extremity in reverence for a being, as that can lead to misguidance.
• To avoid resemblance with the idolaters.
• To avoid causing an impediment to the entry of angels of mercy.

Answer 2

Image making is ill-regarded in islam with an exception

• I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Every painter will go to Hell, and for every portrait he has made, there will be appointed one who will chastise him in the Hell." Ibn 'Abbas said: If you have to do it, draw pictures of trees and other inanimate things.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

• "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'Whoever makes an image will be commanded on the Day of Resurrection to breathe the soul into it but he will not be able to do so.'"

[Sunan an-Nasa'i 5360]

The exception is this:

• I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (Fath-ul-Bari page 143, Vol.13)

So there is an opinion that dolls for little girls are allowed. And thus also other toys for children. And for further drawings/sculpturing, I think difference in opinion exists. (To what extent can we do it)

The drawings of prophets though, are a serious matter as they are insults to the perfect form in which Allah made them. Thus we believe the images of Jesus, Joseph and the others (peace be upon them all) are not real as God would not let that happen. Perhaps some people made them by reading description of how they had looked.

And Allah knows best