Drawing faces with closed eyes

19-5-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum,
I attend an art club at my school (Islamic school) and the teacher said that it was okay to draw faces as long as the eyes were drawn closed. Is this true? She said that she asked a shiek, but I still have some doubts.
Jazak Allahu Khair

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

If the picture lacks a vital part with which the living being could not live, then some scholars are of the view that it is permissible, giving the evidence of the narration in both Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered ‘Aa'ishah to tear up the garment she had that was decorated with pictures.

Therefore, if what is pictured is only the face or the like, with which such pictured being could not live if it was meant to become alive, then it is permissible, Allaah willing. Nevertheless, leaving it entirely is better. For further benefit, please read Fatwa 82806.

Moreover, it should be noted that drawing the eyes closed in the picture is not sufficient to indicate the lack of the ability to live, since one could live while blind.

Allaah Knows best.