Why Dont Muslims Draw Animals or People

To cut it short, in my spare time, I love to draw and paint. Most of the time I draw human figures - basically portrait drawings and paintings from photographs and pictures.

Last week, my dad's distant friend who is a devoted Muslim came to visit us and saw my work and started lecturing me that I would go to hell if didn't stop drawing animate objects and that I am taking over God's work in my hands (huh ). From my childhood, I've been encouraged to draw by my parents and they never ever told me off from doing that and to be honest I am quite offended now by his "religious sermon". The worse thing is now my parents are trying to dissuade me from drawings human figures and I've been getting disapproving looks from them.

I love drawing, it's the only talent and hobby I have. I don't even understand what's wrong with it - Arabic, Turkish and Mughal art is full of drawings/paintings of men and women who are even sometimes portrayed as nudes. And to me it started to seem very hypocritical. Whenever I draw I'm not imagining myself as God for goodness sake .

I just know that I can't abandon drawing; I would feel too empty and unsatisfied. But suddenly, I feel slightly guilty whenever I begin to draw and the fact that my parents are getting agitated about it is making it worse.

I don't usually post my personal problems on TSR, but I am looking for some advice really. Perhaps some Muslims here can elaborate on this?

Go by what your parents have taught you. Sometimes its necessary in some circumstances to adapt Islam to this modern day and age.

Oh I thought you were having trouble drawing Muslims, I was gonna say just get your black felt-tip and draw a black blob. Voila! Portrait of a Muslim woman in burkha.

But nah man, that guy is a douche. There's nothing in religion against art (unless you're drawing the prophet Mohammed or something!)

I think art is a very personal thing. Both in terms of what you do draw, how you see the objects you're drawing and how those objects are eventually portrayed. As such, you should do art that makes you happy, but not everyone will like it or see it the same way you do. You should carry on drawing and painting in disregard of religion, because for me, that just seems like a way of limiting your enjoyment of life and also what you're able to do.

(Original post by HumanNature1992)
Go by what your parents have taught you. Sometimes its necessary in some circumstances to adapt Islam to this modern day and age.

You mean I should give up art?

Out of curiosity, what do Muslims do for fun (if they have fun), apart from preying five times a day and reading the Koran ?

My mate was told the same thing, but you know what? she still carries on drawing (plus her parents dont mind anyway) her drawings are ****ing awesome

There is nothing against drawing in Islam, unless you are trying to draw God or Prophets.
Those that believe drawing people is wrong are mostly wahabi/salafi type and some extreme sunnis.

No I meant what they instilled in you initially - let you continue to draw. If I was any good at art i'd draw - my parents would be fine about it. There are just somethings you've got look at in a modern perspective! Art, Music etc..

(Original post by HumanNature1992)
No I meant what they instilled in you initially - let you continue to draw. If I was any good at art i'd draw - my parents would be fine about it. There are just somethings you've got look at in a modern perspective! Art, Music etc..

Yeah, but as I said they are now trying to dissuade me from drawing.

As they're ageing, they're getting more religious day by day.

(Original post by moh89)
There is nothing against drawing in Islam, unless you are trying to draw God or Prophets.
Those that believe drawing people is wrong are mostly wahabi/salafi type and some extreme sunnis.

No I am not,

but drawing humans and animals is regarded as a sin in Islam.

(Original post by lonely14)
Yeah, but as I said they are now trying to dissuade me from drawing.

As they're ageing, they're getting more religious day by day.

I understand but if its really a passion of yours, just sit down and explain it to them. How much it means to you and how MINOR of a deal it is - after all Allah is the most merciful. It's not like you've done anything major, you haven't raped or killed anyone. Just explain to them exactly how you feel and how much its a passion of yours.

Also like someone else said, are you sure its a sin? I've never heard a definitive answer as whether it is one. Possibly look online and gather information on what opinions are of drawing in Islam

(Original post by HumanNature1992)
I understand but if its really a passion of yours, just sit down and explain it to them. How much it means to you and how MINOR of a deal it is - after all Allah is the most merciful. It's not like you've done anything major, you haven't raped or killed anyone. Just explain to them exactly how you feel and how much its a passion of yours.

Also like someone else said, are you sure its a sin? I've never heard a definitive answer as whether it is one. Possibly look online and gather information on what opinions are of drawing in Islam

I had a look on internet and this Hadith (not sure if its called a Hadith) came up.

"And Muslim (2110) narrated that Sa'eed ibn Abi'l-Hasan said: A man came to Ibn 'Abbaas and said: I am a man who makes these images; advise me about that. He said to him: Come close to me. So he came closer to him. He said: Come closer to me. So he came closer to him, until he put his hand on his head and said: I will tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image that he made, a soul will be created which will punish him in Hell." He said: If you must do that, then make (images of) trees and inanimate things."

It clearly says it's a sin

(Original post by lonely14)
No I am not,

but drawing humans and animals is regarded as a sin in Islam.

Only if you are making a 3D statue model of one. The reason for this is that you are trying to replicate what God has done but a drawing does not have any similar dimensions to an actual human or animal. This means you are not actually recreating a human. The same as when an architect or car designer draws a car or building it isn't the same as an actual building.

(Original post by lonely14)
I had a look on internet and this Hadith (not sure if its called a Hadith) came up.

"And Muslim (2110) narrated that Sa'eed ibn Abi'l-Hasan said: A man came to Ibn 'Abbaas and said: I am a man who makes these images; advise me about that. He said to him: Come close to me. So he came closer to him. He said: Come closer to me. So he came closer to him, until he put his hand on his head and said: I will tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image that he made, a soul will be created which will punish him in Hell." He said: If you must do that, then make (images of) trees and inanimate things."

It clearly says it's a sin

Not every Hadith is authentic, there are hundreds which actually go against Islamic beliefs.
Also doesn't that mean photographs and video cameras are also haram? no they are not as that would be completely senseless.

(Original post by lonely14)
I had a look on internet and this Hadith (not sure if its called a Hadith) came up.

"And Muslim (2110) narrated that Sa'eed ibn Abi'l-Hasan said: A man came to Ibn 'Abbaas and said: I am a man who makes these images; advise me about that. He said to him: Come close to me. So he came closer to him. He said: Come closer to me. So he came closer to him, until he put his hand on his head and said: I will tell you what I heard from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image that he made, a soul will be created which will punish him in Hell." He said: If you must do that, then make (images of) trees and inanimate things."

It clearly says it's a sin

I think you need to take a middle ground here. It's clear from reading the Qur'an that images that depict the prophet or any messenger for that matter are forbidden, end of. Now with regards to humans its up to you how you want to follow what is said on the Qur'an of this, when "Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image that he made, a soul will be created which will punish him in Hell...is said its most probably referring to the drawings of prophets.

Sometimes you just need to take a sensible moderate stance - on what may or may not be forbidden. It's a tough one, but possibly talk to a local imam and explain your situation. Your parents have never disallowed you from drawing, ask them why they didnt?

If drawing makes you happy and you enjoy it then do it, it doesn't affect anyone else.
It's stupid how many people live miserable lives for a religion. I'm sorry but if the religion was good it wouldn't have ****ty rules like this that stop you having hobbies.

(Original post by theronkinator)
If drawing makes you happy and you enjoy it then do it, it doesn't affect anyone else.
It's stupid how many people live miserable lives for a religion. I'm sorry but if the religion was good it wouldn't have ****ty rules like this that stop you having hobbies.

It doesn't, some people misinterpret and come up with their own ideas.

(Original post by moh89)
Not every Hadith is authentic, there are hundreds which actually go against Islamic beliefs.
Also doesn't that mean photographs and video cameras are also haram? no they are not as that would be completely senseless.

(Original post by HumanNature1992)
I think you need to take a middle ground here. It's clear from reading the Qur'an that images that depict the prophet or any messenger for that matter are forbidden, end of. Now with regards to humans its up to you how you want to follow what is said on the Qur'an of this, when "Every image maker will be in Hell, and for every image that he made, a soul will be created which will punish him in Hell...is said its most probably referring to the drawings of prophets.

Sometimes you just need to take a sensible moderate stance - on what may or may not be forbidden. It's a tough one, but possibly talk to a local imam and explain your situation. Your parents have never disallowed you from drawing, ask them why they didnt?

Thanks guys. It's not like I follow Islam correctly by the book, I am a moderate Muslim but I don't want to do a sin as big as this. My dad's friend said I am trying to imitate Allah, and it's called a Shirk where there is no forgiveness.

I don't get you asians, there are tons of Islamic websites, and yet you come here, a place full of athiests, ex-muslims, wannabe-muslims, anti-muslims etc. and ask for information? Don't be so ****ing stupid.

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Source: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1475238

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