Q: An animate image is such that, if placed on the ground, a standing person of reasonable vision would be unable to make out and discern the features of the image. The view of some Hanafi Deobandi 'Ulama is that such small pictures are permissible. These 'Ulama do say that animate images (digital or otherwise) are prohibited. However, it must be noted that many pictures that can be viewed on a cellphone screen practically fall into this category of small pictures. This is more so with the cartoon, animate images that appear on cellphone video games. What is your view regarding these small pictures that fit the description mentioned above - whether on a cellphone screen or otherwise?
A: Those images that are on a screen are generally there for pastime and most of the time for wrong reasons. Apart from this, a great percentage of the ulama are of the opinion that the one who is bringing it upon the screen he is at some point making those photographs and making photos of animate objects is haraam whether the animate object is small or big.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by: