Wearing clothes with animate pictures

Q: I would like to know the permissibilty of wearing clothes with animal pictures. For example, a crocodile picture but the picture does not have eyes.

Also, I would like to know the permissibilty of wearing such clothes and reading salaah. If we wear a kurta over it and read salaah, will the salaah be valid?

A: Pictures of all animate objects are haraam in Islam. Grave warnings have been sounded in the Mubaarak Ahaadith for those who get involved in the major sin of picture making. Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:

إن أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة المصورون

Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah.

Hence, it is not permissible for one to wear clothing that has pictures of animate objects (whether a picture of a crocodile or anything else) on it. If one wears such clothing, one will be sinful. Performing salaah in such clothing will be an even greater sin, even though one will be absolved of the obligation of the salaah.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)