Next, the writer added, "Yet, I say that the religion prohibits solid statues and the likes with the aim of Saddul Dhara'i` (blocking the means leading to sins) and in fear of the return to worship of idols, as was the case in early Jahiliyyah (the preIslamic time of ignorance) and as is the case with idolatrous nations today. Besides, if it is our duty as a conservative Muslim Ummah to fight lewd and obscene pictures for fear that they could taint our traditions and morality, what is the argument of those who renounce reflexive shadowy pictures (photos) that in no way differ from the reflection of the mirror? Again, what is the difference between these reflexive shadowy, mirrorlike photos
employed in newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, homes, and cinemas, and between similar pictures wirelessly transmitted through TV? As I said in a preceding article that TV displays only what is transmitted of good or bad matter, and we in these sacred countries are capable of choosing what is good and beneficial to broadcast, such as pure educational, historical, and entertaining matter through which we can preserve society against the evils of leisure, gossip, and trivial sayings and deeds." (End of quote)
A: Our reply to such an argument is that the writer did well when he admitted that Islam prohibits solid statues and the likes with the aim of SaddulDhara'i` and in fear of the return to worship of idols, as was the case in early Jahiliyyah (the preIslamic time of ignorance) and as is the case with idolatrous nations today. There are many authentic Hadith corroborating the meaning referred to by the writer that were reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him), on the prohibition and prevention of statues, cursing sculptors, and declaring them the ones receiving the severest punishment on the Day of Judgment; they would be punished on that day, and it would be said to them "Give life to what you had created".
It is proven through Qur'anic verses, Hadith, and reports that the reason of aberration on the part of the People of Nuh was statues, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, "And they have said: 'You shall not leave your gods: nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwâ' , nor Yaghûth, nor Ya' ûq nor Nasr' (these are the names of their idols). "And indeed they have led many astray. And (O Allâh): ' Grant no increase to the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrongdoers, and disbelievers) save error.'" Because of their sins they were drowned, then were made to enter the Fire. And they found none to help them instead of Allâh.
It is also authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that one of his wives made a mention before him of a church which she had seen in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and which had pictures in it. He then said, "When a pious person amongst them (among the religious groups) died they would build
a place of worship on his grave, and would then decorate it with such pictures. They would be the worst of creatures in the Sight of Allah Indeed, there are numerous Hadiths on this meaning.
Thus, it becomes clear that leniency towards selling them in the markets, setting them in offices and departments, and the like, are among the major causes of polytheism, of the acts of Jiahiliyyah, and a characteristic of the worst of creatures in the Sight of Allah. Therefore, it is obligatory on all officials in Islamic countries to eliminate such statues, drive (people) away from them, prevent importing them, and demolish whatever exists of them in any place in obedience to Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger (peace be upon him) and out of warding off their evil consequences.
The writer also did well when he said, "If it is our duty as a conservative Muslim Ummah to fight lewd and obscene pictures for fear that they could taint our traditions and morality ..." Sure, he did well by Allah, and it is indeed obligatory on us and on officials in all Islamic governments to fight such obscene pictures