the major sins entailing the threat of punishment in the Fire. This prohibition is applicable to all forms of Taswir, whether the sura has a shadow or not, and whether it is
on a wall, a curtain, a garment, a mirror, a paper, etc. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not differentiate between that which has a shadow and that which has no shadow or between what is drawn on a curtain or not. In fact, he cursed Musawwirs, saying that they will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection and that all of them will enter the Fire, without making any exceptions.
The fact that this prohibition is general is supported by the evidence that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw suras on the curtain in the house of `Aishah, he tore it up and the color of his face changed and he said: The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be those who imitate Allah's Creation.
In another narration, he said when he saw the curtain: The makers of these suras will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said to them: 'Breathe life into what you have created.'
This narration and similar ones clearly indicate that Musawwirs are included in the general admonishment, whether they make suras on curtains or the like.
As for his statement "except a design in a cloth" in the Hadith narrated by Abu Talhah and Sahl ibn Hunayf, this is an exception to suras which prevent the entry of angels but not an exception far Taswir as understood by the context of the Hadith. This means that Taswir is only permissible if the design in a cloth or the like is made to be used in a disrespectful fashion, such as the cushion that was made to be sat on as stated in the aforementioned Hadith narrated by `Aishah, in which she tore up the curtain and made it into one or two cushions, and the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah in which Jibril said to the Prophet (peace be upon him), "Tell someone to cut off the head of the statue by your door, so it will look like a tree; tell someone to tear up the curtain and make it into floorcushions that will be stepped on..." The Prophet (peace be upon him) did that.
It is not permissible to apply this exception to suras in a cloth that is to be hung on a door or a wall or the like because the texts of Hadith narrated by `Aishah in this regard clearly indicate that such curtains is forbidden, and must be removed and torn up as already stated.
This Hadith as narrated by Abu Hurayrah unmistakably means that such curtains prevent the entry of angels unless it is made into something to be treaded on or the head of the statue is cut off so that it takes the shape of a tree. The statements of Prophet (peace be upon him) do not conflict with each other; they confirm the validity of each other.
Whenever it is possible to reconcile between various Hadith in a proper manner without any prejudice, it becomes obligatory to do so and to give this precedence over adopting the approach of Tarjih (comparing an opinion with another to choose the most appropriate one) and Naskh (abrogation) as stated in the sciences of UsululHadith (principles of Hadith) and Mustalah AlHadith (Hadith terminology). Here, it was possible to reconcile between the quoted texts. All praise is due to Allah for this.
In AlFath, AlHafizh gave precedence to reconciliation between Hadith in the manner that I have already mentioned. He said, "Al Khattabi said: The suras which forbid angels from entering a house are those whose possession is prohibited e.g. the suras of beings with souls whose heads are not cut off or are not treated in a disrespectful manner."
Also, AlKhattabi (may Allah be merciful with him) said, "In fact, the punishment of a Musawwir is made severe because suras were worshipped besides Allah. Furthermore, looking at them may become a sort of Fitnah (temptation) and some souls might be attached to them."
A lNawawi (may Allah be merciful with him) stated the following in Sharh Muslim, "Chapter: The prohibition of Taswir of animate beings and the prohibition of possessing that which has a sura untrodden in a carpet or the like. In fact, the angels do not enter a house in which there is a sura or a dog"
"Our companions and other scholars commented: Taswir of animate beings is extremely prohibited and is a major sin, because severe warnings are made against the Musawwir in the Hadith; whether they make suras to be used in a disrespectful fashion or for other purposes, this profession is prohibited in all cases, because it implies that one is trying to match the Creation of Allah (Exalted be He). There is no difference whether the sura is in a cloth, carpet, coin, vessel, wall or whatever. With regard to making Taswir of trees and camel saddlebags and other inanimate beings, this is not prohibited.
"This is the ruling on Taswir. As for making Taswir of animate beings, this is prohibited if the suras are to be hung on a wall or worn as clothing or a turban or what is similar to that of things that are not considered to be in a state of degradation or disrespect. On the other hand, if suras are made on carpets, cushions, or similar articles to be used in a disrespectful fashion, it is not prohibited to possess them. There is no difference (in the prohibition) between that which has a shadow and that which has no shadow.
"This is our own opinion on this issue and the opinion of Jumhur (dominant majority of scholars) from among the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), the Tabi`un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet), and those who came after them. It is also the opinion of AlThawry, Malik, Abu Hanifah, and others.
"Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) believed that suras which are prohibited are only those which cast a shadow and that there is no harm in the suras which do not cast a shadow. However, this is an invalid opinion because the curtain that the Prophet (peace be upon him) disapproved was undoubtedly disrespected and the sura did not cast a shadow. This is in addition to the general and inclusive Hadith [forbidding] all kinds of Taswir."
After summarizing the opinion of AlNawawi, AlHafizh said:
"The opinion that the prohibition of Taswir is general, including that which casts a shadow and that which has no shadow, is supported by the Hadithrelated by Ahmad on the authority of `Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Anyone of you who goes to Madinah must not leave there any idol without breaking it up nor any sura without obliterating it. In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever returns to make these things (suras) has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Whoever looks closely at the previously quoted Hadith will notice that they denote that the prohibition of Taswir is general and inclusive of that which has a shadow and that which has no shadow as already explained.
It may be claimed that the Hadith narrated by Zayd ibn Khalid from Abu Talhah that Busr ibn Sa`id, the narrator from Zayd, said: