Q 2: What is the ruling on statues used for house decoration, not for worship?
A: A Muslim is not permitted to fasten images or mummified animals in houses, offices, or public places. The general meaning of the Hadiths authentically narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibits fastening images and setting statues at homes or the like because they are a means to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). They involve emulating the creation of Allah and imitating His enemies. Hanging mummified animals wastes one's money, involves imitating the enemies of Allah, and opens the way to hang human statues. The perfect Islamic Shari`ah came to block the means to Shirk and sins. The people of Noah fell into Shirk due to five images they made for five righteous people at their time. They installed their images in their places of gathering, as Allah (may He be Praised) related in His Manifest Book.
"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."
It is authentically reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said to `Aly ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him): Do not leave an image without obliterating it or a high grave without leveling it. Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the image makers. Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhary and Muslim.