Graphic Design
QUESTION:
I want to start a graphic design business. Would it be permissible for me to design birthday posters or wedding invitations etc.?
ANSWER:
In principle, if there is no law of Shariah that is violated in studying graphic design, i.e. it is studied within the confines of one’s home (online) without any animate pictures and videos, then it will be permissible to study it.
Furthermore, you should refrain from designing any animate pictures and videos, or birthday posters etc., as these are all assisting in sin. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed:
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ
“And do not assist each other in acts of sin and transgression.”
Also, grave warnings have been cited in the Mubaarak Ahaadith on animate photography:
عن مسروق عن عبد الله قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إن من أشد الناس عذابا يوم القيامة المصورون وقال أحمد المصورين(صحيح البخاري# 5606)
Abdullah bin Mas’ood Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah.”
عن سعيد بن أبي الحسن قال جاء رجل إلى بن عباس فقال إني رجل أصور هذه الصور فأفتني فيها فقال له ادن مني فدنا منه ثم قال ادن مني فدنا حتى وضع يده على رأسه قال أنبئك بما سمعت من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول كل مصور في النار يجعل له بكل صورة صورها نفسا فتعذبه في جهنم وقال إن كنت لا بد فاعلا فاصنع الشجر وما لا نفس له. (صحيح لمسلم 2/202)
Sa’eed bin Abil Hasan Rahimahullah reports that a man once came to Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma and said, “I am a picture-maker. Explain the Islamic verdict regarding picture-making to me.” When Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma heard this question, he asked the man to come forward. The man came forward after which Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma asked him to come even closer. The man drew closer until Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma placed his hand on his head. Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma then told him, “I will inform you of what I heard from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. I heard Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, “Every picture-maker will dwell in the fire of Jahannum. Allah Ta’ala will create one creature for every picture he made, and it will then punish him in Jahannum. If you wish to draw a picture, then draw the picture of a tree or a lifeless creation.
حدثنا سعيد قال سمعت النضر بن أنس بن مالك يحدث قتادة قال كنت عند ابن عباس وهم يسألونه ولا يذكر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى سئل فقال سمعت محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من صور صورة في الدنيا كلف يوم القيامة أن ينفخ فيها الروح وليس بنافخ (صحيح البخاري 2/881)
Qataadah Rahimahullah said, “I was once in the company of Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma when someone posed a question regarding picture-making. Ibn Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma said that he heard Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, “The one who creates a picture (of an animate object) will be commanded on the Day of Qiyaamah to infuse the soul into it, and thereby give life to it. However, he will never be able to give life to it (therefore he will face severe torment and punishment in the fire of Jahannum).”
عن ابن عباس عن أبي طلحة رضي الله عنهم عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال لا تدخل الملائكة بيتا فيه كلب ولا صورة (صحيح البخاري #3144)
Abdullah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhuma narrates from Abu Talha Radiallahu Anhu who heard Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saying, “The angels of mercy do not enter a home wherein there is a dog or a picture (of an animate object).”
عن عبد الرحمن بن القاسم عن أبيه أنه سمع عائشة تقول دخل علي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وقد سترت سهوة لي بقرام فيه تماثيل فلما رآه هتكه وتلون وجهه وقال يا عائشة أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة الذين يضاهون بخلق الله قالت عائشة فقطعناه فجعلنا منه وسادة أو وسادتين (صحيح مسلم رقم # 2107)
Aaishah Radiallahu Anha reports that, “Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entered upon me and I had hung a curtain with pictures over the doorway. When Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saw it, he tore the curtain and his face began to change colour. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: ‘Oh Aaishah! The people who will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the Day of Qiyaamah will be those who imitate Allah Ta’ala’s attribute of creation (through picture-making).’ We thereafter cut it and made it into one or two pillows.”
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها أنها أخبرته أنها اشترت نمرقة فيها تصاوير فلما رآها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قام على الباب فلم يدخله فعرفت في وجهه الكراهية فقلت يا رسول الله أتوب إلى الله وإلى رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم ماذا أذنبت فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما بال هذه النمرقة قلت اشتريتها لك لتقعد عليها وتوسدها فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن أصحاب هذه الصور يوم القيامة يعذبون فيقال لهم أحيوا ما خلقتم وقال إن البيت الذي فيه الصور لا تدخله الملائكة (صحيح البخاري # 2105)
Aaishah Radiallahu Anha reports that, “I had once purchased a cushion with pictures of animate objects on it. When Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saw it, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam stood at the doorway and refused to enter the house. I noticed displeasure on his face and I thus said, ‘Oh Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam! I immediately repent to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Have I committed any sin?’ Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam then asked, ‘What is this cushion?’ I replied, ‘I purchased it for you so that you may sit on it and use it as a cushion.’ Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, ‘The makers of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Qiyaamah, and it will be said to them, ‘Instil life into what you have created!’ Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) thereafter mentioned, ‘Indeed, the angels do not enter a home wherein there are pictures.’
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 28 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 27 May 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb