Discharging Zakaat With Clothing Displaying Pictures Of Animate Objects

A’ishah Radhiallahu Anha narrates, “Rasulullaah ﷺ returned from a journey. In his ﷺ absence, I covered the porch of my house with a curtain which had pictures (of animate objects) on it. When Rasulullaah ﷺ saw it, the colour of his face changed (due to anger). He said, ‘O ‘Aishah, those who shall receive the severest punishment by Allah Ta’aala on the day of Resurrection shall be those who copy the creation of Allah.’ She said, “We therefore cut that curtain and made one or two pillows from it.”  

Ibn Hajar Rahmatullahi Alaih writes, “This is a special warning also for those who use and display images (of animate objects) because although the severe warning initially addresses the maker of such images, it will apply to the user of the animate images as well because an object is made for usage/display and the maker is simply the means, whereas the user is the actual objective, so therefore the user is more deserving of this warning.  

Abu Huraira Radiallahu Anhu reports that Allah`s Messenger ﷺ said: “Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)  came to me and said: I came to you last night, but the only thing that prevented me from entering was the presence of pictures on the door, pictures inside the home on the curtains and a dog inside the home. Therefore, order the head of the picture on the door to be cut so that it will resemble a tree. And order that the curtain be cut into two pieces strewn on the floor to be trampled upon, and order the dog to be removed”.  

Imam Nawawi Rahmatullahi Alaih has written, “Our companions and other scholars are of the view that making up an image of a living being is severely prohibited and is amongst the major sins regarding which severe warnings have been sounded in the Ahadeeth. This applies equally to making a form of something which is looked down upon or not. Making such an item is prohibited in all conditions as in doing so, one is imitating the creative quality of Allah Ta’aala. This applies equally whether the image is created on a cloth or a sheet that is spread out or a gold or silver coin used as change or a vase, on a wall or otherwise. As for forming an image of a tree or the saddle of a camel, etc. in which there is no animate object, then this is not prohibited. This is the ruling regarding making of images.”  

Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahmatullahi Alaih, has written: “Any animate picture is Haraam, irrespective of whether it is made from wood, mud, metal, gold or pen, whether it be on paper, a board, or a reverse image captured by a machine, all of this is in no way permissible.”  

Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyaanwi Rahmatullahi Alaih,has written: “Making a picture of any living thing is totally Haraam and it is a major sin, no matter what kind of picture it is, big or small, on clothes or on paper, or by means of camera.”   

It is thus evident that wearing clothing items displaying pictures of animate objects is impermissible and as a consequence, attiring another in such clothing will be encouraging and aiding in sin.  

We therefore advise that the pictures be removed from the garments before discharging the clothing as Zakaat. If this proves difficult, remove the head portion of the picture so that no semblance of an animate object remains. Should this prove difficult as well, the image could be covered by sewing a piece of fabric over it.