Can you look at pictures of dogs or animals if angels don’t enter such houses?

Answer:

In the name of Allah the Glorified

It is permissible to look at pictures and paintings etc only when the pictures do not show or represent anything immoral, nude, pornographic or anything else which comes under these categories, these things are forbidden in Islam. Alhamudulillah. (All praise is due to Allah)

It is narrated from Aisha: (mother of the faithful believers) “I bought a cushion with pictures on it. When Rasulullah saw it, he kept standing at the door and did not enter the house. I noticed the sign of disgust on his face, so I said, “O Rasulullah! I repent to Allah and His Apostle. (Please let me know) what sin I have done.” Allah’s Apostle said, “What about this cushion?” I replied, “I bought it for you to sit and recline on.” Rasulullah said, “The painters (i.e. owners) of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, ‘Put life in what you have created (i.e. painted).’ “The Prophet added, “The angels do not enter a house where there are pictures.” (Bukhari 3.318)

And Allah knows best

29^th September, 2005

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Mufti Abubakr Karolia
Batley, U.K
Founder of the “Islamic Foundation for Theology and Research” (I.F.T.A.R)