Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Are teacups with images permitted?
Answer:
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
This would not be considered unlawful to acquire or keep, as it is not a respected’ use of an image (unlike hanging it, for example). [As understood from Kasani’s Bada’i` al-Sana’i` 1.117; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar] However, such images remain impermissible (and sinful) to make, and it is from scrupulousness to avoid acquiring them.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani