Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question: Salams, I bought a hat that has a print that I thought was a general ancient ottoman painting. I did some research and apparently the print is actually a 14th-century picture depiction of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, with facial features shown. How do I dispose of it?
Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh
I pray you are well.
There is no specific, prescribed manner of disposing of the hat. The image is not a likeness of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, despite the intention of the artist. You can dispose of it as you wish.
It’s unfortunate that people have tried to imitate the likeness of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace. Firstly due to it being impermissible for many reasons; one of them being the door of disrespecting him is opened thereby. Please refer to this answer for more information.
Secondly, because no matter how skilled they were they would always fall short of describing him. Or as Ibn al Farid, the Sultan of the Lovers, said, “Despite the expertise of those who describe his beauty, time will come to an end with much in him left undescribed.”
May Allah fills our hearts with love and veneration for him, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Amin
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani