Question
I like to paint nature (trees, water, mountains,..), but someone told me it’s not Islamically good to paint nature.
Would you please let me know what I should do?
Answer
Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.
I pray you are well.
It is perfectly permissible to paint nature scenes. The prohibition refers to detailed images of living beings – with some exceptions, such as for children’s educational purposes.
Abdullah b. ‘Abbas, when asked about drawing advised someone who wanted to engage in it to draw trees and things which don’t have a soul. (Muslim)
Imbue your painting with worship by taking time to appreciate and reflect on the beauty of Allah’s creation, and praise and thank Him for it. You’ll be rewarded endlessly for it.
May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani