Are dolls and stuffed animals allowed? 

Answer

The general rule is that portrayal of animate life is a major sin, even if drawn on the ground, and even if the creature drawn doesn’t exist. Ramli’s position is that it is even prohibited to portray an animal without its head. Ibn Hajar holds that if the portrayed part cannot live on its own, then it is permissible.

Ibn Hajar and Ramli agree that toys for girls are an exception to the above prohibition.

References

Nihaya Al-Muhtaj ila Sharh Al-Minhaj/Kitab Al-Nikah/Fasl fi Walima Al-Urs:

http://feqh.al-islam.com/Display.asp?Mode=0&MaksamID=473&DocID=71&ParagraphID=2327&Diacratic=1

Tuhfa Al-Muhtaj fi Sharh Al-Minhaj/Kitab Al-Nikah/Kitab Al-Sadaq/Fasl fi Walima Al-Urs:

http://feqh.al-islam.com/Display.asp?Mode=0&MaksamID=276&DocID=69&ParagraphID=2534&Diacratic=1

Allah the Exalted knows best and He alone gives success.

Moustafa Elqabbany
Metro Vancouver, Canada