Advanced search
Visit
8435
Last Updated: 2011/01/27
Summary of question
Is it true that if there is a picture on the wall of a building, the angels do not enter that place?
question
Is it true that if I have pictures or paintings or drawings on my wall, the angels will not visit my home? Should I remove any family pictures as well?
Concise answer

There are traditions in our hadith books according to which angels do not enter houses where portraits of animate beings are kept.[1] It is necessary to mention a few points in regards to such traditions:

A) The word "portrait" in the traditions includes pictures as well as statues of animate beings.[2]

B) Most of these traditions are weak and inauthentic (without a trustworthy chain of transmission).[3]

C) Religious authorities have mentioned these tradition in respect of those places where offering prayers is makrooh (abominable).[4]

It is for the same reason that the jurists have said: Offering prayers is makrooh (abominable) at certain places including "facing the picture or statue of living creatures, unless it is covered. It is makrooh to offer prayers at a place where there is a picture, even if it may not be placed in front of the person who offers prayers".[5] Therefore, offering prayers at a place where there is the image of human and animate beings is abominable irrespective of whether the picture is in a mosque or elsewhere or whether it is in front of the people offering prayers or behind them. If there is a picture, it is better to cover the picture with something during prayers.[6]

In any case, according to the verdict of most of the current jurists, there is no objection in hanging up and keeping portraits, statues and (inoffensive) pictures in houses, public places and squares.[7]



[1] - Kulayni, Muhammad bin Ya'qub, Al-Kafi, vol.6, pg.528, hadith 13, Islamic Publications, Tehran 1407 A.H.; Al-Tahzib, Muhammad bin Hasan Tusi, vo.2, pg.377, hadith 102, Islamic Publications, Tehran 1407 A.H.

[2] - Majlisi, Mer'atul Uqul fi Sharh Akhbar Aal Al-Rasul, Muhammad Baqir Majlisi, vol.15, pg.299, Islamic Publications, Tehran, 1404 A.H.

[3] - Ibid.

[4] - Muntahal Matlab fi Tahqiq al-Mazhab, Hilli, Hasan bin Yusuf, vol.4, pg.324, Majma' al-Bohuth al-Islamiyah, Mashad, 1412 A.H.

[5] - Tauzihul Masail of Imam Khomeini (with connotation), vol.1, issue No.898.

[6] - Answer partially extracted from answer 855 (site:930).

[7] - Current Legal Issues according to the verdicts of Grand Scholars, Sayyid Mohsen Mahmoodi, Sahib al-Zaman Publications, pg.43, (extracted from Porsman software).

Question translations in other languages
Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • What is bid’ah and what are its related rulings?
    7744 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/01/06
    Bid’ah literally refers to anything new and unprecedented and in Islamic terms, means to relate something to religion that really doesn’t belong to it. Bid’ah is one of the kaba’ir or great sins. Nevertheless, it isn't permissible to destroy their property without the Islamic government’s ...
  • Who has more power and influence, God or Satan?
    6247 ابلیس و شیطان 2019/06/12
    Undoubtedly, the power of God, who is the Creator of of all things, is more than Satan in all matters. However, when Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) obeyed Satan's advice and refused to obey God's command, it was not because of the influence of Satan's word; ...
  • What is Imam Ali’s (a) viewpoint on the intellect of women versus that of men?
    18449 Contextual study 2010/08/17
    Imam Ali (a) has never said that men are higher and more superior than women in terms of intellect and emotions. What has been attributed to Imam Ali (a) in the Nahjul Balagha, if it is authentic in its narration, relates to a very specific ...
  • What educational system is followed in Iranian Howzah schools?
    8268 History of Fiqh 2011/11/21
    Today education in Iranian Howzah schools starts when students attend these schools after finishing middle school or high school (and achieving a diploma). During their educational career they pass the different levels of studies including mughaddamati (Introductory studies) which consists of Arabic syntax and grammar, ma’ani, bayan, logic, ...
  • How was the creation of man according to the Quran?
    31681 Traditional 2009/06/22
    The Quran has explained the creation of man and his origin using different words and phrases. Some verses say that the initial material man comes from is clay. Other verses say it is water, while a third group say it is sperm. Meanwhile a fourth group says it ...
  • Did the Imams battle for power and did they want a hereditary form of government?
    8371 Traditional 2011/11/09
    Firstly, the seerah (biography) of the Imams shows that the Imams did not struggle for power nor did they have a craving for power. If at times they were defending their rights, it was because they believed it was their obligation to do so.This saying of Imam ...
  • what is the Ruling on eating holy bread offered by christians?
    9831 Practical 2006/10/09
    Dear Brother/Sister,Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah.The answer to your question is as follows: From a fiqhi perspective there is no problem in what you done, as long as what you ate is not regarded as impure ...
  • What is the Shari'ah law concerning marriage with a Sunni girl?
    10682 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/12/23
    According to Islam, marriage is the basic institution which aims at establishing the family, the primary unit of society. It is desirable and recommended by itself but if a person is in need of marriage and is afraid that he may fall into haram, then marriage becomes ...
  • Is it necessary to take part in all the secular school programs?
    6852 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/01/10
    Office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah grant him long life):Taking part in such activities is a matter of precaution. [That is, you should exercise precaution by not taking part in those programs.]Office of Grand Ayatollah ...
  • Is it true that some Muslim Gnostics can fly or levitate?
    12309 Practical 2007/02/08
    That which you have mentioned is an effect and result of Man’s spiritual strength, sometimes this may come about by acting in accordance with religious laws and legitimate ascetic discipline. This means that; by moving closer to Allah, Man can possess the greatest name ...

Popular