Question

I would like to ask you whether it is forbidden to keep only images belonging to a specific religion, or is it also forbidden to keep an image like a painting of an “ordinary” man (like one’s neighbour) if one has believed that that man (ex.: the neighbour) or even the painting itself is a god. And images of gods of ancient religions (in Egypt one can find lots of them) no longer much practiced?

Answer

I would avoid keeping paintings revered by any religious group.Keeping any such painting may cause confusion regarding my religious ideas. In surroundings where a certain things is revered by others I must be practically declaring that I do not have any relation with that no matter my love for art is well known. However, the paintings found in ancient Egypt and the like may be kept as anyone who sees these will not think that we worship these.

Answered by: Tariq Mahmood Hashmi

Date: 2014-12-22