Question:
Why is it said that one can not pray in a room with pictures. Can you please shed light with respect to Hadith/Sunnah?
Fizza
Answer:
Salaam sister
Many thanks for your query. In the opinion of our scholars, when we collect and analyze all the ahadith on the topic of portraits and image making, we find that the prohibition pertained to particular category of pictures and image making which acquired the status of idols and were worshipped in Arabia. In Kaaba besides idols there were pictures of Abraham and Ishmael pbuh.
Thus only those pictures and images are prohibited in our religion which lead people towards polytheistic tendencies or painting things that go against morals and moral values are not allowed (like nude pictures or pictures that can encourage evil acts).
Presence of pictures on their own do not mean we cannot offer our prayers in that room. In Muslim house holds there are invariably pictures of Kaaba and also other famous mosques. We also may have picture of our family or even a beautiful scenery. Our prayer mats have pictures of Kaaba made out on them and we offer prayers on them.
In a non-Muslim country, we may not have a choice but to offer prayers somewhere where they may have pictures other than the ones quoted. If we have a choice we may choose a room with no illustrations that either encourage people to polytheistic worship or illustrate nudity. However, if we did not have a choice, we cannot say that we cannot offer our prayers because of the pictures.
One personal example is that I offer Friday prayers in a hospital Christian prayer room which has a Cross and portrait of Christ.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Best regards
Waseem Aslam
UIUK web team
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