Is it permissible to make drawings as a stylist/designer? Are pictures, trinkets and statues permissible?

Is it haram to draw pictures (living or non-living) to make statues? I am being trained as a stylist now. We have anatomy classes. I need to draw human figures so that I will draw a human model when I design clothes in the future.

Dear Brother / Sister,

There is no drawback to drawing pictures and caricatures/comics if they are in accordance with general rules of ethics.

If a human figure is drawn in terms of designing clothes, it cannot be said that it is haram and a sin. However, if the human figures that are drawn are used in some places that are not regarded legitimate by Islam and that are regarded as haram and be used as materials for them, it is not possible to say that it is permissible. For instance, if the pictures that are drawn are used in some pornographic internet websites or magazines, it is definitely haram.    

The religions of oneness have been struggling against idolatry since the beginning of humanity. Idolatry is basically based on the deeds of “paying homage, showing respect to pictures and statues and bowing down before them”. Therefore, it is necessary to see that showing respect to pictures and statues has caused an important aberration in the life of faith of humanity throughout history and it should not be forgotten that this wrong belief dragged many people behind it with its various forms like worshipping directly, regarding them as luck and means of asking help; we should understand why drawing pictures and making statues are not respected by religions of oneness.   

It is not possible to say that sculpture and statue making, which exists under the innocence of art today with a new face, has completely got through the mission of reviving or continuing the respect attributed to it throughout history. That is, the reason why a statue is made and exists is generally to express homage or respect. This approach is enough to condemn statues and sculptures in Islam. Therefore, it is difficult to say that Islam tolerates statues and that it is mubah (permissible).

However, there is no need to condemn trinkets, toys, dolls, small figures, pictures with one dimension, and caricatures/comics with one line as statues. For, they do not express homage and respect; they do not meet the religion of oneness on a negative platform.

We do not approve of making and selling sculptures and statues. However, there is no drawback to selling trinkets, small figures, dolls, pictures of one dimension unless they include immoral elements and illegitimate visions. Allah knows the best.

Questions on Islam