Q. Can one purchase dolls for ones children? Some people say its jaiz by saying that Hazrat Ayesha had a doll.
In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful.
Answer:
The Ahadiths that indicate that Aisha (radiallaho anha) had a doll are as follows:
Aisha (radiallaho anha) narrates, When the Apostle of Allah (sallal laho alayhi wa sallam) arrived after the expedition to Tabuk or Khaybar, the draught raised an end of a curtain which was hung in front of her store-room, revealing some dolls which belonged to her. He asked: What is this? She replied: My dolls. Among them he saw a horse with wings made of rags, and asked: What is this I see among them? She replied: A horse. He asked: What is this that it has on it? She replied: Two wings. He asked: A horse with two wings? She replied: Have you not heard that Solomon had horses with wings? She said: Thereupon the Apostle of Allah (sallal laho alayhi wa sallam) laughed so heartily that I could see his molar teeth. (Abu Dawood, 2316)
The scholars have denoted from the above that the dolls with which Aisha (radiallaho anha) played was not of the type currently used today. Her dolls were made out of rags without any facial appearance.
In another Hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari, Aisha (radiallaho anha) narrates, I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah’s Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8.151)
Imam Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani commentating on the above Hadith says: “If the doll of Aisha (radiallaho anha) had clear features, then this was before the prohibition of picture-making, otherwise the doll did have prominent features.” (Fathul-Bari, Vol 10, P645)
In conclusion, the present day dolls which are fully structured and the eyes, nose, mouth etc are clearly molded and defined will be impermissible to purchase and use.
Only Allah Knows Best
Sayeedur Rahman
Darul Ifta Birmingham