Fatwa ID: 03954

Answered by: Maulana Jamal Ahmed

Question

If a person works in an animation studio, is their salary halaal? The production house makes animation films for Muslim children that promote goodness, bravery, standing up for the oppressed, and even the Sunnah. The studio also creates informational documentaries about the Taliban and honor killings to raise awareness. The person works in the art department. Focusing on storyboard, drawing and illustrations or editing, posters, merchandise, etc.

        بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

To draw a picture of a living creature is prohibited in Islam with a severe warning. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “To Allah, the people who deserve the most severe punishment are the ones who draw pictures.”[1]

Mulla Ali Qari, commentating on the hadith, said that Imam Nawawi has said that, “Whoever draws pictures of living things to worship them or to emulate or compete with Allah, then such a person becomes a kafir.  If a person does not practice art for the aforementioned reasons, then the ulama have said that such a person is still a sinful person although he does not become kafir. However, with regards to other things besides living creatures, then the scholars have given permission for drawing them and to make an earning from it.”[2]

As for films and documentaries, the scholars have said that as long as there are no prohibited elements in them, and they are used to promote good morals and habits or they are educational films, then they will be permissible. Prohibited elements are music, songs, and animation of living creatures. If the show is a live stream that does not store any negatives of the animation, then such a live stream is regarded as reflections and not as pictures, thus, they will be allowed as long as it does not contain any indecency and women.[3]

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Jamal Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham