Islamic Creed
Three-Dimensional Images of Animals
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd Allah ibn Baz
Local English rendering of the selected Arabic question and answer. The Arabic source remains authoritative; this is not an official published English edition.
Question
Three-dimensional images have become common on some buildings these days, including the lion image in the Orient watches sign north of this mosque and elsewhere. What is the ruling on this?
Answer (English translation)
Answer: It is not permissible to keep images of animals or human beings, whether on houses or elsewhere, such as doors and similar places. Rather, this must be prohibited. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'Do not leave any image without obliterating it,' and he prohibited images in the house or their being made.
It is therefore not permissible to hang images on walls, whether three-dimensional or otherwise. This must be prohibited, and the authorities must be informed of this wrongdoing. The authorities must be informed, and we must work to remove this thing ... We ask Allah to help everyone.