Where in the Koran is the prohibition against human representation?

May 11, 2007 6:10 PM

Where in the Koran is the prohibition against human representation?

Islam, I understand, prohibits representation of the human form -- I think because it might distract believers from true piety. But where exactly is this spelled out? Or is this less a Koranic prohibition than just tradition?

posted by It ain't over yet to Religion & Philosophy (10 answers total)

A number of Christian religions prohibit human representations as well. I have a vague idea it's from the OT, based on the prohibition of idolatry.
posted by hattifattener at 6:22 PM on May 11, 2007

You might be interested in what wikipedia has to say about idolatry and shirk.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:24 PM on May 11, 2007

Best answer: Not the Koran, but close enough. Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 648

I heard the Prophet saying, "Allah said, 'Who are most unjust than those who try to create something like My creation? I challenge them to create even a smallest ant, a wheat grain or a barley grain.' "

posted by smackfu at 6:37 PM on May 11, 2007

Best answer: Some more in-depth discussions are here (Metropolitan Museum of Art page about figural representation in Islamic art) and here (a Slate article discussing graven images in Islam, with a bit about Christianity and Judaism as well).
posted by katemonster at 6:45 PM on May 11, 2007

Best answer: This short article by the BBC gives some of the reasons some Islamic traditions may prohibit images. Evidently in some Shia teaching allows the respectful depiction of Muhammad.
posted by demiurge at 6:49 PM on May 11, 2007

I've seen several representations of the Imams Ali and Husayn on the web. Dogpile shows some.
posted by davy at 8:41 PM on May 11, 2007

For Islamic representations of human/animal forms, see the Chester Beatty Library.
posted by DelusionsofGrandeur at 11:25 PM on May 11, 2007

It has to do with the origins of idolatry, which emerged as an unintended consequence of erecting statues to honor good people. In Sunni Islam, all graven images are forbidden (except for on toys and clothing)*, not just images of Muhammad. However, making images of Muhammad and other highly regarded people is a more serious matter as the risk is higher that these images would become objects of misplaced reverence.

There is also a hadith indicating that angels don't enter homes where there are images.

This is not to say that portraits and statues don't exist among Sunni Muslims, who vary in their levels of religious observance to say the least.

*There are some looser interpretations that allow certain types of images, or allow images in certain circumstances, particularly where such reverence is unlikely to emerge.

I haven't checked out that web site, it is just the first result I found with a good explanation of this.
posted by textilephile at 5:52 AM on May 12, 2007

I thought the proscription was on the representation of the Prophet, or presumably of God as well, and not of just anybody.
posted by vilcxjo_BLANKA at 11:18 AM on May 12, 2007

Many "people of the book" (Jews, Christians, Muslims) interpret anti-idolatry in more or less specific ways. From Wiki on Pontius Pilate

On one occasion, when the soldiers under his command came to Jerusalem, he made them bring their ensigns with them, upon which were the usual images of the emperor. Roman battle standards were considered idolatrous by the Jews. The ensigns were brought in secretly by night, but their presence was soon discovered. Immediately multitudes of excited Jews rushed to Caesarea to petition him for the removal of the obnoxious ensigns. He ignored them for five days, but the next day he admitted the Jews to hear their complaint. He had them surrounded with soldiers and threatened them with instant death unless they ceased to trouble him with the matter. The Jews then threw themselves to the ground and bared their necks, declaring that they preferred death to the violation of their laws. Pilate, unwilling to kill so many, succumbed and removed the ensigns.

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posted by MonkeySaltedNuts at 1:52 PM on May 12, 2007