Why Christians Should Care About Islam's Rules On Art: Easy Explanation
- Call of Love Ministries
- Oct 21
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 3
You may have noticed an abundance of geometric artwork in the Muslim world. This type of art is beautiful, but you’ll notice it doesn’t include any people or animals. This is intentional. Muslims believe that only Allah is the supreme artist, and only he is worthy to create art with living subjects.
This restriction on Islamic art influences the worldview that Muslims have. It is important for Christians to understand this worldview, especially if we are going to reach Muslims with the gospel.
What does Islamic art look like? Patterns, geometric shapes and calligraphy
Islam follows “aniconism,” the avoidance of living subjects in art. This doctrine is not found in the Quran, instead it is in the Hadith. The Hadith is a collection of the stories and sayings of Muhammad and his companions, which is the second most revered holy text in Islam.
Warnings in the Hadith repeatedly tell Muslims not to portray living beings, human or animal, in artwork because this leads to idolatry.
So what does Islamic art illustrate? Islamic art showcases repeating patterns and geometric shapes (Arabic “naqsh” meaning pattern). This is supposed to symbolize the unchanging laws of Allah, and utilizes art as a reminder of the constant need to obey Allah’s rules.
Muslim artists also decorate Quranic verses with Arabic calligraphy and colorful geometric shapes. Before Islam, this art technique of calligraphy, known as illumination, was used by medieval Christian monks to artistically render scripture.
What does the Hadith say about art? Specific verse examples
The Hadith clearly states Muhammad’s words of warning that those who create art with living things will be punished severely on the Day of Resurrection with hell.
“Those who paint pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created.”
“Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) visited me after returning from a journey, and I had a shelf with a thin cloth curtain hanging over it and on which there were portraits. When he saw it, the colour of his face changed (because of anger) and he said, "O 'Aishah! the most grievous torment from Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be for those who imitate (Allah) in the act of His creation."
“I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, "Every painter will go to Hell, and for every portrait he has made, there will be appointed one who will chastise him in the Hell." Ibn 'Abbas said: If you have to do it, draw pictures of trees and other inanimate things.”
All of these verses are examples of the very extreme punishment promised for those who create art of living beings. This is not a suggestion or a guideline to increase your odds of earning Allah’s favor. These instructions are clear: the punishment for this artwork is torment and hell.
Hadith instructions on destroying artwork
In addition to the rules placed on artists, the Hadith also commands Muslims to destroy art that contains images:
Muhammad said:
“...Should I not send you on the same mission as Allah's Messenger sent me? Do not leave an image without obliterating it, or a high grave without leveling it. This hadith has been reported by Habib with the same chain of transmitters and he said: (Do not leave) a picture without obliterating it.” (Sahih Muslim 969a, 969b)
This means that during Islam’s expansion in the Islamic crusades, a lot of artwork was destroyed and lost.
Angels do not enter a home with figural or pictorial art
“The angels do not enter a house in which there is an image.” Al-Bukhaari 3226
Muslims scholars explain that this Hadith means angels of mercy, protection, and blessings will not enter homes with art, but the angel of death and the angels who count sins will continue to enter.
The most conservative or devout Muslims who want to adhere to all Islamic laws will not hang pictures in their home, print pictures, or even have pictures on their phones. Parents warn their children to not allow anyone to take their picture.
Exceptions to the ban on pictures and images
As with many moral guidelines prescribed by Islam, these rules surrounding art have caveats and exceptions. For example, Muslim children are permitted to play with dolls and animal figurines. This is because it is shown that Aisha used to play with dolls in the presence of Muhammad (Sahih Muslim 2440a), then Muslims believe those figurines do not fall under the restrictive rules.
How do Islam’s rules about art affect Muslims?
At the end of the day, this Islamic restriction on art is just another rule Muslims must follow in order to gain Allah’s favor. Once again, their salvation relies on their performance and Allah’s willingness (or unwillingness) to accept them (Surah 16:93).
This also robs Muslims of the joy art brings to spaces, lives, surroundings, and memories. Art is used to memorialize and honor people that we love. Muslims do not get this benefit and this leads Muslims to be largely constrained and detached from emotions.
Art often serves as a historical record. But without anything that captures the true Quranic way of life like paintings, videos, or photos, Islam continues to be romanticized rather than scrutinized.
What does God say about creativity in the Bible?
When it comes to art, God wants us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him! In fact, since we are made in God’s image, we have inherited His creative side. After all, God is the Creator of all of the beautiful things around us (Colossians 1:16-17).
There is nothing wrong with using our talents to create art depicting the beautiful world around us, as long as our hearts are in the right place– desiring to honor God above all else. In fact, in scripture, we see that God used builders, craftsmen and artists to accomplish specific projects such as building the ark and constructing the tabernacle. Jesus himself was a craftsman—a carpenter.
Especially in the last century, Christian art has played a major role in spreading the Gospel message to millions of people worldwide. Take for example, The Jesus Film which is watched in hundreds of languages, as well as picture book versions of the Bible which has reached remote villages and towns all over the world!
The Ten Commandments do condemn idol making (Exodus 20: 4-5a). But the warning is about making images with the intent to worship these pieces of art as idols. However, the second commandment is specifically about who or what we worship, not about making art.
In Islam, the rules about art are another obstacle in a Muslim’s endless attempts to please Allah. Obeying the Hadith means that you have a better chance of getting into Paradise. (If you want to read more about how Muslims must earn their salvation in Islam, read our blog post Can you earn salvation by doing good deeds in Islam?)
Conversely, in our relationship with God, our salvation is not dependent upon our ability or works we perform (Ephesians 2:8-9). This does not mean that Christians have a license to disobey God’s commands. Unlike Muslims who obey Allah out of fear, Christians desire to obey God’s commands because He loved us first (1 John 4:19).
How to talk to your Muslim friends about art
Even if you are not an artist, art impacts you everyday. You see art on social media, you have it hanging up in your home, and it is on the wall of every restaurant and store. Art is a part of everyone’s lives, whether you are creative or not. Ask your Muslim friend for their opinion on art, and maybe you’ll get the opportunity to share what God and the Bible have to say as well.
Here are some questions to start with:
How do you define Allah-honoring art?
What kinds of art does the Hadith permit?
How do you use your artistic talents if you cannot make art to show living things you love?
What does art mean to you?
Is there a way to glorify Allah by being artistic or is creating art is an act of disobedience?
Prayer for glorifying God with art
Dear Jesus, thank you for making us in your image and giving us the ability to create. Use our artistic talents to bring Muslims into your Kingdom and ultimately to glorify your name. Amen.
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8.
