37/26. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2108a — Breathe Soul into What You Created
The Prohibition Of Making Images Of Living Beings, And The Prohibition Of Using Images That Are Not Subjected To Disrespect In Furnishings And The Like; The Angels (Peace Be Upon Them) Do Not Enter A House In Which There Is An Image Or A Dog
Image Makers Hadith: Breathe Soul into What You Created
Sahih Muslim : 2108a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2108a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - وَهُوَ الْقَطَّانُ - جَمِيعًا عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الَّذِينَ يَصْنَعُونَ الصُّوَرَ يُعَذَّبُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَحْيُوا مَا خَلَقْتُمْ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Ibn 'Umar reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said: 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.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2108aIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 148USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5268
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2108a
This image makers hadith is direct and serious. Ibn 'Umar reports that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said those who make pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection. They would be told, 'Breathe soul into what you have created.' The wording points to a clear contrast: people may make an image, but giving life belongs to Allah. The hadith does not need added stories to make its point. It warns against making pictures in a way tied to creating forms and then being unable to give them life. For readers searching for hadith about pictures, breathe soul into what you created hadith, or pictures in Islam hadith, this is one of the clearest narrations in the batch.
What we learn from this hadith
- The report warns picture makers about punishment on the Day of Resurrection.
- They will be told to breathe soul into what they made.
- The wording reminds the reader that giving life is not within human power.
