Grand Ayatollah Shirazi discusses rulings related to statues, figurines

The daily scholarly meeting of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Sadegh al-Hosseini al-Shirazi was held on Sunday, the 23rd of Rajab. In this session, like the previous meetings, the Marja answered the questions of the attendees about various jurisprudence issues.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi discussed the ruling on crafting, buying and selling statues, and said: There is no issue with crafting an incomplete statue, according to the consensus of jurists, but if the statue is complete, the ruling is a matter of dispute.

His Eminence continued: The late Sheikh Ansari has discussed this issue in detail in his writing on ‘Al-Makasib al-Muharrama’, and some jurists have given a verdict of haram for the profession, but others have considered it makruh.

He also emphasized: Of course, crafting a statue that is made for worshiping other than God is undoubtedly forbidden, but the figurines that children buy or make themselves, according to the opinion of a group of jurists, which I also subscribe to, is makruh and not haram. Therefore, making, buying and selling such figurines is not haram.

In relation to drawing pictures and paintings of creatures with souls, the Supreme Marja said: Drawing pictures and painting of creatures with souls is also makruh and not haram.