Why does Islam forbid anyone to have/draw/paint an image of Mohammed?

[wildwood]

Was He supposed to be in the form of a human like Jesus, or what?

I would have thought that if there is an approximate imaginary form to pray to it would seem more real than a wall.

[sir.prize]

human apparently

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad

[baza]

I was loaned a video ( yes a few years ago) depicting the life of Mohammed and the camera was used as Mohammed, it seems that it is forbidden to play the part by a man.

[birdie1971]

There are no passages in the koran that forbid making an image of Mohammed. In this regard, all the koran instructs people to do is not worship idols. There is no prohibition of portraiture and the like.

I wonder how many of the rioting muslims are aware of that fact?

[FredPuli43]

Well, that explains why mosques have no pictures of any human, let alone of Mohammed. Another curiosity is that hand made rugs and carpets are made with one tiny error in them,so that they are not 'perfect'. Wonder where the ruling or inference from Islamic scripture is, that gives rise to that tradition.

[naomi24]

Unlike Jesus, Mohammed is not considered to be anything more than a human being – albeit a special human being. It’s a curiosity that in Islam the Hadith often appears to overrule the Koran. Circumcision is another example. The Hadith forbids the creation not only of pictures of Mohammed, but of any living creature, and in today’s world some Muslims extend this ruling to photographs too. Various reasons exist, possible idolatry is one, and attempting to emulate Allah’s creation another. However, contrary to popular belief, depictions of Mohammed, other people, and animals, do exist in Islamic art – but perhaps the artists thought Allah’s instructions more valid than Mohammed’s.

http://en.wikipedia.o...epictions_of_Muhammad

[jomifl]

It is strange that in strongly muslim countries like Iran picures of 'pop' mullahs abound.

[jomifl]

^ pictures... grrrr.

[jake-the-peg]

The history of representations in Islam is interesting - it rather seems to have developed over time.

There are some interesting early representations here which you might find interesting

http://zombietime.com...hive/islamic_mo_full/

[chakka35]

There are no pictures of Muhammad and no-one is allowed to copy those non-existing pictures, which is why there are no pictures of Muhammad an no-one is allowed to copy those non-existing pictures, which is why there are no pictures of ....er... where was I?

[mibn2cweus]

"A picture is worth a thousand words." If only . . .

[birdie1971]

Naomi - “... It’s a curiosity that in Islam the Hadith often appears to overrule the Koran...”

Indeed it is. Sometimes the koran has the final say and sometimes not depending upon the subject under discussion and the prevailing moral and legal framework that the islamic faith is operating under at that particular time and in that particular place.

It's what us non-muslims call 'having your cake and eating it'.

[LazyGun]

A related issue I think - the ongoing saga of attempts by Muslim leaders at the UN to introduce an international law on blasphemy. This should be resisted.

http://www.independen...e-courts-8180001.html

[jomifl]

LG, From your link /We all need to speak up in favor of mutual respect and understanding of the values and beliefs of others/... I think this subject deserves it's own thread as I find the idea of automatically 'respecting' some peoples beliefs and values unacceptable.

[birdie1971]

LG -

The calls in the UN for an international blasphemy law by representatives of certain islamic countries has been going on for several years. It's nothing new. Finally and thankfully, some people in the media are waking up to the fact that the free speech they take so much for granted is under genuine threat from those people who believe that the freedom to think for yourself and express yourself without fear of prosecution and retribution is a right that you should simply not have when it comes to matters of religion. The religious fascists (of all faiths) are well and truly on the march. Some of them reside among us here on AB.

I genuinely fear that an international blasphemy law which effectively curtails free speech will eventually become a reality. That would be a dark day indeed and one that I hope I never see.

[birdie1971]

LG -

I thought I was telling you something you didn't already know. I missed the bit where you said, “... the ongoing saga...”.

[LazyGun]

@Birdie I didn't mean to suggest that the attempt to introduce an international blasphemy law was a new initiative - just that, in the current circumstances of heightened awareness of the violent over-reaction, a movement toward introducing such a law might gain some additional traction.

Such a movement is something to be resisted. As Jomifl mentioned, ideologies and religions should not be given the special protection of a legally enforceable blasphemy law to suppress criticism or ridicule..

[birdie1971]

LG -

As I said, I realised too late that you already knew about the repeated attempts for an international blasphemy law. I should have known better ;-)

I find the idea of being unable to question, scrutinise, and criticise something as tenuous as a 'belief' really quite frightening. If it ever becomes a reality it would be a truly Orwellian nightmare.

[mibn2cweus]

birdie1971
...
I find the idea of being unable to question, scrutinise, and criticise something as tenuous as a 'belief' really quite frightening. If it ever becomes a reality it would be a truly Orwellian nightmare.
01:34 Fri 28th Sep 2012

This nightmare is already very much a reality in many parts of the world and the spectre of it has been knocking about our doorstep for many years. Let's hope we all wake up soon . . . and pray that it's not already, too late.