Paintings Of Prophets And Imams

[Saintly_Jinn23]

I have been wanting a painting of Imam Ali (pbuh) to either put in my wallet or on my wall for some time, but I am not sure if some of the portraits I see can be considered accurate portraits of him. Does anyone here have a portrait of Ali (as). If so, how did you go about deciding "This is what I think my Imam looks like." Did people have a vision and painted what they saw or something?

Edited August 1, 2011 by Saintly_Jinn23

[Replicant]

I don't think you're meant to consider a painting as the real thing. It's the artist's vision of the Imam (as) or something they draw from the few narrations that describe the Imam's appearance.

I do know, however, that in Halab in Syria, there is a portrait of Imam Hussain (as)'s head that was actually drawn by someone who saw it. It's taken out every Ashura I think.

[.IceMan.]

Don't think that is a good idea, with all respect.

It should ATLEAST be done with a bright light on the figures face.

[Saintly_Jinn23]

I don't think you're meant to consider a painting as the real thing. It's the artist's vision of the Imam (as) or something they draw from the few narrations that describe the Imam's appearance.

I do know, however, that in Halab in Syria, there is a portrait of Imam Hussain (as)'s head that was actually drawn by someone who saw it. It's taken out every Ashura I think.

I remember reading someone on this forum say that sometimes people have seen them in dreams and have painted what they saw. Like, the usual painting I see of Ali (as) I really like and a lot of Shia(and Sufis) use it. I'm wondering where the painting came about so I don't make a hasty decision. I don't mind paintings of saints or prophets, just as long as they are accurate. Of course, no painting can ever truly match the real thing it portrays. But like, I'm not gonna buy a painting of the Virgin Mary (as) just because someone says it's the Virgin Mary. I'll buy the one I truly feel looks the most like her. The same goes for Ali.

[Ali H Syed]

Don't think that is a good idea, with all respect.

It should ATLEAST be done with a bright light on the figures face.

salam, iv read in some places, that as mentioned above, an artist may use descriptions of the imams, as a guidance for their appearence, however IMPORTANTLY it should be noted that this image should not be held in a view that will make you believe that this was the appearence of that imam. ( this applies to profits etc, imams was just an example)

(bismillah)

[Jay]

Let's be realistic... how would an artist know the face of a man who died hundreds of years before him?

[Ali H Syed]

Let's be realistic... how would an artist know the face of a man who died hundreds of years before him?

yeh they cant, i think they just try and use imagination from descriptions and stuff, but it has to be made clear after the drawing is made, that this should NOT represent the imam or prophet that is being drawn, it is just a representation

[Kamranistan]

salam, iv read in some places, that as mentioned above, an artist may use descriptions of the imams, as a guidance for their appearence, however IMPORTANTLY it should be noted that this image should not be held in a view that will make you believe that this was the appearence of that imam. ( this applies to profits etc, imams was just an example)

(bismillah)

Prophets* (pbuh) lol

[Ali H Syed]

Prophets* (pbuh) lol

Lol! my bad

[turncoat91]

Have any of the marja commented on this??

[UIE]

Not to spoil your idea but having any images of the Prophet(SAW) and the Imams (as) is a form of shirk (Polytheism) and should be avoid as it deviates the believer from Allah and Shirk is one of the Sins Allah has said is unforgivable. If you really want a relic to remind you of your faith carry a zulfiqar necklace or the names of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (as).

[Ali H Syed]

Not to spoil your idea but having any images of the Prophet(SAW) and the Imams (as) is a form of shirk (Polytheism) and should be avoid as it deviates the believer from Allah and Shirk is one of the Sins Allah has said is unforgivable. If you really want a relic to remind you of your faith carry a zulfiqar necklace or the names of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (as).

yes my apologies, heres a question and answer from sistani.org on the matter

Question :

Is it permissible to draw or produce a scene which shows the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), one of the past prophets or the infallible Imams (a.s.), or other luminaries and show it in cinema, on television or theatre?

Answer :

If due deference and respect is observed, and the scene does not contain anything that would detract from their holy pictures in the minds [of the viewers], there is no problem.

in evry case the potraits would make believe us to think that is the image of who is being portrayed, and thus it would lead to imperfected thoughts on the prophets or the imams appearences

(bismillah)

[Ugly Jinn]

This fascinates me.

It's like a boy who has never seen his mother, but decides to carry an imaginary picture of her around.

It's an absurd and disturbing behavior.

Edited August 11, 2011 by Ugly Jinn

[Ali H Syed]

This fascinates me.

It's like a boy who has never seen his mother, but decides to carry an imaginary picture of her around.

It's an absurd and disturbing behavior.

ugly jin it is nothing like the example you just gave, please do not try and put ideas such as this in peoples mind, the reason people want to try and create an impression of the imams or prophets, is out of love for them, and what is wrong with your example may i ask? if i had never seen my mother, i would like something to remind me of her, i dont know what sick ideas you are getting at

(bismillah)

[Ugly Jinn]

ugly jin it is nothing like the example you just gave, please do not try and put ideas such as this in peoples mind, the reason people want to try and create an impression of the imams or prophets, is out of love for them, and what is wrong with your example may i ask? , i dont know what sick ideas you are getting at

It's not love when you have to create fake imaginary pictures for remembrance.

Why do you see pictures of Khomenei and Khamenei in Iran everywhere instead of fake pics of Imams?

My example is valid, no sane human carries fake pictures of another human as a tool for love. This isn't some fairy tale where you can create imaginary images to motivate love.

If you really need fake imagery as a tool to love someone, then you never sincerely loved that person.

[Saintly_Jinn23]

Let's be realistic... how would an artist know the face of a man who died hundreds of years before him?

dreams or visions.

[Ali H Syed]

It's not love when you have to create fake imaginary pictures for remembrance.

Why do you see pictures of Khomenei and Khamenei in Iran everywhere instead of fake pics of Imams?

My example is valid, no sane human carries fake pictures of another human as a tool for love. This isn't some fairy tale where you can create imaginary images to motivate love.

If you really need fake imagery as a tool to love someone, then you never sincerely loved that person.

its not fake images, do you not understand the concept of an artists impression? and i take your comment on a sane human offensively, my grandmother passed away when i was 4, i remember her through a blanket that they hand knitted, i still have it to this day, does that make me weird that it brings me happiness knowing it was associated with them? of course not. the way you depict the situation just makes it sound wierd, ok why do people wear zulfiqar on bracelets, and around their necks? it does motivate you and holds a symbolic weight!

(bismillah)

[Kamranistan]

Look it's pretty simple, if you don't actually believe it's the real thing its allowed. Simple..

Edited August 11, 2011 by Kamran-Syed

[Ugly Jinn]

its not fake images, do you not understand the concept of an artists impression?

Yes, it's called fake impressions. You can play semantics all you want. Marjas have declared it haram if you truly believe the images are real. What does that mean?? It means it's FAKE.

and i take your comment on a sane human offensively, my grandmother passed away when i was 4, i remember her through a blanket that they hand knitted, i still have it to this day, does that make me weird that it brings me happiness knowing it was associated with them? of course not. the way you depict the situation just makes it sound wierd, ok why do people wear zulfiqar on bracelets, and around their necks? it does motivate you and holds a symbolic weight!

There is a huge difference between a physical possession of your grandmother compared to a fake blanket YOU created to remember her by.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Ugly Jinn

[Ali H Syed]

Yes, it's called fake impressions. You can play semantics all you want. Marjas have declared it haram if you truly believe the images are real. What does that mean?? It means it's FAKE.

There is a huge difference between a physical possession of your grandmother compared to a fake blanket YOU created to remember her by.

many marjas allow artist impressions as long as it doesnt take away their holyness, then there is nothing wrong with it, last time i checked a blanket isnt an imaginery object? lol.. and its all to real brother.. i did not create it, as i said, my grandmother hand knitted it, i dont get what your point is..?

(bismillah)

[Kamranistan]

Jinn, I think your missing the point completely.. If someone has a painting of them (as) it's not an actual recreation.. It's just a reminder, emotional one.

[Ugly Jinn]

many marjas allow artist impressions as long as it doesnt take away their holyness, then there is nothing wrong with it, last time i checked a blanket isnt an imaginery object? lol.. and its all to real brother.. i did not create it, as i said, my grandmother hand knitted it, i dont get what your point is..?

You totally missed the 'blanket' logic. Your grandmother's personal possession is totally different than you making/buying a colored blanket from a store. Your grandmother's blanket has sentimental value, your $9.99 purchase doesn't.

Jinn, I think your missing the point completely.. If someone has a painting of them (as) it's not an actual recreation.. It's just a reminder, emotional one.

My point is that fake pictures shouldn't be needed for remembrance.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Ugly Jinn

[Kamranistan]

You totally missed the 'blanket' logic. Your grandmother's personal possession is totally different than you making/buying a colored blanket from a store. Your grandmother's blanket has sentimental value, your $9.99 purchase doesn't.

My point is that fake pictures shouldn't be needed for remembrance.

Okay bro, i think we can all agree to disagree :P all im saying is that it is permissable.

[Ali H Syed]

Okay bro, i think we can all agree to disagree :P all im saying is that it is permissable.

i dont get what hes on about which the blanket example, when people buy a painting of a prophet or imam, which does happen, it is an item which you purchase for the love of their character.

(bismillah)

[Ugly Jinn]

I'm just going to make a last post.

Many shias seem to need fake/imaginary objects to spark love. You have fake coffins with fake blood in Muharram, a white horse to remember Zuljenah, fake pictures of imaginary figures, etc, etc. These objects are hardly seen in Iran.

It is sad that Shias need help from fake objects to love Ahlul Bayt. I guess some need fake objects to truly love someone.

[Ali H Syed]

I'm just going to make a last post.

Many shias seem to need fake/imaginary objects to spark love. You have fake coffins with fake blood in Muharram, a white horse to remember Zuljenah, fake pictures of imaginary figures, etc, etc. These objects are hardly seen in Iran.

It is sad that Shias need help from fake objects to love Ahlul Bayt. I guess some need fake objects to truly love someone.

*sigh*, so wrong brother.... it is not fake love, fake sparks or however you want to word it, by the sounds of it, and by your other posts, you seem to disrespect shia evrywere, these objects are hardly seen in iran? firstly they are, and secondly even if they wernt what does that prove? i see them in karbala evry year, pathetic response, sorry for being personal, but your post is ridiculous. there is nothing wrong with these objects in muharram, we love the ahlulbayt, we love and fear Allah, and it seems this love needs to be showed by you is well. thankyou.

(bismillah)