Most-asked question

Are dolls, toys with faces and statues permissible?

82 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Azaadville, Ibn Masood, MUBZ). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“The current day dolls available on the market with facial features resembling a living being are not permitted in Shariah. It is therefore best that one refrains totally from purchasing any such dolls for their children.”

Azaadville — Dolls And Figurines · 30 Oct 2024

“It is not permissible to sell the decorative statues in reference. If the figures or icons on the post cards are of animate objects, then it will not be permissible to sell such postcards.”

AskImam — Selling sculptures and pictures · 11 Apr 2024

“Making statues, dolls, etc. of any animate object is forbidden in Islam. Severe warnings have been sounded in the Ahaadith for the one who gets involved in such actions. Making or carving a statue or being in possession of it is impermissible.”

Mufti Online — Making dolls · 23 Mar 2013

“The donor has given general permission to give it to whoever needs it; hence it can be given to any child that needs the toy, or to a poor child without taking an exchange in return.”

Ibn Masood — Exchanging Toys Intended For Donation · 8 Jul 2024

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Dolls And Figurines Azaadville · 30 Oct 2024
  2. Exchanging Toys Ibn Masood · 2 Aug 2024
  3. Animate Plush Toys and Dolls MUBZ · 3 Jun 2024
  4. Selling sculptures and pictures AskImam · 11 Apr 2024
  5. Keeping a statue of a duck in one's backyard Mufti Online · 28 Sep 2020
  6. The Usage Of Adult Toys Azaadville · 30 Jun 2022
  7. Exchanging Toys Intended For Donation Ibn Masood · 8 Jul 2024
  8. Making dolls without facial features AskImam · 7 Feb 2023
  9. Selling educational toys with pictures of animate objects Mufti Online · 25 Jan 2020
  10. Covering A Dolls Eyes Azaadville · 30 Oct 2024
  11. Children owning un-Islamic toys Ibn Masood · 20 Feb 2024
  12. Children & Toy guns - Can they play with them? AskImam · 13 Oct 2020
  13. Keeping mini dolls and legos Mufti Online · 3 Nov 2018
  14. Permissible Dolls Azaadville · 30 Oct 2024
  15. Making dolls Mufti Online · 23 Mar 2013

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