Hanging pictures of the Prophet's grave, etc.
1-11-2004 | IslamWeb
Question:
Can you please tell me about a scholar called Roomi who I think was a poet as well? I've heard to totally conflicting opinions and I would like to know with Daleel as they are making his books in English. Is it allowed to hang a picture of the gates of the grave of Rasool, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, in Madeenah on the wall in the house?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
It is permissible in principle to take pictures of things that has no soul, like mountains, walls, farms, trees and all other non-living creatures. This is the opinion of most of the scholars according to the narration of Ibn 'Abbaas 
who said that the Prophet 
said: "Verily, the picture-makers will be punished on Resurrection Day, and they will be asked to bring the thing they made to life." Ibn 'Abbaas said: "If you are obliged to do so, then make an image of a tree or what has no soul." [Bukhari and Muslim] However, it is possible for this principle to be overruled. For instance, if hanging such pictures could lead to a corrupt belief and lead the heart to be attached to these pictures in a prohibited way. In such a case, hanging pictures like that becomes prohibited in order to prevent such improper belief. But if nothing is feared, then the matter remains on its permissibility. In addition, there are Qur'aanic verses on the doors of the grave of the Prophet so whoever wants to hang its pictures, has to clean them regularly or wrap them. Also, when transporting them, one should be careful not to drop them on the floor. As regards Al-Roomi, we were not able to find out exactly who you are referring to because there are many scholars, authors and poets with the same name. So if you send us his full name and other particulars then we might be able to respond to you, Insha Allaah.
Allaah knows best.