243. Keeping A Dog Or An Image In The House

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” (Ibn Maajah -- saheeh by al-Albaani)

So it’s forbidden for us to keep an image that’s 2D or 3D. 

However, the ulama make exception to this ruling of having pictures/figures in the house and say that kids TOYS are EXEMPT and do not fall under this ruling. 

Aaisha radhi Allaahu anhaa had a toy horse and dolls that she used to play with. And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam allowed that. 

She said: 

'I use to play with dolls at the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam’s house, and I had friends that played with me. When the messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would enter they would be shy from him, and he would send them to me to play.' 

(al-Bukhaari)

And she said in the hadeeth about the time when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam returned from Tabuk or Khaybar, and he took down the curtain that had images....

So he uncovered one side of the curtain to find dolls belonging to her. 

He said: 

'What are these oh Aaishah?' 

She said: 

'My dolls.' 

She said: 

He saw amongst them a horse tied that had two wings, so he said: 

'What is this?' 

She replied: 

'A horse' 

He said: 

'A horse that has two wings?' She said: 'Didn't you hear that Sulayman use to have horses with wings?' 

So the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam laughed.' 

(Abu Dawud & An-Nasaa'i --saheeh by al-Albaani). 

Shaikh Assim al-Hakeem was asked if dolls and teddy bears are allowed for children

He said:

“Toys are permissible for children and it is exempted from preventing the Angels from entering the home. However, it is best to cover it before praying in the room.”

And Allaah knows best.