Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam alaikum. I had sent you a mail earlier too on similar matter but didnt get reply till now. I send my query again as it is very urgent and I hope you please reply me to the earliest as possible. I bake cakes and some of my friends ask me to bake for them too. As you know these days kids love to have cake in the shape of dolls, animals and cartoon characters. I would like to know is it haram or prohibited like painting and sculpting in Islam, to bake a cake in shape of dolls, animals and cartoon characters. I have got mixed reviews about it from many wise people. Some say you cannot make 3D some say you cannot make neither 3D nor flat cakes in shape of dolls etc. Some say since you are doing business and not keeping for yourself its alright. Please brother enlighten me in this matter as soon as possible as I keep getting orders for such cakes.

Jazakallah khair

A sister in Islam.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Bake cake in shape of dolls cartoons

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834         Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws)  saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the (animate) picture makers.' "

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.841         Narrated by Abu Talha

The Messenger of Allah (saws)  said, "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house where there are (animate) pictures."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450         Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (saws) that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come, and later on he said, "We Angels, do not enter a house which contains a  (animate) picture,  or a dog."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448         Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

In light of the absolutely clear guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws), it is absolutely and categorically prohibited in Islam for the believers to make a picture or a sculpture of an animate object.

The absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that regardless of whether one creates a picture or a sculpture of an animate object for oneself or for others, regardless of whether it is edible or inedible, etc. it would be deemed prohibited in Islam. 

It would be best for the believers to abstain from baking cakes in the shape of animated creatures, dolls, etc. if indeed they fear Allah and the Last Day.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan