Why Barbie Dolls Are Not Haram in Islam?
C.J Ahmed-13.06.2023
Barbie Dolls have become popular toy with the slender legs of Barbie and macho features of Ken. There is nothing haram in Islam to play or keep Barbie dolls because even the wife of the beloved messenger (sal), Aisha (rali) too played with dolls.
Aisha (rali) narrated
"I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (Sal). And I had girl-friends (playmates) who played along with me. They would hide (feeling shy) from him (Sal) whenever he entered. But, he ( Prophet (Sal)) would call them to join and play with me"
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Aisha(Rali) narrated
Then the side of the curtain which was over the dolls of 'Aa'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) was uncovered. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: What is this, O 'Aa'isha? She said: My dolls. She then said: then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw amongst them a winged horse which was tied up. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: What is this? I said: A horse. He said: A horse with two wings? I said: Didn't you hear that Sulaiman (Solomon - peace be upon him) had horses with wings? Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) laughed" (in another narration his teeth could be seen because of his laughter)
(Sahih Sunan Abu Dawud-Graded Sahih by Albani in Ghaayat al-Maraam)
It is clear from the above hadiths that sleeping with a teddy bear isnot haram in Islam. Muslims should only follow the Quran and the authentic hadiths and shun baseless opinions. Below is a famous erroneous fatwa by a scholar which was carried by a tabloid and it was quoted the following,
“A senior Saudi religious scholar appeared on TV on Monday to advise against people keeping stuffed animals, dolls or puppets in their homes, claiming such behaviour to be haram, or un-Islamic.
Sheikh Abdullah Manea, the religious advisor to Saudi Arabia's royal court, was asked in an interview whether having children's toys in human or animal form in the house would affect prayer.
The high-ranking scholar replied declaring: "We should know the rule regarding stuffed toys depicting animals or other living creatures. They are not permitted in any circumstances. They are haram."
The draconian ruling by Sheikh Manea stems from Islam's shunning of idolatry, which some interpret as never using pictures or objects that depict humans, animals or living creatures in general.
The Quran does not specifically condemn representative art or decoration, yet does decry anything that could be considered an idol, which in turn detracts from and compromises the uniqueness and greatness of God.
Sheikh Manea, who holds enormous influence over Saudi law, it being based on Islamic law and Quranic interpretation, has previously denounced coloured contact lenses as haram.
"If lenses are worn for cosmetic reasons, that would undoubtedly constitute a distortion of God's creation," he said on a chat show in March.” (https://www.newarab.com/news/top-saudi-cleric-slaps-fatwa-stuffed-animals-dolls#:~:text=They%20are%20not%20permitted%20in,or%20living%20creatures%20in%20general.)
Barbie Dolls have become popular toy with the slender legs of Barbie and macho features of Ken. There is nothing haram in Islam to play or keep Barbie dolls because even the wife of the beloved messenger (sal), Aisha (rali) too played with dolls.
Aisha (rali) narrated
"I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet (Sal). And I had girl-friends (playmates) who played along with me. They would hide (feeling shy) from him (Sal) whenever he entered. But, he ( Prophet (Sal)) would call them to join and play with me"
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Aisha(Rali) narrated
Then the side of the curtain which was over the dolls of 'Aa'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) was uncovered. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: What is this, O 'Aa'isha? She said: My dolls. She then said: then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw amongst them a winged horse which was tied up. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: What is this? I said: A horse. He said: A horse with two wings? I said: Didn't you hear that Sulaiman (Solomon - peace be upon him) had horses with wings? Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) laughed" (in another narration his teeth could be seen because of his laughter)
(Sahih Sunan Abu Dawud-Graded Sahih by Albani in Ghaayat al-Maraam)
It is clear from the above hadiths that sleeping with a teddy bear isnot haram in Islam. Muslims should only follow the Quran and the authentic hadiths and shun baseless opinions. Below is a famous erroneous fatwa by a scholar which was carried by a tabloid and it was quoted the following,
“A senior Saudi religious scholar appeared on TV on Monday to advise against people keeping stuffed animals, dolls or puppets in their homes, claiming such behaviour to be haram, or un-Islamic.
Sheikh Abdullah Manea, the religious advisor to Saudi Arabia's royal court, was asked in an interview whether having children's toys in human or animal form in the house would affect prayer.
The high-ranking scholar replied declaring: "We should know the rule regarding stuffed toys depicting animals or other living creatures. They are not permitted in any circumstances. They are haram."
The draconian ruling by Sheikh Manea stems from Islam's shunning of idolatry, which some interpret as never using pictures or objects that depict humans, animals or living creatures in general.
The Quran does not specifically condemn representative art or decoration, yet does decry anything that could be considered an idol, which in turn detracts from and compromises the uniqueness and greatness of God.
Sheikh Manea, who holds enormous influence over Saudi law, it being based on Islamic law and Quranic interpretation, has previously denounced coloured contact lenses as haram.
"If lenses are worn for cosmetic reasons, that would undoubtedly constitute a distortion of God's creation," he said on a chat show in March.” (https://www.newarab.com/news/top-saudi-cleric-slaps-fatwa-stuffed-animals-dolls#:~:text=They%20are%20not%20permitted%20in,or%20living%20creatures%20in%20general.)