As-Salamu ‘Alaykum. I am a dealer who imports clothes, for women and children, which have celebrity photos printed on them. What is the Sharee'ah ruling on my earning? I have large quantities of this type of clothes. If dealing in such clothes is unlawful, what should I do with the clothes I have?

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

According to the scholars' sound opinion regarding this subject, it is unlawful to wear clothes that contain images of animate beings including humans, birds or animals. This also applies to imaginary images, such as a man with a beak, a horse with two wings, bear-like figures and so on. This ruling is based on the general indications of the proofs that support the prohibition of producing images of animate beings. The ruling is also based upon the proofs that indicate that the angels do not enter a house where there is an image. It was narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah that she said:

"The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered while there was a light woolen curtain containing images. Thereupon, the color of his face changed and he picked up the curtain, tore it and then said, "The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Judgment will be those who produce images." [Al-Bukhari]

Since producing images and wearing clothes that contain images are prohibited, trading in such items is prohibited as well, as complying with the rule which states that any means that leads to something prohibited is, in itself, prohibited. Moreover, when Allaah makes something prohibited, He prohibits its price.

Some scholars are of the opinion that it is permissible to wear clothes which contain images because they are worn out in daily use, which dismiss any possibility of veneration. However, this is not actually the case as these images are usually put on these clothes out of respect and veneration for people. That is why they choose images of famous people, as stated in the question.

You should know that the prohibition is graver when these images contain uncovered women or highly regarded figures who, in fact, deserve to be disrespected and scorned, such as the images of the disbelievers and the people of disobedience. These images make the heart attached to such figures, and this weakens the doctrine of allegiance to the believers and disassociation from the disbelievers.

Since you have large quantities of these clothes, we advise you to return them to the exporter and replace them by others, even if you will give up part of the price. According to a group of the scholars, Iqalah (recession of contract with the free consent of both parties) is not considered a form of sale (and so you are not guilty for such a deal). If this option is unavailable, the least to do is to stop importing similar clothes after finishing the quantity you have.

Allaah Knows best.