As Salam Alaykum. I was wondering, what is the view on using comics as a means of giving dawah and spreading islam? If the comics are drawn to expose both teenagers and young adults (muslim and non-muslim alike) to islam, is it permissible to draw them? Or should one have the characters without a mouth, nose and neck? Jazakallah.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Calling to Allah should not be with comics and funny cartoons that revolve about ridiculing and making mockery of others.

As for cartoons that are free of ridicule and mockery, then we have already discussed about cartoons in many Fatawa. The summary that can be said about them is: The basic principle is that it is forbidden to draw pictures of animate beings with their complete body forms, but we hold the view that it is permissible to draw purposeful cartoons and useful stories for children, for the purpose of teaching them and entertaining them.

We have issued a Fatwa that this is permissible for many considerations, the most important of which is based on the view of the majority of scholars about excluding from the prohibition what is for children for the purpose of teaching them what would rectify them and is good for them, and which they will feel comfortable with, or which was for Da’wah and virtue, and teaching Islamic values and morals and the like. The evidence for this is what was proven in the Hadeeth on the authority of the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah that she used to play with dolls with some of her female friends. She said: “I used to play with dolls in the presence of the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and I had female friends who would play with me. When the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, entered, they would hide from him, and he would call them to come and play with me.” [Al-Bukhari]

Also, another consideration that makes it permissible is that by looking at the reality, we consider that finding meaningful visual alternatives that include elements of success that are able to compete in a world where families and children spend much of their time watching television, videos, and Internet pages, ….Therefore, we believe that the preparation of such materials is an urgent need, and a preponderant interest, for which what is lesser than it, which is classified in the category of Islamic violations by partial consideration, is forgiven.

Moreover, the widespread affliction is that films of all kinds are watched by the general categories of the society, and it is known that most of what is watched – if not all of it – is inconsistent with the ethics of Islam; rather, it is totally or partially outside its guidance.

Of course, it is neither wise nor sound consideration to leave these people as prey to these destructive films on the grounds that photography, for example, or featuring is forbidden, whereas some cases have been excluded, such as filming for documentation, and featuring for education...and so on. What we are dealing with is more dangerous in its impact and is more appropriate to be exempted and considered.

For more benefit on the prohibition of drawing living beings, please refer to Fatawa 90288, 82806 and 336841.

For more benefit on drawing images without the eyes, nose and mouth, please refer to Fatwa 380557.

Allah Knows best.