Hadeeth on removing images from the Ka'bah

14-1-2008 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is there a Hadeeth indicating that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered all images that the disbelievers put inside the Ka‘bah to be removed? If yes, does this Hadeeth mention whether he left the image of ‘Eesa (Jesus, may Allaah exalt his mention,) or not? May Allaah reward you.

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Answer:

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.

 

It was reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered all images inside the Ka'bah to be obliterated, including an image of Maryam (Mary, may Allaah exalt her mention) mother of 'Eesa . 

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, refused to enter the Ka‘bah in Makkah until all idols were removed, as he had ordered. He also ordered all images, including the images of Ibraaheem (Abraham) and Ismaa‘eel (Ishmael), may Allaah exalt their mention, to be taken out.  [Al-Bukhari] In another narration, it was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered the companions to bring him a dampened piece of cloth, and he wiped their images with it. [Ibn Abu Shaybah]

It was also narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab to go to the Ka‘bah and obliterate all the images in it. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not enter it until all the images were obliterated except the image of Ibraaheem and Mary, may Allaah exalt her mention, which 'Umar left untouched. 

Upon seeing them, the Prophet ordered ‘Umar to remove them as well. [Abu Daawood, Ibn Sa’d and Muhammad ibn ‘Umar]

Allaah Knows best.