Decorating walls with curtains

12-10-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

Please I urgently need an answer to this question: Is it prohibited in Islam to decorate walls with curtains that do not bear any picture maybe for a lecture hall or the like?

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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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

The scholars differed in opinion about the ruling of hanging curtains on walls without any need if they do not contain pictures of living objects or are not made of silk. Some scholars forbade it while others are of the view that this is disliked.

Al-Mardaawi from the Hanbali school said: 'There are two opinions whether it is permissible to cover walls with curtains that do not contain any pictures or that they contain pictures of non-living objects: The correct view of our school is that it is disliked, and the second opinion is that this is forbidden.'

There is no doubt that it is more proper not to cover the walls with curtains except when in need. It is confirmed that the companions disliked this. It is confirmed that the Prophet destroyed a curtain which 'Aa'ishah had put on a wall and he said: "Allaah did not order us to cover stones or walls." [Muslim] It is reported that Salmaan disapproved of putting curtains on walls and said: "Is your house hot or is it that the direction of your Qiblah has been changed? I will not enter this house until the curtain is removed and destroyed." [Sa'eed Ibn Mansoor]

However, if there is a need to cover the walls, then the scholars are of the view that this is permissible [when there is a need].

Allaah Knows best.