without effacing it.” (1) The apparent meaning of this is that it refers to painted images, not three-dimensional ones; for had it referred to three-dimensional images, he would have said, “without breaking it,” or something similar.

Sadly, in our present age this has become an art that is taught, sanctioned, and for which people are praised. If someone depicts a cow, a camel, or a human being, they say, “How skilful he is! How capable he is!” and the like. There is no doubt that this constitutes approval of something that is among the major sins. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said—as he relates from Allah: “Who is more unjust than one who sets out to create as I create?” (2) That is, no one is more unjust than one who seeks to share with the Creator in His act of creation. This is wrongdoing and audacity toward Allah: you seek to liken yourself—though you are created—to the Creator.

Allah then challenged them, saying: “Let them create a tiny ant, or let them create a grain of barley.” Allah challenged them with two things: one possessing a soul, namely the tiny ant, which is among the smallest of creatures; and one without a soul, namely a grain of barley. They would be incapable of this even if they all gathered together, from Adam until the Day of Resurrection.

If it is said: Artificial rice now exists which resembles real rice; is its manufacture prohibited? The answer is that it is not like real rice. If you were to place it in the soil and pour water over it night and day, it would not sprout. But what is it that sprouts?

The answer is: what sprouts is the creation of Allah, as the Exalted says: “Indeed, Allah is the Cleaver of grain and date-stones.” [Surah al-An‘am, 6:95] Thus, this does not invalidate