Thus, using an image falls into three categories:

The first category is to use it as a means of veneration. This is prohibited, whether it is three-dimensional or coloured, and whether the veneration is of a ruler, an act of worship, knowledge, kinship, or companionship—whatever form that veneration may take. In reality, however, there is no true veneration in it. For example, if someone wishes to make an image of his father: if his father is alive, then honouring him consists in giving him the dutiful treatment due to him through one’s words, actions, wealth, social standing, and so forth. If he is dead, he derives no benefit from this veneration; rather, it only earns sin and renews grief. Therefore, whoever possesses an image of this kind must tear it up or burn it, and it is not permissible for him to keep it, because it entails two dangers:

The first danger is that the angels avoid entering the house.

The second danger is that Satan may approach a person through this veneration, until reverence for them takes hold of his heart and gains control over him—especially where knowledge and worship are concerned. The tribulation of Noah’s people arose through images. In this regard, there is no difference between coloured images and three-dimensional ones: whether it is an image on paper, on a cloth, or a three-dimensional image.

The second category is to keep it in a manner that degrades it, such as making it into a floor covering, cushion, pillow, or the like. Concerning this, the scholars differ (1):

The majority of the scholars hold that it is permissible and that there is nothing wrong with it, because