Adam. They had followers who took them as examples. When they died, those followers said, “If we made images of them, we would be more eager to worship whenever we remembered them.” So they made images of them. When those followers died and another generation arose, Iblīs gradually insinuated to them, “They used to worship them, and through them they were given rain.” So they worshipped them.” 1

This account was also reported from a number of the early generations—may Allah have mercy on them. Ibn al-Qayyim said: “More than one of the early generations said: These were righteous people among the people of Noah—peace be upon him. When they died, the people devoted themselves to their graves. They then made statues of them, and after a long time had passed, they worshipped them.” 2

For this reason, the evidence is mutually corroborative, and numerous reports have been transmitted from the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—prohibiting this, warning against it, sternly condemning it, cursing those who do it, and describing them as among the worst of creation. This is not the practice of the Muslims; rather, it is the practice of the Jews and Christians. Many reports from him convey this meaning.

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrated from Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—that Umm Salama—may Allah be pleased with her—mentioned to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—a church she had seen in Abyssinia and the images it contained. He said: “Whenever a righteous man or a righteous servant among those people died, they built a place of worship over his grave and made those images in it. They are the worst of creation in Allah’s sight.” 3

Muslim narrated in his Sahīh from Jundub ibn Abd Allāh al-Bajalī—may Allah be pleased