(Note) The context in which this hadith was uttered makes it clear that the images mentioned in it were two-dimensional. It was to these that he, peace and blessings be upon him, referred when he said in its first narration, “…these images.” Interpreting it as referring to three-dimensional images is therefore very far from correct. Allah’s help is sought.

The nature of the figures depicted on the curtain is clarified in a narration from Hishām ibn Urwa, from his father, from Aisha, who said:

“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, returned from a journey while I had hung over my doorway a woolen hanging depicting winged horses. He ordered me to remove it, so I did.” Another narration states: “She said: So he tore it down.”

It was narrated by Muslim (6/158), al-Nasā’ī (2/301), and Ahmad (6/208, 281); the latter narration is his.

This narration shows that the prohibition is not limited to images that are revered and exalted, for winged horses are not objects of veneration. Do you not see that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, allowed Lady Aisha to play with the aforementioned horse figurines, as will appear in hadith (128)?

120 — (He, peace be upon him, stated that “whoever makes an image will be required on the Day of Resurrection to breathe a soul into it, but he will never be able to do so.” Narrated by al-Bukhārī and others.)
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Authentic. It was narrated by al-Bukhārī (4/106), Muslim as well (6/162), al-Nasā’ī (2/301), and Ahmad (1/241, 350), through al-Nadr ibn Anas ibn Mālik, who said:

“I was sitting with Ibn Abbas as he issued legal opinions without saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said…’ Then a man questioned him, saying, ‘I am a man who makes these images.’ Ibn Abbas said, ‘Have him come closer.’ The man drew near, and Ibn Abbas said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say…’” He then related the hadith.

The words “into it, ever” do not appear in their narrations. They occur only in al-Bukhārī—