Taxidermy

Question

What is the ruling of the animals stuffed head?

Answer

If the head is not stuffed and the animal’s skin together with the head is simply tanned and kept as a rug, etc,, it will not be in the ruling of a tasweer/picture as this is the original head and skin of the animal and it was not drawn or fashioned in any way by a human being. However, if the head, etc. is stuffed as is normally done at the taxidermist, then it will fall under the law of a tasweer and one will not be permitted to stuff it, mount it and display it on a wall, etc. 

The reason for this is that it will now resemble a statuette and it is statuettes of this type that could lead to further evil such as future generations beginning to revere it (due to the trickery and trappings of the Shaytaan), thus potentially resulting in idol worshipping.

Checked and Approved By:

Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.

References

Fataawa Mahmudiyya-Meerut Edition; Vol. 29, Pg. 309 (to be read in conjunction with the foootnotes)

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