Sculpture: Difference between revisions
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==== Consensus Among Jurists and its Critique ==== | ==== Consensus Among Jurists and its Critique ==== | ||
There has not been a consensus among jurists regarding the prohibition of sculpture. However, according to Hossein Ali Montazeri, the first person to claim consensus on this issue was | There has not been a consensus among jurists regarding the prohibition of sculpture. However, according to Hossein Ali Montazeri, the first person to claim consensus on this issue was [[Mohaqqeq Karaki]]<ref>Muhaqqeq Karaki, Jame' al-Maqasid, Vol. 4, p. 23.</ref> and no previous jurists have claimed consensus on this matter. This purported consensus has been criticized by jurists such as Sayyid Taqi Tabatabai Qomi and Hossein Ali Montazeri. They argue that this consensus is not a clear or probable proof and believe that there are numerous narrations, transmitted through both Shia and Sunni sources, which may provide plausible evidence for the permissibility of sculpture creation. Hence, they contend that consensus is not an independent proof for this matter. | ||
There is no consensus among jurists regarding the prohibition of sculpture. Sayyid Taqi Tabatabai Qomi and Hossein-Ali Montazeri criticized the alleged consensus, claiming it to be a consensus with known origins<ref>Ijma’ al Madraki is a type of consensus whose origins are currently available in other jurisprudential sources i.e. Qur'an and Prophetic narrations.</ref> or probable evidence and believe that there is a likelihood that the evidence for the jurists' verdict on the prohibition of sculpture comes from numerous narrations in both Shia and Sunni sources. Therefore, they believe that this consensus does not qualify as an independent proof for this matter<ref>Montazeri, Darasat Fi al-Makasib al-Muharammah, Vol. 2, p. 557.</ref>. | There is no consensus among jurists regarding the prohibition of sculpture. Sayyid Taqi Tabatabai Qomi and Hossein-Ali Montazeri criticized the alleged consensus, claiming it to be a consensus with known origins<ref>Ijma’ al Madraki is a type of consensus whose origins are currently available in other jurisprudential sources i.e. Qur'an and Prophetic narrations.</ref> or probable evidence and believe that there is a likelihood that the evidence for the jurists' verdict on the prohibition of sculpture comes from numerous narrations in both Shia and Sunni sources. Therefore, they believe that this consensus does not qualify as an independent proof for this matter<ref>Montazeri, Darasat Fi al-Makasib al-Muharammah, Vol. 2, p. 557.</ref>. | ||
=== Exceptions to the Prohibition === | === Exceptions to the Prohibition === | ||
Despite the widely accepted prohibition on creating sculptures of living beings, some jurists have made exceptions, including: | Despite the widely accepted prohibition on creating sculptures of living beings, some jurists have made exceptions, including: | ||
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== Fatwas and Reasons for Permission == | == Fatwas and Reasons for Permission == | ||
Many jurists who have issued fatwas permitting sculpture base the reason for its prohibition on criteria derived from narrations. They argue that if these criteria are not present, even crafting sculptures of living beings is considered permissible. Some of these viewpoints are as follows: | Many jurists who have issued fatwas permitting sculpture base the reason for its prohibition on criteria derived from narrations. They argue that if these criteria are not present, even crafting sculptures of living beings is considered permissible. Some of these viewpoints are as follows: | ||
• According to Hussein Ali Montazeri, the prohibition of sculpture creation and similar acts in narrations is due to the fact that, at the time these narrations were issued, crafting sculptures was associated with worshipping beings other than God and associating partners to Him. Therefore, if sculpture does not serve this purpose and solely has artistic and cultural aspects, it is considered permissible<ref>Tohidi Tabrizi, Misbah al-Fuqaheh, Vol. 1, p. 369; Safi Golpaygani, Jame' al-Ahkam, Vol. 1, p. 307; Ya'qoubi Isfahani, Al-Mawahib fi Tahreer Ahkam al-Makasib, p. 399.</ref>. | • According to Hussein Ali Montazeri, the prohibition of sculpture creation and similar acts in narrations is due to the fact that, at the time these narrations were issued, crafting sculptures was associated with worshipping beings other than God and associating partners to Him. Therefore, if sculpture does not serve this purpose and solely has artistic and cultural aspects, it is considered permissible<ref>Tohidi Tabrizi, Misbah al-Fuqaheh, Vol. 1, p. 369; Safi Golpaygani, Jame' al-Ahkam, Vol. 1, p. 307; Ya'qoubi Isfahani, Al-Mawahib fi Tahreer Ahkam al-Makasib, p. 399.</ref>. | ||
• Mohammad Ibrahim Jannati considers sculpture creation as one of the valuable arts and argues that, since sculpture in the Islamic Republic of Iran today does not have any impure motives or polytheistic inclinations, the act is permissible<ref>Safi Golpaygani, Jame' al-Ahkam, Vol. 1, p. 308.</ref>. However, he emphasizes that crafting sculptures for the purpose of worship, veneration, and imitating idolaters and polytheists is prohibited<ref> Montazeri, Risaleh Istifta'at, Vol. 2, p. 325.</ref>. | • Mohammad Ibrahim Jannati considers sculpture creation as one of the valuable arts and argues that, since sculpture in the Islamic Republic of Iran today does not have any impure motives or polytheistic inclinations, the act is permissible<ref>Safi Golpaygani, Jame' al-Ahkam, Vol. 1, p. 308.</ref>. However, he emphasizes that crafting sculptures for the purpose of worship, veneration, and imitating idolaters and polytheists is prohibited<ref> Montazeri, Risaleh Istifta'at, Vol. 2, p. 325.</ref>. | ||
• Mohammad Javad Moghniyah believes that if sculpture making is not done for illegitimate purposes but serves intellectual goals, such as highlighting the grandeur and glory of civilizations and their history, it is not problematic<ref> Janati, Nazariyeh Ijtihadi Tafri’ei va Tatbighi, p. 38.</ref>. He also believes that the fatwas prohibiting sculpture lack evidence and are simply precautionary<ref>Janati, Nazariyeh Ijtihadi Tafri’ei va Tatbighi, p. 38; Hosseini, Jawaz Mujassameh-Sazi va Naqashi, p. 213.</ref>. | |||
• Mohammad Javad Moghniyah believes that if sculpture making is not done for illegitimate purposes but serves intellectual goals, such as highlighting the grandeur and glory of civilizations and their history, it is not problematic<ref> Janati, Nazariyeh Ijtihadi Tafri’ei va Tatbighi, p. 38.</ref>. He also believes that the fatwas prohibiting sculpture lack evidence and are simply precautionary<ref>Janati, Nazariyeh Ijtihadi Tafri’ei va Tatbighi, p. 38; Hosseini, Jawaz Mujassameh-Sazi va Naqashi, p. 213.</ref>. | |||
• According to the fatwa of Yousef Saanei, sculpture making itself is not prohibited, and if it is done for intellectual purposes, it is permissible<ref>Mughniyeh, Falsafat Islamiyah, p. 921.</ref>. | • According to the fatwa of Yousef Saanei, sculpture making itself is not prohibited, and if it is done for intellectual purposes, it is permissible<ref>Mughniyeh, Falsafat Islamiyah, p. 921.</ref>. | ||
• Sheikh Javad Tabrizi believes that crafting sculptures of living and non-living beings is permissible, though it is recommended to avoid it<ref>Mughniyeh, Falsafat Islamiyah, p. 921.</ref>. | • Sheikh Javad Tabrizi believes that crafting sculptures of living and non-living beings is permissible, though it is recommended to avoid it<ref>Mughniyeh, Falsafat Islamiyah, p. 921.</ref>. | ||
• Sayyid Ali Khamenei considers crafting sculptures of living beings as permissible and states that buying, selling, keeping, and even displaying them in exhibitions is not problematic<ref>"Mujassameh-sazi va Hunarhay Tajassumi," Website of Grand Ayatollah Sanei.</ref>. | • Sayyid Ali Khamenei considers crafting sculptures of living beings as permissible and states that buying, selling, keeping, and even displaying them in exhibitions is not problematic<ref>"Mujassameh-sazi va Hunarhay Tajassumi," Website of Grand Ayatollah Sanei.</ref>. | ||
== Issues Related to Sculpture == | == Issues Related to Sculpture == | ||