Islamic Law or Tradition?

So, is depicting Muhamad a violation of Islamic law? Or a strict tradition? We can't seem to agree on this.


From the Associated Press, published Feb.2 in the San Francisco Chronicle
Islam forbids visual depictions of the prophet, and regards violations by Muslims as highly sinful and by non-Muslims as the ultimate sort of insult.

The prohibition is in part an application of the Quran's strict opposition to idolatry, the worship of a physical object as a god, including any hint of such devotion toward the faith's revered human prophet.


CBS using an AP report on Feb.2
Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, favorable or otherwise, to prevent idolatry.

The Washington Post, Jan.31
The controversy has pitted two newspapers championing what they say is the cause of free speech against Islam's prohibition of any artistic depiction of the prophet Muhammad, which is considered blasphemous, no matter how benign.


At the BBC
Q&A: Depicting the Prophet Muhammad
Protests have spread across the Muslim world over the publication in Europe of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

The BBC News website looks at why the depictions have caused such offence.

What does the Koran, the holy book of Islam, say on the issue?

There is no specific, or explicit ban in the Koran on images of Allah or the Prophet Muhammad - be they carved, painted or drawn.

However, chapter 42, verse 11 of the Koran does say: "[Allah is] the originator of the heavens and the earth... [there is] nothing like a likeness of Him."

This is taken by Muslims to mean that Allah cannot be captured in an image by human hand, such is his beauty and grandeur. To attempt such a thing is seen as an insult to Allah.

The same is believed to apply to Muhammad.


Newsday, Feb.12
To prevent idolatry, Islamic law forbids any visual depictions - even positive ones - of Muhammad and other major religious figures.


The AP, published by the San Francisco Chronicle on Feb.2:
Islam forbids visual depictions of the prophet, and regards violations by Muslims as highly sinful and by non-Muslims as the ultimate sort of insult.