A prominent Islamic scholar has provided formal clarification regarding the permissibility of publishing illustrated children’s literature within the framework of traditional jurisprudence, addressing a query from an author who utilized grant funding to produce a book about a blood disorder.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, a recognized specialist in Islamic sciences and founder of the educational platform SeekersGuidance, addressed a question concerning an illustrated children’s book designed to help young readers understand and cope with a medical condition. The author of the project had sought guidance on whether the book could legally and theologically proceed to print given that its human characters feature abstract artistic choices, including detached heads and limbs, closed eyes, and the deliberate omission of noses and ears.
In his response, Shaykh Rabbani offered reassurance to the creator, confirming that the publication may move forward as planned. The ruling underscores the nuanced approach Islamic jurisprudence takes toward visual arts when those arts are deployed for specific, beneficial societal functions, such as pediatric education and therapeutic recreation.
According to the legal basis outlined in the response, classical and contemporary scholars have historically made accommodations for images and figures created specifically for children. This permissibility is primarily derived from established traditions concerning the early life of Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad. In accounts documented in authentic collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Aisha recounted playing with dolls in the presence of the Prophet, alongside young companions who joined her games. The Prophet acknowledged these playthings and allowed them to remain because they served a constructive purpose in a child’s play, socialization, and upbringing.
Building upon this foundational principle, Shaykh Rabbani explained that a picture book specifically crafted to help a vulnerable child understand a complex blood disorder and face necessary medical treatments with reduced fear falls squarely within that same recognized purpose. While the minimalist and abstract artistic style chosen by the illustrator—featuring disconnected limbs and simplified facial features—further reduces any concerns, the core permission itself is anchored in the noble intent and educational utility of the work, rather than solely on the specific anatomical features that were left out of the drawings.
The scholar commended the author for taking the time to consider the ethical and religious implications of the artwork before a single page was drawn, noting that such diligence and forethought hold significant value. He advised the author to proceed with printing the book with a clear heart, reassuring them that the grant money utilized for the project has been appropriately fulfilled and that no financial or moral obligations are owed back. Furthermore, he encouraged the creator to maintain this same educational and compassionate intention for any potential future editions, expressing hope that the publication serves as a genuine source of relief and comfort for every child and family navigating the challenges of illness.
The clarification highlights the broader academic and advisory work of Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, who has established himself as a prominent figure in global Islamic scholarship. Having spent a decade studying under renowned authorities—including the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, a leading theologian in Damascus, and Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, a prominent Hanafi jurist—Shaykh Rabbani returned to Canada in 2007 to establish SeekersGuidance. The organization was founded to provide reliable, accessible, and relevant Islamic knowledge to communities worldwide through both online and physical mediums.
In addition to his administrative and educational leadership, Shaykh Rabbani is an accomplished author whose notable works include "Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School," published in 2004. His scholarly contributions and leadership have earned him widespread recognition; since 2011, he has been consistently listed among the 500 most influential Muslims globally by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. This latest ruling on children’s literature reflects his ongoing engagement with contemporary questions faced by Muslims navigating professional, educational, and creative endeavors in modern societies.