Islamic Perspective of Home Decoration: Things Dos & Don’ts
My motivation and my desire to serve others are driven entirely by the teachings of Islam. The guiding light for any true Muslim is the Holy Quran, which was revealed to Islam’s Founder, the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
Be Muslim !! Every day I admire how Islam is such a beautiful religion. Islam is a religion without any mythology. Its teachings are simple and intelligible. They are based on reason and sound logic. All the teachings of Islam follow from those basic beliefs, principles, laws and are simple and straightforward and easy is just that we don’t have enough knowledge and sometimes we feel too big to go and learn Islam.
As I had told to you in my last story that if you want to learn about Islamic Shariah law then there are only two authoritative sources of Islamic shariah law : the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad.
Sharia is the law given to us as humans by Allah to govern our life, therefore it is the practical guidance of mankind to live by. It is rooted in the divine teachings of Islam and relates to all aspects of life. Its collective aim is to facilitate justice and benefit for humanity in this life and the hereafter, which makes it very important to Muslims.
As in last article, The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH are two main primary authority sources of Islamic Shariah Law.
The Quran is complete when it comes to the fundamentals. Quran is enough for the guidance of all mankind. The Quran’s message is eternal & universal, transcending our differences in race, color, ethnicity, and nationality. It provides guidance on every facet of human life from economics & the ethics of trade to marriage, divorce, parenting, gender issues, and inheritance.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH is the best Human being and role model for mankind all the time. He is infallible in all aspects of his blissful life. As he lives life, he teaches us how a human should live a life. Every Prophet had been given something unique and distinct by which they are remembered.
The Quran speaks of the importance of the Sunnah (the traditions of the Prophet), for example:
Allah described obedience to the Prophet PBUH as being a part of obedience to Him. Then He made a connection between obedience to Him and obedience to the Prophet PBUH: “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger ” Holy Quran 4:59
The Holy Quran defines principle things and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) explains Quran’s message for us. There are verses in the Quran which tell us to accept as lawful what the Prophet proclaimed lawfully and to accept as unlawful what the Prophet proclaimed unlawfully. Thus, we find guidance for peripheral issues that the Quran has not explicitly addressed.
In my previous article, I had explained about permissible (halal) and the prohibited (Haram) in Islamic Sharia law.
In Islam, everything considered harmful either to the body, mind, soul or society is prohibited (haram), while whatever is beneficial is permissible (halal).
For More Read :
Halal rules are certain specified rules which must be followed by muslims. In Islamic system, each and every individual of society is given equal importance and all such rules and laws which gives due advantage to a particular is prohibited. Any thing which harms the society even including animals is not allowed in these rules. Any money earned without any work involved be it mental, physical or any other way is also not halal, it means prohibiting wrong ways to earn money.
Islamic Perspective About Home Decorations:
Today is a really interesting subject as you saw and read on the title. This is a great subject and I believe most people are curious to know about it which things are permitted and prohibited in Sharia Law for home decoration. I’m sure this story will help a lot of readers, especially new Muslims.
First, we should know and answer some questions before finding an answer from Islamic Shariah.
Why do we want to do home decoration?
This is a big question for me. And what I mean by big is, I’m conscious of it a lot.
First let me give you some background into why?
Most people like to decorate their homes, both inside and out. And there are some their own reasons behind decorating their houses even shops and offices as well.
Home decoration means we are making our lifestyle good and impressive. By decorating your house the way you want, you are essentially creating your own little haven where you feel most comfortable.
However, life should not just be about mere survival. Decorating your home can help you feel like it belongs to you, and can express some part of your personality. It can be beautiful. It can help your life more efficiently in your home. It’s important to decorate your home because being in a place you love is good for you.
Decorating a home is not haram in Islam.
As above said home decoration should reflect you. It is your home and it should reflect your personality, beliefs, and your unique Muslim identity. but there are some basic rules of Islamic home decor how that Muslim families or designers decorating a home for Muslims should follow. A Muslim home should be decorated with love but it should not scream out wealth and extravagance. These rules are a guide to help you create a space where you feel calm, happy, protected, and surrounded by the reminder of Allah.
We Muslims pray 5 daily prayers facing the Ka’ba (this is referred to as the qibla), some if not all can be offered at the mosque. Therefore, we will find a space designed for prayer at the home.
In space planning for the prayer area, one should keep in mind that it should not be in a traffic zone, facing a bathroom, or any distraction.
Privacy is of utmost importance in a Muslim home, so window shades that allow light to penetrate while providing privacy should be selected.
It’s apparent from these hadith that Muslim home decor should avoid using images of living beings such as people, animals, etc. Just because you can’t put up images of living things, doesn’t mean Islamic home decor has to be boring. Whether it’s your bedroom, living room, or office, there are many options such as hanging Islamic wall art of Arabic calligraphy, inspiring typography or landscapes and so much more to decorate the walls of a Muslim home.
Reminders help the believers, so surround your home with decor pieces that constantly remind you of the blessings of Allah and His Greatness. For example, display a stack of dua cards on your dining table, choose accessories with dhikr phrases, like subhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar so you can keep your tongue moist every time you see it. Incorporate an Islamic geometric pattern that evokes the sense of Tawheed in your home.
Shoes bring dirt and impurities to a home. Muslims usually do not wear shoes at home or have a separate pair inside the home. When decorating a Muslim home, adding a shoe rack is a must to avoid a pile at the entrance. Many Muslims treat their houses like mosques, they let their guests know if they want them to take their shoes off before entering their homes.
Salam is the unique greeting of Muslims. Adding a sign that says ‘Salam’ is a great way to reflect your beliefs in your home decor. It's a great reminder to say salam as you enter your home and a conversation piece as you welcome guests.
Houses had to have an inner garden as women were not supposed to be exposed to strangers. The garden was a place for women and children to entertain themselves. A fountain, a pond, or a pool was essential as a classic feature of entertainment and maybe to cool off the house.
Your home is nothing if not personal. Make your home decor unique by reflecting who you are, your personality, beliefs, and your love of Islam.
Islamic Rules For Home Decoration:
There are some things which should be considered to know about them, “ are these prohibited or permitted in Islam?”
1. Ruling Figurative Objects Arts ( Human or animal Shapes Statuses/ Photos ) :
The first rule that every Muslim considers when decorating a Muslim home is not to include any figurative objects in the design plan. This means, no art with human or animal shapes as well as no free-standing statues or animal figures in furniture or accessories.
Choose to decorate with abstract art, landscape scenes, or Islamic calligraphy art instead.
2. Ruling Hang A Dream Catcher:
Firstly: Shirk is the worship of other than Allah, relying on other than Him who ordains everything. Islam forbids the use of amulets (a dream catcher fits this term's definition) as they are a form of shirk. As an inanimate object could somehow “catch” bad dreams. No one can benefit from them and they do not ward off harm, as foolish people have believed. Rather this is a silly superstition with no truth to it.
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “Verily, spells, amulets, and charms are acts of idolatry.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3883
For more know about it :
3. Ruling Hang Pictures on Walls:
Islam considers it haram to hang pictures of people on your walls. Statues of human figures are also haram. However, it is common in Muslim homes to have pictures of people who are rulers of their country. And also Hanging pictures of animate beings is strictly forbidden. Doesn’t matter whether the images are taken as objects of worship or not. The effect is still the same.
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said:
“The angels do not enter a house in which there are pictures..” (Sahıh al Bukhāri)
Why do angels avoid human pictures?
Well! imagine angels as positive energy sources that are attracted to pure hearts and souls. These energies need certain conditions present before they enter a space. Now forget angels for a second. Just think, positive energy flow.
4. Ruling Hang Verses of The Holy Quran on Walls:
Different scholars of Islam have a different perspective over it and have classified it on the basis of ‘good intentions’ and ‘bad intentions’.
Question like this sparks never ending debate.
There is some difference among scholars regarding this topic. Some say that it is halal and there are no conditions which needs to satisfied to make it halal. Some say that hanging Quranic verses is haram. And some say that it is halal given the person who hangs the verses or dua must read it frequently.
Neither is permitted nor prohibited.
The reasoning behind the act is to please Allah and to therefore be under His protection with the act of worship. The recitation of the Quran is an act of ibadah when done by the Muslim and insincerity. But as an act of worship, the simple hanging of the ayat has no role.
However, just like the Qur’an itself being present, the Qur’anic verses hung should be given the same respect by watching one’s language, conversation and actions because it would be disrespectful. The question is, are we mindful of its presents when it is hung in our house or treated like just some ordinary decorative item.
Unfortunately, almost every home has a television set and in most cases, these Islamic frames are in the same vicinity. The filth that is shown and the gutter language on television these days is unbefitting and totally disrespectful to have the Qur’anic verses nearby.
Muslims believe that the Holy Quan should be handled with the deepest respect. However, God is All-Merciful and we cannot be held responsible for what we do in ignorance or by mistake.
Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error.
(Holy Quran 2:286)
Therefore, there is no sin in Islam on the person who mishandles the Quran by accident or without the realization of wrongdoing.
Hanging Islamic frames is nice, but it does not bring “barkat” and if it is disrespected like the examples given above, then it brings the opposite desired effect. It will be a witness against all the wrongs done in your home.
Having a Qur’an in the house does not bring barkat if it is not read, the same with the Qur’anic verses just hanging there would have no effect. If you are looking for barkat, read Qur’an and Salaah in your home and give charity.
There is no harm in keeping the Quran in the bedroom; it is like keeping it in any other rooms provided the place where the Quran is kept is pure. There is also no harm in changing clothes in the room where the Quran is kept as there is no evidence which prohibits this. Therefore, it is not an obligation to cover it when changing clothes. However, the Quran should not be kept open when not reading it as that exposes its chapters and verses to dust, as it is an obligation to protect it well and honour it.
For More Read:
Different scholars of Islam have different perspective over it and have classified it on the basis of ‘good intentions’ and ‘bad intentions’.
I advise you to memorize the verse you wanted to hang. This way you can save money and you can get benefits if you understand the verse and act according to it. Do not hang it in the Wall of your house rather hang it on the wall of your soul’s house. What do you mean by barkat (blessings)? Is it for worldly life or life hereafter? If you want barkat (blessings) for worldly life, then you are foolish. But if it is for life hereafter then yeah, indeed it’s a good saving.
Requested.
Your Imam would be better qualified to answer you.
Final Thoughts:
Islam is not just a religion but also a complete code of life which covers all the aspects of human life. So try to follow and implement teaching in daily life. We just need to understand Islam with Quran and Hadith.
The Quran is a message to all mankind from Allah. The Quran provides guidance for all who are there to seek it. It is meant to be read. Read to be understood. Understood to be beneficial. Beneficial only if acted upon by thoughtful and wise implementation to make your life and HereAfter perfect.
The Sunnah of our prophet Muhammed (PBUH) teaches and helps us stay strong, Quran provides us guidance or road trips for a better life.
Well, Islam is a Protective Religion, Islam wants you to have the best, healthy life. That’s why when you are following this Beautiful religion, there are some things that are Forbidden (not allowed) in the Religion. Whatever is forbidden in the religion probably has a good reason why it is. The most remarkable reason to forbid something in Islam refers to its considerable harm, no matter is physical, mental, economic, social, and so on.
In Islamic jurisprudence, haram is used to refer to any act that is forbidden by Allah. Something forbidden is what Islam has prohibited and has forbidden being done absolutely. Acts that are haram are typically prohibited in the religious texts of the Quran and the Sunnah.
Everything is permissible until proven others by the Quran and the Hadith. There are many things that aren’t allowed. Like Tattoos, having permanent tattoos on your skin changes the beautiful creation of Allah. Allah does not want for you hardship but rather he wants for you ease. so that’s why ham is impermissible because it’s unhealthy. Everything that damages humanity and is against collective co-existing is not allowed in every divine religion and also in Islam.
Islam is a sensible religion. There is a reason behind everything forbidden.
There is a difference between being Islamic and being Muslim. A Muslim home is any house occupied by a Muslim family, not necessarily a house built under the conditions of Islamic teachings, such as a toilet facing the direction of the Ka aba. On the other hand, an Islamic home is one which is found in Islamic countries or a home built by a Muslim using the Islamic housing plans, which are very little, such as making the toilet face anywhere but the ka aba direction.
That being said, certain particularities in Muslim homes can be the absence of paintings of living things, or statues of any sort, finding a corner designated to praying, it's always sacred and the most cleaned area in the home.
Finally, Yes, as you said, Muslims like reasonably luxurious furniture and are accommodating, it's not just Islamic, it's simply been humane.
If I have missed anything, please respectfully let me know and provide a source please and I’ll add it in.
verily good deeds do away with evil deeds.
And that is a reminder for those who remember.
Be patient with yourself. And Keep learning!!
I will be calmer, I will spread love as long as I can, I will live a spiritual life, I would do what I please no matter what and I would prove my theories.
Always start your day by renewing your intention that everything you do for yourself and your community, whether it be your acts of worship or daily chores. It all has to be merely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and Also, I ask Allah (SWT) to make my work dedicated only to him and forgiveness from Allah (SWT), if I have got anything wrong. It is He who is the Hearing, the knowing.
Finally, İ pray Allah to benefit those who read this article and others, grant me truthfulness in what I say and do, preserve my thoughts and my pen from deviation and guide me in all my affairs.
And all praise and thanks are due to Allah, without Whose help and guidance nothing can be accomplished.
May Allah bless and protect you and your faith Ameen.
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